At the start of 2016, Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam turned control of the team over to new GM Sashi Brown. Paul DePodesta was then hired as the team’s “Chief Strategy Officer”. These hirings meant one thing: Cleveland was relying on analytics. As they have since 1999, the Browns needed a quarterback. Cleveland rolled the dice and signed free agent Robert Griffin III to a two year deal. Cleveland then traded back in the draft, stockpiling a total of 15 selections, including a four receivers.

As I was doing my NFL draft recap, I realized that many of Cleveland’s offseason additions had one thing in common: the spread offense. In Robert Griffin’s rookie season, the Washington Redskins utilized the “spread read option” that Griffin used at Baylor. In this system, Griffin did not have to analyze defenses or go through progressions. It allowed Griffin to accentuate his strengths and completely hide his weaknesses, and it took the Redskins to the playoffs. However, when the Redskins shifted to a more conventional offense (because Griffin and owner Dan Snyder forced the coaching staff too), Griffin was not an effective quarterback and was benched for Kirk Cousins.

Baylor receiver Corey Coleman was widely considered one of the most talented receivers in this year’s draft. Coleman was a superb athlete, running sub 4.4 with a 40 inch vertical jump. Coleman’s Achilles heel was his inability to run multiple routes. In Baylor’s spread scheme, Coleman only ran 3 or 4 different routes. In a pro style offense, it takes time to learn a sophisticated route tree. Because of this, many experts thought Coleman might be the third receiver drafted. However, when Cleveland moved back to the 15th pick, they took Coleman over every other wideout.

In round four, Cleveland drafted Auburn receiver Ricardo Louis and Princeton receiver/tight end Seth DeValve. Both players played in spread systems in college. In round five, they took UCLA’s Jordan Payton, another receiver from a spread system. Last year’s third round pick Duke Johnson seems to have all the tools for a spread/read option running back. Star wideout Josh Gordon also hails from Baylor’s spread scheme.

Maybe all of these acquisitions are merely a coincidence. After all, new head coach Hue Jackson is considered an offensive guru, but he has never implemented the spread system. Many experts believe the spread wouldn’t work in the NFL, due too the mental and physical abilities of defenses. One thing is for sure: Cleveland needs to make a change. Maybe an offensive system most defensive coordinators have never seen is the secret ingredient needed to finally bring a title back to Believeland.

Be sure to check out @ACAllAmericans on twitter for more quality content.