an examination of the crucial choices the Cleveland Browns will have to make in the NFL Draft in 2024.
Several stories about the Browns’ plans for this year have emerged as the 2024 NFL Draft draws near. As they add additional players to the roster over the next three days, there are varying views regarding the focus. While the draft is an exciting time for all sports fans, general managers and front offices must make important decisions during this period. Regarding the Browns, Andrew Berry has removed any obvious, pressing needs from the roster. This does not imply that the Browns cannot locate a player who can make an impact this year; rather, as Berry stated during his pre-draft press conference, he plans to choose players for the future. Here are the tough choices the Browns will have to make this weekend while we wait for their selections and watch the NFL’s take on high-stakes poker.
THE OFFENSIVE LINE’S FUTURE
Take on
The first priority in this year’s draft is to establish the offensive line’s succession plan. It’s time to go younger and less expensive for the Browns, who have invested a lot of money in their offensive line over the years. From last year’s draft, Dawand Jones seems to be a terrific fourth-round pick. Although his run blocking still needs improvement, he showed in his first season that he was a formidable pass protector. Going ahead, the Browns should be able to count on him as a starter at tackle. During his pre-draft press conference, Berry discussed the challenges facing the offensive and defensive lines as they adjust to life in the NFL. It would be excellent to identify a prospective offensive line starter a year before their requirement arises for this reason.
Both Jedrick Wills and Jack Conklin are in the final year of their contracts, so the Browns should try to avoid signing Wills to an extension. One of their top priorities in this year’s draft should be to locate their starting tackle of the future to go with Jones. Although there is starting NFL quality in this class of tackles, it could falter between the Browns’ first two selections (at 54 and 85). To make sure they acquire the player they want before there is a noticeable decline in talent at the position, Berry will need to carefully consider the board and play his hand. If things go the Browns’ way, they may emerge with a top-tier playmaker and a promising tackle potential.
Protect
On the offensive line, Wyatt Teller has one more year left on his deal and Joe Bitonio, a future Hall of Famer, may be nearing retirement. Given that Teller has professional-level experience, an extension is not completely out of the question. However, a change is inevitable, much like their tackle position, and there are quality guard prospects available throughout the draft. Because of this, the Browns may decide to trade back and acquire a pick in the top 150, where there are several guards with better profiles than the ones who provide depth on the squad now.
The Browns may easily go from old and expensive to youthful and inexpensive along the offensive line if they choose well at tackle and guard in the draft. Transferring those funds to another location would greatly aid in the future roster expansion. TIGHT END WILL STORY TELLING
The second tight end is a question mark. For now, a lot of that is dependent on how the offence is constructed for this season. September will reveal the precise makeup of the offence, but we have an idea thanks to the offensive staff reshuffle. Is it possible for the Browns to select an in-line, dual-threat tight end later in the draft? They might use someone who can block and serve as Watson’s underneath to intermediate safety valve-type receiver, based on what we have seen in the past. They might, however, go with a weapon like tight ends Ja’Tavion Sanders or Jaheim Bell, who have outstanding pass-catching skills and can split out wide in a 12-man formation. The addition of a second tight end weapon might give the Browns offence a new dimension and could cause mismatch problems for opposing defences. The tight end position that the Browns take in the draft and on the undrafted free agency market will provide insight into the offensive scheme.
TEMPORARY WIDE RECEIVERS?
NFL teams ought to consider wide receivers in every draft class. There are many skilled receivers in this year’s class that play different styles. The Browns need to figure out where and how that receiver would enter the field. To gain meaningful snaps and targets in the Browns offence, a wide receiver selected at picks 54 or 85 in this year’s draft class would need to outshine David Bell, Cedric Tillman, and Elijah Moore. Teams should always be swinging at this position if they like the guy who is available to them, though. Locating a rookie wide receiver with production potential greatly helps the roster develop. The story here will be revealed by the way the board loses to the Browns at 54.
The fastest route to the field
Football player
A linebacker is one of the fastest players to make an impactful snap. The Browns’ linebacker depth pieces are not guaranteed spots on the team, and according to several mock drafts, the top linebackers in this draft won’t be selected until the second round. That is contingent upon the Browns’ assessment of the prospects at this position. For them to select him in the second round, a player such as Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah has to drop out of the first round. Do they feel that way about any of the linebackers in this class? If they do, a pick at this position might have an impact on special teams and get significant playing time this year.
sprinting back
A good committee of backs has been assembled by the Browns to manage the running game while Nick Chubb makes his way back onto the field. There are still some questions about how much and when Chubb will be able to contribute, but some talented backs will be available in the second round. Like a linebacker, positional value makes this appear less likely, but the Browns still need to consider this position’s future. They can find some decent value in the UDFA market and late in the draft if they know what they want in a back.
