Written By: Jake Leicht
The Cleveland Browns were one of the most prominent stories of the 2018 season. The Browns had the number 1 overall pick in the draft, and they had to obtain their quarterback of the future. John Dorsey seemed to go rogue when he drafted Baker Mayfield over the likes of Sam Darnold and Josh Allen, but if the 2018 season proved anything it was that Baker Mayfield was the right choice for Cleveland. Baker absolutely lit up his rookie season by putting up a staggering 3,725 yards and 27 touchdown passes in only 13 games. After a midseason trade that sent Carlos Hyde to the Jaguars for a 5th round pick, rookie Nick Chubb was one of the most prolific running backs in the league. Chubb ended the season with 996 yards, 8 touchdowns, and an eye-popping 5.2 YPA on the ground while only starting 9 games. Not only did the young Browns offense progress, their young playmakers on defense looked very good as well. Myles Garrett posted 13.5 sacks, dealing with double teams in many passing situations. Denzel Ward made it to the Pro Bowl after posting an impressive rookie campaign as well. The Browns already hired their next head coach in Freddie Kitchens, who helped the young offense explode after they finally moved on from Todd Haley and Hue Jackson midseason. The future is very bright in Cleveland.
Available Salary Cap Space- $82,452,741*
*According to Overthecap.com
Free Agents
UFA
Tyrod Taylor- QB
E.J. Gaines- CB
Ray-Ray Armstrong- OLB
Earl Watford- RT
Phillip Gaines- CB
Greg Robinson- OT
Orson Charles- FB
Rod Streater- WR
Carl Davis- DT
Breshad Perriman- WR
RFA
Juston Burris- CB
Rashard Higgins- WR
Briean Boddy-Calhoun
ERFA
Jermaine Whitehead- FS
Trevon Coley- DT
Potential Cap Casualties (Bold = Dead Money, Italics = Cap Gain)
Jamie Collins Sr- LB ($2.5 mil) ($8.25 mil)
Chris Smith- DE ($2.33 mil) ($2.08 mil)
*All figures for cap purposes are taken as pre-June 1st, unless otherwise stated. All cap figures courtesy of Overthecap.com, unless otherwise stated*
Team Needs
Linebacker
Offensive Tackle
Possession Receiver
Edge Rusher
Cornerback
Center
Backup Quarterback
Draft pick Allotment
1st Round #17
2nd Round #17
3rd Round #17
3rd Round #31
4th Round #17
5th Round #6
5th Round #17
5th Round #31
6th Round #17
7th Round #17
7th Round #22
Mock Offseason
Players Re-signed
Rashard Higgins- WR
Breshad Perriman- WR
Greg Robinson- OT
Cap Casualties
Jamie Collins Sr- LB
Chris Smith- DE
Trade
Browns get: Patrick Peterson
Cardinals get: 2nd and 5th Round picks
Free Agent Targets
Brandon Graham- DE (Eagles)
I would love to add one of the bigger name pass rushers that could be available via free agency, but Brandon Graham fits perfectly with what the Browns need in a pass rusher. He can play in any scheme, and he will bring some veteran leadership to a defensive line unit that is young and talented.
Gerald McCoy- DT (Buccaneers)
McCoy is not officially a free agent quite yet, but word around the league is that the Buccaneers will look to move on from their once-franchise defensive lineman. Although he is not quite as explosive as he used to be, combining McCoy with Larry Ogunjobi in the middle of the Browns’ defense would halt opposing running backs in the run game.
Anthony Barr- OLB (Vikings)
Barr was once a first round pick that flashed major upside as a pass rusher for the Vikings. Now, he may be available in free agency, and the Browns would be a great fit for the linebacker if they move on from Jamie Collins Sr.
Mock Draft
1st Round: Yodny Cajuste, OT (West Virginia)
2nd Round: Traded to the Cardinals in Patrick Peterson trade
3rd Round: J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, WR (Stanford)
3rd Round: Dakota Allen, LB (Texas Tech)
4th Round: Ross Pierschbacher, C (Alabama)
Keep a lookout for more offseason blueprints as we get closer to the start of the new league year!