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We are through six games in the 2017 NFL season, and the Cleveland Browns are still winless. There are a lot of questions that can be asked about what is wrong with this franchise, but let’s narrow it down to this offseason. If the Browns could go back and change one offseason move, what would it be?
There were actually a lot of good moves the franchise made this offseason, such as:
- Staying at No. 1 overall to draft DE Myles Garrett
- Extending the contracts of OLB Jamie Collins, OLB Christian Kirksey, and LG Joel Bitonio
- Signing RG Kevin Zeitler, C J.C. Tretter, and CB Jason McCourty
What could have gone different?
1. The handling of the WR position. In fairness, Terrelle Pryor put the team in a difficult spot here. He was one of the few bright spots of the 2016 season and many fans adored him (half because we cling to anyone who shows a glimpse of talent after how bad things have been). The Browns were not at fault for Pryor leaving -- they made the most lucrative offer, and he decided to go elsewhere.
However, while the team repaired several spots on the team this offseason, most notable the offensive line, they failed when it came to the receiver position. They threw their money at Kenny Britt, and he’s had a Dwayne Bowe-like start to the season. With Corey Coleman sidelined, the team’s most intriguing receivers are Kasen Williams and Bryce Treggs, guys who would be practice squad players elsewhere. The free agent market wasn’t exactly oozing with talent, but still, there’s no arguing that something could have gone better at this position.
2. The decision at No. 12 overall. After the draft, I said that I understood the front office’s desire to trade down (helping them have three first round picks this year, and pick up a first-rounder in 2018), but that I wish the Browns would’ve stayed put and drafted S Malik Hooker at No. 12 overall.
You can look at this from multiple angles. Hooker has undoubtedly been more productive than S Jabrill Peppers. And, even though fans hate to acknowledge that another quarterback the team passes on looks pretty darn good, Cleveland did hand QB Deshaun Watson to the Texans at No. 12 overall. I can’t make a direct comparison there to QB DeShone Kizer like I did the safety position, though, because the only reason Kizer was selected was because of how far he had fallen in the second round.
3. The quarterback position. This one does not include who the Browns drafted. Instead, it includes a combination of the release of QB Josh McCown and keeping QB Brock Osweiler as long as they did. After releasing McCown, this team lacked a veteran quarterback. He didn’t win many games as a Browns starter, but he had good ball placement and could move the offense along. He’s helped the Jets to three straight wins and a near-victory over the Patriots this year.
While I still like the acquisition of a second round pick to eat Osweiler’s salary, somewhere along the line, the Browns got the idea that Brock could possibly be in the hunt to start for the team in 2017. Instead, what that actually did was take reps away from Cody Kessler, DeShone Kizer, and Kevin Hogan. I also believe it created an awkwardness in the quarterback room, given how the whole acquisition transpired. We even wasted two preseason games on Osweiler instead of seeing how someone else could work with the ones.
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What do you think, Browns fans?
Poll
If the Browns could go back and change one offseason move, what would it be?
This poll is closed
-
32%
The handling of the WR position (Pryor & Britt)
-
41%
The decision at No. 12 overall (Traded down, passed on Hooker & Watson)
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22%
The quarterback position (McCown & Osweiler)
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3%
Other (let us know in the comments)