Fixing the Browns - 01/02/20 04:17 PM
linky
By Ellis L. Williams, cleveland.com
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- After two seasons and a 13-18-1 record, John Dorsey is out as Browns general manager. Cleveland underachieved in 2019. From the regression of quarterback Baker Mayfield to several in-season suspensions, a 6-10 record and everything in between, owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam decided Dorsey’s time was up.
Whoever takes his place will have a lot of work to do, but also plenty to build upon.
The next GM must figure out what caused Mayfield to fall from a record-setting rookie season to a sophomore campaign littered with poor footwork, inaccurate throws, turnovers and bad reads. Key parts of the offensive line are a mess. Fixing it will require significant draft capital. Cleveland has plenty of offseason decisions to make regarding several in-house players.
With more than $50 million in cap space for 2020 -- well above league average -- the next GM should have enough flexibility to construct a roster which Dorsey didn’t last long enough to complete. The next GM must also address positions of ignored need -- specifically tight end, linebacker and offensive line -- while also correcting Dorsey’s whiffs at safety and No. 3 receiver.
The Browns’ foundation remains with Mayfield, Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, Jarvis Landry, Odell Beckham Jr., Joel Bitonio and JC Tretter. Defensively, Myles Garrett will be reinstated at some point and cornerbacks Denzel Ward and Greedy Williams are two young talents with potential.
Let’s take a look at five things the next GM in Cleveland must get right in 2020.
1. Get Mayfield right (or nothing else matters)
Whether you fancy analytics, the eye test or fantasy football, every metric shows Mayfield regressed. That is why the next GM must first identify why Mayfield played so poorly in his 22 touchdown/21 interception 2019. The answer isn’t as simple as simply blaming Freddie Kitchens, the offensive line or Beckham.
Mayfield’s footwork and overall mechanics were sloppy, proven by video tape (and too many throws sailing high). Two recent throws stand out. First, against Cincinnati in Week 14. Despite a clean pocket and an open receiver, Mayfield threw an out-of-control rocket toward KhaDarel Hodge.
When in doubt, Mayfield leaned on his fastball too often in 2019. Even receivers Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr. suggested he tone down his velocity. But against the Cardinals in Week 15, Mayfield again let another ball sail on early red-zone throw to Beckham.
Mayfield rips it high and outside on what should’ve been a touchdown.
Seeing Mayfield in this form strikes concern. But he is far from irredeemable. The next GM must surround Mayfield with a head coach, offensive coordinator and quarterback coach who share a singular vision centered on play-action passes and driving the ball downfield. Those are Mayfield’s strengths.
Solution: Fix his fundamentals and place him in advantageous situations (12 personnel -- one running back and two tight ends -- to be precise). If the new regime cannot do that then nothing else matters.
2. Allocate a lot of draft capital to the offensive line
The Browns hold eight picks in the 2020 draft, including the No. 10 selection. After that, the next GM will select in the second round, twice in the third, once in the fourth, twice in the sixth and once in the seventh.
Luckily for Cleveland, the 2020 draft is filled with promising offensive line talent. Four or five linemen rank within the top 30 prospects on most draft boards. Pro Football Focus projects three tackles will be selected within the first eight picks, which sounds like classic Browns luck. But mock drafts are never 100 percent accurate, and chances are one falls.
Jedrick Willis of Alabama, Andrew Thomas of Georgia and Tristan Wirfs of Iowa are considered the top three tackles. Cleveland should be aggressive in landing one. If that means trading up, so be it.
In later rounds, drafting one or two more linemen is also a must. The Browns don’t just need help at tackle. Right guard was an issue all season. Like much of the offense, Cleveland remained relatively healthy in 2019. Assuming such good fortune again is going against the odds. Drafting for depth on the offensive line should be prioritized.
3. Do not lose Kareem Hunt
When Hunt returned from league suspension in Week 10 against Buffalo, the offense benefited immensely from the presence of 2017′s leading rusher.
Hunt averaged 57 scrimmage yards per game on an average of 10 touches. But his influence was far more than stats. Whether he was lead blocking, rushing, receiving or lining up in the slot, Hunt arguably was the most important offensive player in 2019.
Perhaps the greatest thing Kitchens accomplished in Cleveland was showing the NFL that two-running back systems can still flourish. Here is one play from his regular-season debut where Hunt showcases his brand of football.
His aggressiveness and strength pop off the screen. On the snap, Hunt launches left, finding the hole made between tackle Greg Robinson (78) and tackle Joel Bitonio (75), identifies Bills safety Micah Hyde (23) and moves him out of the play.
Good luck finding another running back with Hunt’s skill set willing to lay his body on the line like that. Letting Hunt walk would be a mistake. We all know what he can do with the ball in his hands, and what he does without it is irreplaceable.
4. Be aggressive in free agency
With money to spend in 2020, the next GM should be aggressive in free agency. While forecasting free agency moves is like predicting the weather, there are two names that stand out as ideal fits for Cleveland.
First, Atlanta tight end Austin Hooper. It’s no secret Mayfield looks for his tight end often. Whether teams were leaving Browns tight ends open on purpose or Mayfield just enjoys the quarterback’s so-called “security blanket,” the combination of David Njoku, Ricky Seals-Jones, Demetrius Harris and rookie Stephen Carlson consumed a healthy portion of target
No tight end has more TDs this season than Austin Hooper.
52 catches, 591 yards, 5 TDs for HOOOOOOOOP.
Rather than trying to get lucky in the draft, landing a known commodity in Hooper would instantly take the offense to the next level and make finding a No. 3 receiver less of a priority.
Hooper finished 2019 fifth in receptions among tight ends (75), sixth in yards (787) and tied for fourth in touchdowns with six. Pro Football Focus rated him 10th-best with a 78.2 grade. As an unrestricted free agent coming off a career season at 25, Hooper can sign where he pleases, though Atlanta sounds eager to retain him.
Defensively, the Browns could use a veteran linebacker, and Bears inside backer Danny Trevathan would fit regardless of scheme. He also could come at a discount considering he broke his elbow gruesomely in early November and landed on the IR. He’ll turn 30 in March, which hurts his negotiating leverage.
In his eighth NFL season -- four with the Broncos, four with the Bears -- he had 70 tackles, two for a loss, a sack and a forced fumble in nine games. In 2018, he recorded 102 tackles, two sacks and two interceptions over 16 games as a cornerstone of Chicago’s league-best defense.
With Joe Schobert likely gone and the future of Christian Kirksey in limbo, Trevathan makes sense.
5. Build the middle of the roster with smart, affordable talent
Ultimately, Dorsey ignored the middle of his roster. He built the top with big names like Olivier Vernon, Beckham and Hunt, but ignored developing a No. 3 receiver, grooming a future tight end or long-term run-stopping linebacker. He whiffed on safeties Damarious Randall and Jermaine Whitehead.
Schobert had a career year, but it seems unlikely a new GM would come in and pay him top dollar. Kitchens and Dorsey cut 2018 fourth-round pick Antonio Callaway and basically pushed fellow receiver Rashard Higgins out of town.
At tight end, Dorsey/Kitchens did essentially the same thing to 2017 first-rounder David Njoku. Though Njoku broke his wrist in Week 2, the backups Dorsey bought in (Harris and Seals-Jones) didn’t make enough meaningful plays. At safety, Whitehead was cut in November and Randall butted heads with Kitchens several times.
How can the next GM find smart and affordable talent? Well first, look no further than the current roster. Higgins and Njoku could be poised for a rebound if the new regime mends both relationships. Cutting ties with Njoku would make sense, but Higgins could be the perfect complement to Beckham’s and Landry’s skill sets.
Defensively, hybrid cornerback Eric Murray is seeking a new contract. He is an unrestricted free agent who when healthy played any role the Browns asked. He is comfortable at outside corner, nickel, safety and even outside linebacker at times.
Murray was drafted by Dorsey in Kansas City and the Browns acquired him last spring. Most GMs want to flood their roster with talent they’ve selected, but bringing back Murray and Higgins makes sense when identifying beneficial middle-class roster moves.
What we learned
January in Cleveland usually means Browns ownership embarks on a rebuilding mission. The next head coach-GM combination will be the 12th and 11th, respectively, since 1999, and the Haslams’ fifth new regime in seven seasons.
However, surveying recent rebuilding success stories should provide hope. Take the Colts for example. Owner Jim Irsay is far from a respected football mind, but his hirings of general manager Chris Ballard and head coach Frank Reich transformed the front office from dumpster fire to one of the league’s most stable situations.
The stakes are high. If the next GM/head coach botch this, Mayfield is likely doomed and the Browns will spend the first half of the 2020s searching for another quarterback and even more head coaches.
By Ellis L. Williams, cleveland.com
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- After two seasons and a 13-18-1 record, John Dorsey is out as Browns general manager. Cleveland underachieved in 2019. From the regression of quarterback Baker Mayfield to several in-season suspensions, a 6-10 record and everything in between, owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam decided Dorsey’s time was up.
Whoever takes his place will have a lot of work to do, but also plenty to build upon.
The next GM must figure out what caused Mayfield to fall from a record-setting rookie season to a sophomore campaign littered with poor footwork, inaccurate throws, turnovers and bad reads. Key parts of the offensive line are a mess. Fixing it will require significant draft capital. Cleveland has plenty of offseason decisions to make regarding several in-house players.
With more than $50 million in cap space for 2020 -- well above league average -- the next GM should have enough flexibility to construct a roster which Dorsey didn’t last long enough to complete. The next GM must also address positions of ignored need -- specifically tight end, linebacker and offensive line -- while also correcting Dorsey’s whiffs at safety and No. 3 receiver.
The Browns’ foundation remains with Mayfield, Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, Jarvis Landry, Odell Beckham Jr., Joel Bitonio and JC Tretter. Defensively, Myles Garrett will be reinstated at some point and cornerbacks Denzel Ward and Greedy Williams are two young talents with potential.
Let’s take a look at five things the next GM in Cleveland must get right in 2020.
1. Get Mayfield right (or nothing else matters)
Whether you fancy analytics, the eye test or fantasy football, every metric shows Mayfield regressed. That is why the next GM must first identify why Mayfield played so poorly in his 22 touchdown/21 interception 2019. The answer isn’t as simple as simply blaming Freddie Kitchens, the offensive line or Beckham.
Mayfield’s footwork and overall mechanics were sloppy, proven by video tape (and too many throws sailing high). Two recent throws stand out. First, against Cincinnati in Week 14. Despite a clean pocket and an open receiver, Mayfield threw an out-of-control rocket toward KhaDarel Hodge.
When in doubt, Mayfield leaned on his fastball too often in 2019. Even receivers Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr. suggested he tone down his velocity. But against the Cardinals in Week 15, Mayfield again let another ball sail on early red-zone throw to Beckham.
Mayfield rips it high and outside on what should’ve been a touchdown.
Seeing Mayfield in this form strikes concern. But he is far from irredeemable. The next GM must surround Mayfield with a head coach, offensive coordinator and quarterback coach who share a singular vision centered on play-action passes and driving the ball downfield. Those are Mayfield’s strengths.
Solution: Fix his fundamentals and place him in advantageous situations (12 personnel -- one running back and two tight ends -- to be precise). If the new regime cannot do that then nothing else matters.
2. Allocate a lot of draft capital to the offensive line
The Browns hold eight picks in the 2020 draft, including the No. 10 selection. After that, the next GM will select in the second round, twice in the third, once in the fourth, twice in the sixth and once in the seventh.
Luckily for Cleveland, the 2020 draft is filled with promising offensive line talent. Four or five linemen rank within the top 30 prospects on most draft boards. Pro Football Focus projects three tackles will be selected within the first eight picks, which sounds like classic Browns luck. But mock drafts are never 100 percent accurate, and chances are one falls.
Jedrick Willis of Alabama, Andrew Thomas of Georgia and Tristan Wirfs of Iowa are considered the top three tackles. Cleveland should be aggressive in landing one. If that means trading up, so be it.
In later rounds, drafting one or two more linemen is also a must. The Browns don’t just need help at tackle. Right guard was an issue all season. Like much of the offense, Cleveland remained relatively healthy in 2019. Assuming such good fortune again is going against the odds. Drafting for depth on the offensive line should be prioritized.
3. Do not lose Kareem Hunt
When Hunt returned from league suspension in Week 10 against Buffalo, the offense benefited immensely from the presence of 2017′s leading rusher.
Hunt averaged 57 scrimmage yards per game on an average of 10 touches. But his influence was far more than stats. Whether he was lead blocking, rushing, receiving or lining up in the slot, Hunt arguably was the most important offensive player in 2019.
Perhaps the greatest thing Kitchens accomplished in Cleveland was showing the NFL that two-running back systems can still flourish. Here is one play from his regular-season debut where Hunt showcases his brand of football.
His aggressiveness and strength pop off the screen. On the snap, Hunt launches left, finding the hole made between tackle Greg Robinson (78) and tackle Joel Bitonio (75), identifies Bills safety Micah Hyde (23) and moves him out of the play.
Good luck finding another running back with Hunt’s skill set willing to lay his body on the line like that. Letting Hunt walk would be a mistake. We all know what he can do with the ball in his hands, and what he does without it is irreplaceable.
4. Be aggressive in free agency
With money to spend in 2020, the next GM should be aggressive in free agency. While forecasting free agency moves is like predicting the weather, there are two names that stand out as ideal fits for Cleveland.
First, Atlanta tight end Austin Hooper. It’s no secret Mayfield looks for his tight end often. Whether teams were leaving Browns tight ends open on purpose or Mayfield just enjoys the quarterback’s so-called “security blanket,” the combination of David Njoku, Ricky Seals-Jones, Demetrius Harris and rookie Stephen Carlson consumed a healthy portion of target
No tight end has more TDs this season than Austin Hooper.
52 catches, 591 yards, 5 TDs for HOOOOOOOOP.
Rather than trying to get lucky in the draft, landing a known commodity in Hooper would instantly take the offense to the next level and make finding a No. 3 receiver less of a priority.
Hooper finished 2019 fifth in receptions among tight ends (75), sixth in yards (787) and tied for fourth in touchdowns with six. Pro Football Focus rated him 10th-best with a 78.2 grade. As an unrestricted free agent coming off a career season at 25, Hooper can sign where he pleases, though Atlanta sounds eager to retain him.
Defensively, the Browns could use a veteran linebacker, and Bears inside backer Danny Trevathan would fit regardless of scheme. He also could come at a discount considering he broke his elbow gruesomely in early November and landed on the IR. He’ll turn 30 in March, which hurts his negotiating leverage.
In his eighth NFL season -- four with the Broncos, four with the Bears -- he had 70 tackles, two for a loss, a sack and a forced fumble in nine games. In 2018, he recorded 102 tackles, two sacks and two interceptions over 16 games as a cornerstone of Chicago’s league-best defense.
With Joe Schobert likely gone and the future of Christian Kirksey in limbo, Trevathan makes sense.
5. Build the middle of the roster with smart, affordable talent
Ultimately, Dorsey ignored the middle of his roster. He built the top with big names like Olivier Vernon, Beckham and Hunt, but ignored developing a No. 3 receiver, grooming a future tight end or long-term run-stopping linebacker. He whiffed on safeties Damarious Randall and Jermaine Whitehead.
Schobert had a career year, but it seems unlikely a new GM would come in and pay him top dollar. Kitchens and Dorsey cut 2018 fourth-round pick Antonio Callaway and basically pushed fellow receiver Rashard Higgins out of town.
At tight end, Dorsey/Kitchens did essentially the same thing to 2017 first-rounder David Njoku. Though Njoku broke his wrist in Week 2, the backups Dorsey bought in (Harris and Seals-Jones) didn’t make enough meaningful plays. At safety, Whitehead was cut in November and Randall butted heads with Kitchens several times.
How can the next GM find smart and affordable talent? Well first, look no further than the current roster. Higgins and Njoku could be poised for a rebound if the new regime mends both relationships. Cutting ties with Njoku would make sense, but Higgins could be the perfect complement to Beckham’s and Landry’s skill sets.
Defensively, hybrid cornerback Eric Murray is seeking a new contract. He is an unrestricted free agent who when healthy played any role the Browns asked. He is comfortable at outside corner, nickel, safety and even outside linebacker at times.
Murray was drafted by Dorsey in Kansas City and the Browns acquired him last spring. Most GMs want to flood their roster with talent they’ve selected, but bringing back Murray and Higgins makes sense when identifying beneficial middle-class roster moves.
What we learned
January in Cleveland usually means Browns ownership embarks on a rebuilding mission. The next head coach-GM combination will be the 12th and 11th, respectively, since 1999, and the Haslams’ fifth new regime in seven seasons.
However, surveying recent rebuilding success stories should provide hope. Take the Colts for example. Owner Jim Irsay is far from a respected football mind, but his hirings of general manager Chris Ballard and head coach Frank Reich transformed the front office from dumpster fire to one of the league’s most stable situations.
The stakes are high. If the next GM/head coach botch this, Mayfield is likely doomed and the Browns will spend the first half of the 2020s searching for another quarterback and even more head coaches.