With the NFL draft one week away, rumors are in the air. Will Burge (@WillBuge) tweeted today “4+ years removed from the game and Id still put my sources up against anyone. Something big is brewing.” Burge used to work for ESPN & Bleacher Report, so there is a possibility something big is in the works, however I’m not sure it involves the Browns. But than again, the week before the draft is also known as silly season. As for the Browns and the draft, anything is possible at pick 26. They could draft a cornerback, edge, safety, wide receiver or defensive tackle. GM Andrew Berry could surprise everyone and package pick 26 and a few other picks and move up for a certain player. Or he could stand pat and let the draft come to him. I do know the Browns have talked to CB Jaycee Horn a couple of times. Horn will not fall to number 26 no matter how strange the draft becomes.
As every Browns fan knows, DT Sheldon Richardson was released last Friday for salary cap reasons. The move saved the Browns about $12 million and now they are $21.4 million under the cap. There is hope Richardson will return for less money. As of today, I have not heard of any teams interested in bringing him in for a visit or what kind of salary he’s looking for. For reference, former Titan DT DaQuan Jones received a one year contract from Carolina this week for about $4 million. As a former first round drat pick, I’m sure Richardson feels he’s worth more. Hopefully he’ll return. The Browns still have offers out to a few veteran cornerbacks and all it would take is for one of them to accept. There are still rumors the Browns might trade for Stephon Gilmore of New England. It might be a draft day trade and the asking price is a third rounder and another lower pick this year or a pick next year. The problem with Gilmore, the Browns would have to extend and redo his contract. Currently he is due to make $7.3 million for 2021. He’s 31, so the contract would have to be for 2021 & 2022.
So what is Andrew Berry going to do next week? If I knew that answer I’d be a very rich man next week. I think the Browns will stay at number 26 and let the draft come to them. It worked last year so why mess with a good thing. I think the surprise would be if the Browns selected a wide receiver at 26. If Elijah Moore were to fall to 26, then, yeah I would draft him in a heartbeat. If not a WR then a cornerback. Someone like Greg Newsome, Assante Samuel, Elijah Molden or Ifeatu Melifonwu. I could also see them drafting Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. I see him more of a safety than a linebacker and he’s a versatile disruptive force like Clowney.
A few final notes, the NFL announced they’ll drop the 2021 schedule on May 12. Only the NFL could announce and announcement and it would be big news. Also the next episode of “Building The Browns” will air on YouTube this Sunday at 10:30 am Central time. This show feeds my Browns Sunday habit. Next week I’ll have my final Dawgpoundsouth.net Browns mock draft. Everyone stay safe, get vaccinated and Go Browns.