Editor's note: Tony Grossi covers the Cleveland Browns for ESPN 850 WKNR.

With $110 million in salary cap room, few contract headaches and 12 draft picks, the Browns appear to be envy of the league as the NFL transaction season approaches.

But that is not quite the case.

Sashi Brown left new GM John Dorsey with these gifts, to be sure. But Brown also built a too-young roster devoid of a middle class, with few playmakers on offense and defense, and a quarterback situation as inadequate as ever.

The opportunities squandered by Brown in two seasons in charge contributed to the culture of losing and worsened the Browns’ ability to attract quality free agents – just when they needed them the most.

In his previous job as GM in Kansas City, Dorsey oversaw an instant transformation from 2-14 to 11-5.

Circumstances were different in Kansas City. Dorsey inherited six Pro Bowl players and Andy Reid – a proven winning coach. Their first major transaction netted quarterback Alex Smith. That transaction alone changed the culture in Kansas City and set the Chiefs on their way to four playoff seasons over the next five years.

I believe Dorsey’s selection of a veteran quarterback will be the single most important move he makes this transaction season.

So here is a guide of what awaits Dorsey over the next two months.

1. Target a veteran QB and don’t dawdle.

I expect the top available quarterbacks to pick their teams within hours of the opening of the league business year on March 14. Kirk Cousins, Drew Brees, Case Keenum, AJ McCarron, Tyrod Taylor and possibly Josh McCown will be gobbled up by the close of the business day, I expect.

Whomever Dorsey targets – and I believe it will be McCarron – he has to be able to close the deal. Dawdling over contract terms could leave the Browns with undesirable leftovers such as Sam Bradford, Chase Daniel, Trevor Siemian and Ryan Fitzpatrick.

2. Be aggressive in pursuing young veterans in free agency.

Besides quarterback, the obvious priorities are at free safety, wide receiver, cornerback and left tackle.

A key decision here is whether the Browns view this as the time to move Jason McCourty to free safety full time. If so, they wouldn’t pursue Lamarcus Joyner of the Rams and might turn their attention to a splash trade pitch for Chiefs shutdown cornerback Marcus Peters.

The Browns did visit with released Colts cornerback Vontae Davis, who will be 30 in May. That interest may indicate there could be sentiment to convert McCourty to safety; otherwise, you wouldn’t want two 30-year-old+ cornerbacks on the roster.

As for receivers, trading for franchise-tagged Dolphin slot receiver Jarvis Landry doesn’t feel like a good idea. He would cost a second-round pick and a ridiculous contract. More likely may be a couple lower-price pursuits like Terrell Pryor of the Redskins and Albert Wilson of the Chiefs.

3. Trade some younger players.

If the Browns are going to make their team older, it stands to reason that some younger players would have to leave to make room. There aren’t many players over 30 to cut; the only 30+ players on the roster are Joe Thomas, who will probably retire; McCourty; and punter Britton Colquitt.

So whom might Dorsey try to trade? Keep an eye on receiver Corey Coleman and nose tackle Danny Shelton.

4. Sort out the pick of rookie quarterback.

I believe Dorsey’s choice will come down to Sam Darnold or Josh Allen. I believe either could be the No. 1 overall pick. It would be too risky to get cute and guess that one would be available at No. 4.

5. Saquon Barkley or Minkah Fitzpatrick?

Barkley is considered by many to be the best player in the 2018 draft. If the Penn State running back is on the board at No. 4, how could Dorsey pass him up?

The argument would be that the next tier of running backs is not that far behind Barkley. Dorsey would have to devote the No. 33 or No. 35 pick to whomever is left among Derrius Guice of LSU, Ronald Jones of USC and Sony Michel of Georgia.

And Fitzpatrick would have to be too good to pass up.

The question is which position do the Browns project Fitzpatrick in their defense – cornerback or free safety? To say he is versatile enough to play either is not the answer.

This much is known: the Browns are determined to move Jabrill Peppers to his rightful position of in-the-box strong safety. If the Browns determine that McCourty can handle the free safety position full time – or if they are able to sign Joyner in free agency -- then Fitzpatrick would have to be considered a cornerback.

6. Determine if trading No. 4 is a viable option.

Dorsey was open to moving up or down in four years as Chiefs GM. Fans may be sick of seeing the Browns move down and pass up blue-chip players, but Dorsey might be enticed to trading down from No. 4.

Doing so would mean passing up Barkley and Fitzpatrick for the benefit of another second-round pick. It seems unlikely, but if the Jets (No. 6) or Cardinals (No. 15) want to move up for a quarterback, the Browns could receive a call.