Draft Preview Part 1: First, Let's Step Back

Browns Draft Preview Part 1: First, Let's Step Back

Before I dive into sharing my thoughts on the Cleveland Browns upcoming draft, I wanted to take a step back and reflect on the Browns’ approach to this offseason.

Simply put: the Cleveland Browns front office and I had fundamentally different perspectives as to what should have been done.

Andrew Berry & Co. believe this organization is close and that they are a couple pieces away for competing for a Super Bowl.

And I believe, along with probably everyone outside of the walls of Berea, that this is a ridiculous statement and the Browns are pretty far away.

This team went 3-14 last year, they have an aging core, and there are so many more questions than answers.

Oh, and let’s not forget — you’ve got to go through juggernauts like Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen just to sniff a Super Bowl. And in the AFC North alone, you’re looking at Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson, two more top-five quarterbacks. That’s the mountain we have to climb.

If it were up to me, I wouldn’t be leaning into the “we’re close” narrative. I would’ve taken a different approach focused on injecting high level, young talent onto this roster. Think about what the Texans did a few years ago — ironically, thanks to the Browns in many ways.

The first step I would have done is granted Myles Garrett’s trade request. Let’s be clear: I love Myles. He’s a generational talent, and I am grateful for everything he has done for the Browns and our city.

But if the Bears were offering this year’s first and next year’s first, I would’ve done that deal in a heartbeat. That would’ve given the Browns three picks in the top 33 this year, and two first-rounders next year — in a quarterback-rich draft class. Also, just remember, as crazy as it sounds, Myles turns 30 this year.

My vision for this team would not have been a rebuild, it would be a reset. Stay competitive, fight for a wild card spot — which we will likely be doing anyway, but do it with a core that is young and gushing with talent.

So why didn’t the Browns take this approach?

Well, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure it out: Andrew Berry and Kevin Stefanski simply couldn’t. They’re in win-now mode because they have to be. Their jobs are on the line. This is probably their last shot to prove they can win in Cleveland.

And while I can’t blame them for taking this strategy, as I would likely do the same in their shoes, I do believe that this isn’t the best approach for the long-term future of the Browns.

I hope I am wrong. I hope that this strategy is the right approach. Additionally, I do want Berry and Stefanski to succeed. They seem like great family men and sharp football minds/ However, I do believe that the business side of the sport is guiding our strategy and that is not a place I want to be.

Now that I’ve gotten this off my chest, I’m excited to share a couple upcoming pieces on what I think the Browns should do in this draft to best optimize the strategy they have taken.

I will likely change my mind 5-10 times from now until the draft and be wrong at every juncture but hey, this is what it is all about!

Spoiler alert:

• The plan does not involve drafting a QB in the top 5 of the draft.

• The plan does involve drafting a quarterback in the first two rounds of the draft.

Stay tuned.