Cleveland Browns 2022 off-season thread

[Kbiz]

If we are talking potential FA WR targets, i'd prefer to go the one year prove it deal route with someone like Chark or Fuller. Guys who have flashed potential but hindered by injury - need to keep a contract like that affordable. Crowder also interests me as a potential Landry replacement.

The big names are nice but will come with a hefty price tag, especially if there is uncertainty at QB this offseason. If we want premiere talent at a fraction of the cost, we are gonna need to draft a WR with our first pick.

 

[Jack Brickman]

I’m literally interested in anyone at any position who can help the Browns win for the right price.

Ridley might be too cost prohibitive, but that's up for Berry to decide.

I’ll say the same thing about Ridley that I said about Thomas. I’d rather just throw a bag of money at Chris Godwin. He’s a better player than Ridley and doesn’t have the mental health question marks.

ETA: My huge issue with trading for Ridley is that you’d have to give up a decent amount to get him and then pay him, and that’s not even taking into account that the guy just peaced out on his team mid-season.

 

[PIP]

Ugh…. So tough to think about that the season doesn’t start up till September….

 

[Kevalier]

Ugh…. So tough to think about that the season doesn’t start up till September….

Carlos Correa will have hit 40 homers for the Guards by then.

 

[Smooth]

Some clarification on Hooper’s contract.. I think based off that, he likely gets cut, Njoku gets a raise and TE1 status and Browns bring in TE4/H-Back…

 

[PIP]

Carlos Correa will have hit 40 homers for the Guards by then.

We both know it’s happening !!!

 

[DJTJ]

Some clarification on Hooper’s contract.. I think based off that, he likely gets cut, Njoku gets a raise and TE1 status and Browns bring in TE4/H-Back…

If they were going to eat the dead cap, I’d assume they’d actually prefer to do in 2022, especially if they move off of Baker.

The benefit of splitting it doesn’t really exist, because we’d want lower cap in 2023 to salvage any extensions.

 

[Vee-Rex]

My Preliminary Offseason Approach

Offense:
Cut Hooper
Cut Keenum
Cut/Restructure Landry
Let Higgins walk
Resign Njoku

Heavily pursue a trade for an upgrade at QB. Watson tops my list assuming he is able to play next year. Bite the media shitstorm bullet and everyone will have forgotten after a couple years. While I'd inquire about Rodgers/Wilson (and obtain them if possible) I just don't know if they're a good fit with Stefanski. They prefer freelance stuff and Stefanski is more structured. I'd also look into Derek Carr. Obviously trade Baker if we make a move at QB - no need to keep him on the team. If we cannot get a clear upgrade, I'd give Baker another year ~unless~ Berry is enamored with some QB prospects in the draft.

I'd like to see us sign or trade for a solid+ wide receiver as well. Improve o-line depth. Lots of FA tight ends that could be explored for depth also.

Defense:
Resign Clowney
Resign Takk
Let Anthony Walker... walk
Let Ronnie Harrison walk

Upgrade our interior d-line. 2022 DT FAs looks barren, so I'd attempt a trade or take one with one of our top 2 draft picks (assuming we have them). I think DT is our biggest weakness on defense and we need to aggressively address it.

Safety is another position I think we need to improve.

Upgrade kicker if possible.

If we trade all our draft picks then obviously that limits how well we can address so many of our holes. But if we somehow found a way to upgrade at QB, I'd like to see us spend every single dollar we have to make sure the receivers, tight ends, and o-line are strengthened. Go all-in. We're good at RB. I don't care about salary cap anymore if we get the QB spot settled. And I would prioritize getting the offense solidified over the defense since our main pieces on defense are already signed long-term or still on rookie contracts.

Screw dwelling on the drama all the time, I'm ready to see what this front office does to improve the team. No matter how bad it may seem, we're STILL a very talented young team capable of swiftly turning shit around and having a strong 2022 year.

 

[Bkerr02]

My Preliminary Offseason Approach

Offense:
Cut Hooper
Cut Keenum
Cut/Restructure Landry
Let Higgins walk
Resign Njoku

Heavily pursue a trade for an upgrade at QB. Watson tops my list assuming he is able to play next year. Bite the media shitstorm bullet and everyone will have forgotten after a couple years. While I'd inquire about Rodgers/Wilson (and obtain them if possible) I just don't know if they're a good fit with Stefanski. They prefer freelance stuff and Stefanski is more structured. I'd also look into Derek Carr. Obviously trade Baker if we make a move at QB - no need to keep him on the team. If we cannot get a clear upgrade, I'd give Baker another year ~unless~ Berry is enamored with some QB prospects in the draft.

I'd like to see us sign or trade for a solid+ wide receiver as well. Improve o-line depth. Lots of FA tight ends that could be explored for depth also.

Defense:
Resign Clowney
Resign Takk
Let Anthony Walker... walk
Let Ronnie Harrison walk

Upgrade our interior d-line. 2022 DT FAs looks barren, so I'd attempt a trade or take one with one of our top 2 draft picks (assuming we have them). I think DT is our biggest weakness on defense and we need to aggressively address it.

Safety is another position I think we need to improve.

Upgrade kicker if possible.

If we trade all our draft picks then obviously that limits how well we can address so many of our holes. But if we somehow found a way to upgrade at QB, I'd like to see us spend every single dollar we have to make sure the receivers, tight ends, and o-line are strengthened. Go all-in. We're good at RB. I don't care about salary cap anymore if we get the QB spot settled. And I would prioritize getting the offense solidified over the defense since our main pieces on defense are already signed long-term or still on rookie contracts.

Screw dwelling on the drama all the time, I'm ready to see what this front office does to improve the team. No matter how bad it may seem, we're STILL a very talented young team capable of swiftly turning shit around and having a strong 2022 year.

I’m actually ok with what we have at safety. I can’t believe I’m saying this but I think they found something putting MJ Stewart at safety. He graded out really well at that position. DT and WR are absolutely huge needs. I’d like to bring McDowell back as well as either drafting a DT and a FA signing.

 

[Vee-Rex]

I’m actually ok with what we have at safety. I can’t believe I’m saying this but I think they found something putting MJ Stewart at safety. He graded out really well at that position. DT and WR are absolutely huge needs. I’d like to bring McDowell back as well as either drafting a DT and a FA signing.

I'd want to move on from Stewart. Like his run support but his coverage skills are non-existent and it hurts us all the time.

 

[Bkerr02]

I'd want to move on from Stewart. Like his run support but his coverage skills are non-existent and it hurts us all the time.

I do agree with that when he was playing corner. At safety it seems like his coverage was a ton better. I’d be willing to have him as a 3rd safety

 

[bob2the2nd]

Some clarification on Hooper’s contract.. I think based off that, he likely gets cut, Njoku gets a raise and TE1 status and Browns bring in TE4/H-Back…

oh man, this clarification is fantastic. Still a terrible fucking contract, but great explanation about what happens when he is cut. @Lee

edit: i dont think they cut tretter. Thats just another hole to fill. I dont see the benefit on that one. Keenum and Hooper i think are sure things. Landry is either gone or renegotiate (i think he is gone), and Tretter is a keep.

Will need to figure out an extension with Ward this off season as well

 

[Smooth]

Browns free agents

Clowney
Hubbard
Takk McKinley
Malik Jackson
Anthony Walker
Njoku
Higgins
MJ Stewart
Malcolm Smith
Colquitt
Ifeadi Odenigbo (RFA)
Montrel Meander (RFA)
Carlson (RFA)
Harrison (UFA)
McLaughlin (RFA)
Dunn (ERFA)
Hance (ERFA)
McDowell (ERFA)
D'Ernest Johnson (RFA)
Hjaltre Froholdt (ERFA)

Safe to say Carlson, Dunn, Hance and McDowell all return... It'll be interesting to see how they handle D'Ernest's free agency as I'm sure he's someone they'd like back..

I could see one of Smith or Walker returning on another one-year deal.. Otherwise they do have some decent depth at LB (JOK, Phillips, Takitaki, Wilson, Fields, Lee) and we know how they value LBs...

Stewart is a guy that Joe Woods loved so I wouldn't be surprised if they try to bring him back on a 2-3 year deal... He's not a starter level player but a good player to have since he can play all of the secondary positions in a pinch..

Higgins, Hubbard and Malik Jackson are likely gone...

We know Browns have since mended the fences with Njoku and sides were open to an extension but have to wonder with how the season ended either side feels differently... Either way, would love to have him back..

Could see the Browns offering Takk a one-year minimum deal to return but he likely gets the Olivier Vernon treatment..

Along with Njoku, Clowney and Harrison are the other two biggest free agents.. Undoubtedly Clowney would be a good addition to bring back but I'm sure it'll all come down to price... Otherwise, Harrison could go either way... Browns made a solid acquisition bringing him in and they do need safety depth but I'm not sure he offers all that much different from what Delpit and JJ can do... I'd like to see the Browns acquire a true centerfield safety next year so JJ can play closer to the line and Delpit can be a super-sub..

Where I'd land, re-sign:

Clowney
Njoku
Stewart
One of Malcolm Smith/Anthony Walker (preferably Walker)
Carlson
Hance
Dunn
McDowell
D'Ernest

@ClevTA mentioned it earlier, but Landry, Hooper, Tretter and Keenum are the guys with the biggest targets on their back due to be cut because of salary..

I'd like to see Tretter come back for another year given: he's durable, he's continued to play at a high level, he's only got one more year, you don't have a solid replacement lined up, and stability on the offensive line will be critical with whomever is at QB and Conklin being out to start the year..

I have to imagine Keenum is a guaranteed goner and Browns ask Hooper to do something with his contract..

Landry is an interesting case.. I still think he can be a valuable player and holds value within the locker room but with how the season ended, his overall lack of production and the whole OBJ fiasco, I have to wonder if it ends similarly with Baker as a mutual divorce..

 

[Smooth]

oh man, this clarification is fantastic. Still a terrible fucking contract, but great explanation about what happens when he is cut. @Lee

edit: i dont think they cut tretter. Thats just another hole to fill. I dont see the benefit on that one. Keenum and Hooper i think are sure things. Landry is either gone or renegotiate (i think he is gone), and Tretter is a keep.

Will need to figure out an extension with Ward this off season as well

Do have to wonder if Hooper being cut depends on Njoku's willigness to re-sign... If Njoku decides he wants to test the open market, I could see the Browns keeping Hooper around, perhaps at a lower salary, and looking to cut him next year so they can at least bring back Hooper, Bryant and Carlson as opposed to just Bryant and Carlson..

 

[Lee]

oh man, this clarification is fantastic. Still a terrible fucking contract, but great explanation about what happens when he is cut. @Lee

edit: i dont think they cut tretter. Thats just another hole to fill. I dont see the benefit on that one. Keenum and Hooper i think are sure things. Landry is either gone or renegotiate (i think he is gone), and Tretter is a keep.

Will need to figure out an extension with Ward this off season as well

We have gone back and forth trying to figure out how to get rid of Hooper. Horrible signing by Koby and i like Koby, but no one is perfect.

Hopefully they are right and now we know.