Presented with the opportunity to steal players from other rosters, does it change how people view the Cleveland Browns needs headed into the offseason?
One of the more interesting ways to illustrate what the Cleveland Browns need to address most in the offseason is to look at it through the lens of wanting what other teams have. Often, this comes in the form of being presented with the fictional opportunity to add a player from an opponent to your team.
For the past 20 years, this has been a pretty boring exercise for the Browns given that it would be taking a quarterback. With Baker Mayfield on the team, this discussion becomes more interesting and your answer will likely shape what you really believe the Browns need as opposed to what you think they might need.
So let’s start with the opportunity to take grab a player from opposing teams, starting with the rest of the AFC North. And while there could be some room for disagreement, even narrowing down the options might say more than one might realize.
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Cincinnati Bengals – Geno Atkins, Defensive Tackle
One might be tempted to take A.J. Green, hoping for the big weapon for Mayfield, and there’s no doubt Green would be great. Nevertheless, Atkins is the most impactful player on that team and, combined with what the Browns have with Myles Garrett, Larry Ogunjobi and company, the Browns would instantly have a devastating advantage.
Pittsburgh Steelers – Cameron Heyward, Defensive Tackle
Another situation where a receiver like Juju Smith-Schuster or Antonio Brown would be a great option, but despite a combined 215 receptions for 2,723 yards and 22 touchdowns, they found themselves on the outside of the playoffs largely due to a crumbling defense.
The Steelers defensive line headlined by Cameron Heyward has been covering for their weak secondary. At least in the short term, the devastating injury to Ryan Shazier has been too much to overcome. In his last four full seasons, Heyward has produced 34.5 sacks and 20 in the past two. At around 295 pounds, with the notable exception of 2016 where he missed significant time with injury, Heyward has finished top two in sacks for the Steelers dating back to 2013.
Baltimore Ravens – C.J. Mosley, Linebacker
The Ravens present an interesting discussion because there are a number of directions the Browns could do. One thing that’s clear is whoever the choice is, it’s coming from the defense. Mosley is a stud linebacker that could be great next to Joe Schobert. Arguments could be made for Matt Judon, Marlon Humphrey or maybe even Tony Jefferson.
Mosley does everything for the Ravens, including leading their team in solo tackle market share at 10.1 percent, but he’s been able to contribute in pass coverage. The Ravens may be talking about how money is tight in terms of resigning a guy like Mosley, but it would be stunning if they don’t figure out how to keep him as they do not have anything resembling a replacement for his impact. After Mosley’s 70 solo tackles, the next two linebackers had 40 and 37, respectively.
The early returns suggest the Browns need to keep attacking the defensive side of the ball. Both the Steelers and Bengals have tempting wide receivers, but it’s difficult to refute the impact of their stud defensive tackles, especially when contrasting it against what the Browns had other than Ogunjobi. The Ravens don’t have offensive weaponry, so it’s largely by default. As a result, let’s expand out a little bit.
The Super Bowl is about to take place between the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots. Two terrific teams with plenty of players to choose from, so who would the Browns add from them?
New England Patriots – Trey Flowers, Defensive End
There are a few Browns fans (Jack Duffin) that dream of a world where the Patriots let Flowers walk in free agency and the Browns can sign him. He’s been nothing short of outstanding this year and he’s arguably been even better in the playoffs. He would fantastic opposite Myles Garrett.
The Patriots are the one team that has a defensive back attractive enough to be in the conversation. Stephon Gilmore has been great for the Patriots and could be a terrific player opposite Denzel Ward.
Los Angeles Rams – Aaron Donald, Defensive Tackle
Donald is arguably the best player in the entire league, which makes this a little unfair. So let’s expand out a round to the championship round.
Kansas City Chiefs – Chris Jones, Defensive Tackle
Undoubtedly, a case can be made for Travis Kelce, who is the best tight end in the league at this point. There’s no way to go wrong with that. However, Jones is 6’5″ 310 and he had 15.5 sacks this season and doesn’t turn 25 years old until July. That’s scary dominant and he may only have just started his prime.
New Orleans Saints – Michael Thomas, Wide Receiver
This is the first time where a wide receiver was even a consideration. And as dominant a season as Thomas had, the only reason he managed to edge out Cameron Jordan was age. Thomas is still just 25 while Jordan turns 30 this offseason. Thomas is a stud and can make a case he’s one of the best in the league and he only barely edged out Jordan, which goes to show just how valuable impact defensive linemen are.
We’ve already gone this far, so let’s go ahead and finish out the teams that made the playoffs.
Philadelphia Eagles – Fletcher Cox, Defensive Tackle
Cox is the best player on the Eagles roster and it felt like the Eagles were in total control of the divisional playoff game against the Saints until he went down with an injury. He came back into the game but it never felt like he was the same player.
The Eagles have famously battled through injuries this season and last year to end up in the playoffs both years and win the Super Bowl. Cox is the one constant. In seven seasons, he’s missed just three games.
Los Angeles Chargers – Joey Bosa, Defensive End
It’s either Joey Bosa or Melvin Ingram. It’s just a matter of preference. Either way, it’s going to be a defensive end.
Indianapolis Colts – Anthony Costanzo, Offensive Tackle
T.Y. Hilton and Darius Leonard would be great options, but Costanzo is far more consistent than Greg Robinson, would stabilize Baker Mayfield’s blind side. That seems to be the most valuable option.
Seattle Seahawks – Tyler Lockett, Wide Receiver
Maybe a healthy Earl Thomas changes things, but Lockett is the league’s most efficient receiver. On 70 targets, Lockett produced 965 yards 37 first downs and 10 touchdowns. Conversely, the Browns leading receiver was targeted 149 times and produced 976 yards, 44 first downs and four touchdowns.
Chicago Bears – Khalil Mack, EDGE
The only other player worth mentioning in this discussion is Akiem Hicks, who should’ve been named an All-Pro. Most Browns fans already dreamed of this possibility when Mack was on the market. Unfortunately, they never considered offers from AFC teams, so who knows how competitive an offer the Browns might have been.
Houston Texans – J.J. Watt, Defensive Line
Even coming off of another significant injury, Watt’s dominance is so established, his 16 sacks, 24 tackles for loss and seven forced fumbles felt run of the mill.
Dallas Cowboys – DeMarcus Lawrence, Defensive End
Lawrence is another popular dream when it comes to free agency and it’s easy to see why. The past two years, he’s produced 25 sacks, which accounts for 32.4 percent of the team’s total.
Results
Between the division and the teams that made the playoffs, the answer from 10 of the 14 teams came back defensive line. Even if someone might take a Travis Kelce over Chris Jones or might be tempted enough by one of the Steelers receivers, the majority is still adding impact defensive linemen.
The talent has to be worthy of the selection, but clearly the biggest change the Browns can make to their current roster is adding more impact attacking the quarterback. That would be the case even if the Browns didn’t have a massive hole at the 3-tech. The team can’t have too many great defensive linemen.
Wide receiver accounted for two, linebacker one and offensive tackle was the last one. No one disagrees with the idea that the Browns should keep looking to improve their weaponry about Baker Mayfield. It’s largely a discussion of methodology.
Finding a running mate for Joe Schobert that can impact the run and the passing game would be ideal, but it’s not so important that the Browns need to prioritize it above other positions. And with offensive tackle, it’s entirely a question of quality. If there’s a stud available, the Browns should make a run at it. Securing the offensive line around Mayfield is a great investment but the team is in a position where if it’s not an obvious upgrade, it’s not a priority.
One surprise is the absence of a defensive back. Stephon Gilmore was the only defensive back that could’ve been a legitimate option. Marshon Lattimore is a very good player, but he would’ve been the fourth choice from that team behind Thomas, Jordan and Sheldon Rankins. This doesn’t mean the Browns can’t upgrade their secondary, but much like offensive line, it’s a situation where it has to be an upgrade.
There are a lot of avenues the Browns can go with improving their roster, but the overwhelming sentiment is nothing would do more for them than an impact defensive tackle. Easier said than done as every team in the league would like to do the same thing, but it means that if the Browns have the opportunity to find one, that’s their best play.
For fun, do this same exercise with the Oakland Raiders roster and let me know which player you choose.