That’s right I said it, the Playoff Bound Cleveland Browns. Yes I am aware that the very notion of the Browns and winning just don’t seem to match but I am convinced that this is a team with a solid foundation and the off season ammunition to build a playoff roster. With close to $50 million in cap room and two first round picks, the Browns have the money and draft stock to make franchise-changing moves.
The Browns path to the 2014 playoffs started several years back on draft day in 2012 when they selected RB Trent Richardson 3rd overall and Brandon Weeden 22nd overall. Neither of these players will be on their roster when the 2014 season starts. Trent Richardson was traded to the Colts for a first round pick earlier this year and Brandon Weeden is expected to hit free agency today at 4:00 pm. The 2012 draft would have been a complete failure for the Browns had it not been for their second round supplemental draft pick WR Josh Gordon who emerged in 2013 as one of the NFL’s elite receivers even without a quarterback.
The Browns foundation consists of Joe Haden, one of the league’s premier corners, Joe Thomas an elite pass protector, wide receiver Josh Gordon, center Alex Mack who has received the transitional tag, pass rusher Paul Kruger, and tight end Jordan Cameron. The Browns have other players worth mentioning but this is the main core of their team.
The Seattle Seahawks proved again this year that defense wins championships so the first thing on the Browns to do list should be finding a dominant corner to play across from Joe Haden. Enter Darrelle Revis. Revis is currently owed 16 million with the Buccaneers and they have stated that he is on the trade block. With 50 million in cap space the Browns could easily afford Revis who played at an elite level in 2013 just one year removed from ACL surgery. If a trade cannot get done by 4:00 pm the Bucs are expected to release Revis. The Browns would be smart to make singing him a top priority. There is also a deep market of defensive backs including Aqib Talib, Alterraun Verner, and Vontae Davis.
With Pro Bowl safety TJ Ward set to hit the market the Browns should also look to upgrade by signing Jarius Byrd. Byrd is an NFL elite ball hawk and is excellent in coverage. That being said Byrd will not come cheap having already turned down a contract from the Bills that would have made him the highest paid safety in football but money is no issue. If a deal with Byrd can’t get done they could sign Donte Whitner or another FA safety.
The Browns also have holes at linebacker but are reportedly close to a deal with Karlos Dansby who would be an excellent plug and play addition.
On offense, the Browns must find their franchise quarterback and a running back to match. They also need to find a wide receiver to play opposite Gordon.
The Texans at number one will most likely take Clowney and the Rams at number two will most likely select one of the two top tackle prospects to protect Bradford. The Jaguars with the third pick could go in almost any direction. They could select QB Johnny Manziel, Teddy Bridgewater, or Blake Bortles. Top wide receiver Sammy Watkins and outside linebacker Khalil Mack are also strong possibilities.
There are several teams in picks 5-10 that have a need at QB so I don’t see the Browns waiting to use the 26th pick one. I expect the Browns to jump for joy if Johnny Manziel is still on the board at 4 and make him their franchise QB. If Manziel is taken they would still be happy with Bridgewater or Bortles.
If they do end up with Manziel it could be nice to see Michael Vick back up Manziel on and off the field.
The next offensive need would be at running back but I feel the Browns are done taking running backs in the first round. They should use their 26th overall pick on either a wide receiver like Marqise Lee or Kelvin Benjamin to play opposite Gordon. They could also add someone like Hakeem Nicks who has already stated he would be ok with a one year deal (cheep deal).
If they decide to go running back at 26 they could make a splash and add Auburn running back Tre Mason giving them an explosive option out of the backfield in the passing game. All rookie quarterbacks love an explosive check down.
The Browns could also fill the hole at running back by adding a low risk high reward candidate like Ben Tate, LeGarrette Blount, Toby Gerhart, or Rashard Jennings.
So to recap, Ladies and Gentlemen I present the economically possible additions to the Playoff bound 2014 Browns:
Quarterbacked by Johnny Manziel backed up by Michael Vick. A dangerous receiving core of Josh Gordon, Jordan Cameron, and either Nicks or Lee. A backfield with Tre Mason or Ben Tate. A defense anchored by a dominant defensive line backed by Karlos Dansby, Kruger, and Mingo. And a secondary dominated by Joe Haden, Darrelle Revis, and Jarius Byrd.
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