Hashtag Sports
  • #Articles
  • #Episodes
  • #Staff
  • #Nation
  • Ask Hashtag
What Drives You?

On the Clock: 2018 Cleveland Browns

3/24/2018

1 Comment

 
Picture
by Paul Wanecski
​I have never read or wrote these words all in the same sentence before, so… what an exciting time to be a Cleveland Browns fan, huh? With an incredible amount of money available underneath the salary cap, two of the top four selections in the upcoming NFL draft with five selections within the top 65 picks, the Browns have a chance to turn things around quickly. They have been aggressive in acquiring talent via trade and are looking to change the way the rest of the NFL sees the organization.

Head Coach: Hue Jackson (9-39)
Offensive Coordinator: New Todd Haley
Defensive Coordinator: Gregg Williams
General Manager: New John Dorsey


Financials:
The Browns were able to roll over an amazing $58.9 million in salary cap space, giving them, as of today (3/24) with $70.6 million underneath the salary cap. They are positioned to be able to retain the talent they recently acquired if they choose to do that and extend the contracts of those who were already on the roster. The Browns have also been stockpiling players via the draft the last few seasons, meaning they still have players on rookie contracts that only see a small increase in salary from year to year. 

The Offseason:
The loss of Isaiah Crowell was quickly offset by the affordable acquisition of 26-year-old running back Carlos Hyde, signing a three year, $15.25m contract. Cleveland wasn’t done there, snagging Chris Hubbard from the Steelers (Cleveland recently hired Todd Haley, former Steeler offensive coordinator to the same position). Tight end Darren Fells was added to the three-year contract as well as tackle Donald Stephenson to provide some depth with the loss of future hall of fame tackle Joe Thomas who retired this offseason. As far as the defense goes, Terrance Mitchell and Travis Carrie were the big additions, both going to remake the secondary. It was an active free agency period for Cleveland and they appear to have no fear investing in veterans right now. Along with that, Cleveland has added former Bills starting QB Tyrod Taylor, formers Dolphins WR Jarvis Landry and safety Damarious Randall (who played CB for Green Bay, but played Safety in college). With the exception of Randall, both Landry and Taylor have only this year remaining on their current deal, with Landry coming to over on the Franchise Tag. 

The Draft:
With having Carlos Hyde and Duke Johnson, it is reasonable to say they will pass on Shaquon Barkley at the running back position in both the first and fourth pick…but this IS Cleveland we are talking about here. Barkley is rare talent at the positon and it is possible the Browns take a chance on him with the first pick. Realistically though, it looks like USC Quarterback Sam Darnold might be the pick here. While I am far from “in love” with him as a prospect, given the landscape of the teams behind the Browns, if they pass on a QB with the first selection, it is possible they will have to take the third one off the board by the time it gets the their fourth pick. Could they surprise everyone and grab defensive end Bradley Chubb, guard Quenton Nelson, or one of the other QB options in Josh Rosen, Baker Mayfield, or Josh Allen. Yes, anything is possible but if I were in Vegas and I had to bet one player, my money is Sam Darnold goes first overall.

At the fourth spot, it is really anyone’s guess. Cleveland could get an absolute haul if the Giants pass on a quarterback at the second pick. With that being said, I expect the Browns to trade this pick if the Giants take a non-quarterback second overall, especially if the Giants select Barkley. Lots of trade partners exist if that is the case, seeing as though teams would be fighting for, in this scenario, the third QB off the board (assuming the Jets draft a QB, which…I mean…they HAVE to, right?). Arizona, Buffalo, Miami, Jacksonville, Denver (who sits one spot behind Cleveland at fifth, but if they want a QB, they are going to have to pay to not be outbid and lose their guy), even teams with aging incumbent QBs like Baltimore, Chargers, Saints, Pittsburg, all become players since the position is going to thin very quickly. If Cleveland stays at four, assuming they go Darnold first, Chubb goes to the Giants and the Jets draft a QB, it would be hard to pass on a talent like Barkley again.
1 Comment
Vincent Griffin link
12/27/2020 08:06:20 am

Great rread thanks

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Youtube Channel

    Archives

    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    October 2018
    September 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    August 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013

    Categories

    All
    2013 Buffalo Bills
    2014 Buffalo Bills
    2015 Buffalo Bills
    2015 NFL Draft
    2016 Buffalo Bills
    2017 Buffalo Bills
    2018 On The Clock
    2019 Buffalo Bills
    2019 Free Agency
    2019 On The Clock
    2020 Buffalo Bills
    3 Step Drop
    Buffalo Bills
    Misc
    MLB
    Monday Quick Slant
    Nba
    Nfl
    Nfl-draft
    Nhl
    On-the-clock-2015
    On-the-clock-2016
    On-the-clock-2017
    On-the-clock-2018
    Pocket-presence
    Quick-slant
    Road-trip
    Salary Cap
    Tuesday Cover 2
    Videos

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • #Articles
  • #Episodes
  • #Staff
  • #Nation
  • Ask Hashtag