CLEVELAND, Ohio -- I'm delighted with the trades made by the Cleveland Browns.

This is a team that was 0-16 in 2017 ... 1-15 in 2016 ... 3-13 in 2015.

Average-to-above-average NFL players will make an immediate impact.

I'm talking about veterans such as Tyrod Taylor, Jarvis Landry and Damarious Randall.

But a dose of realism is in order.

One fan emailed me about Taylor not being any better than Brian Hoyer.

Not sure that's true. But the Brian Hoyer of 2013-14 had a 10-6 record as a starter with the Browns.

If Taylor can deliver something like that, wouldn't you sign up for it?

WHY TAYLOR WAS TRADED

Taylor has weaknesses. That's why the Buffalo Bills traded him to the Browns for a third-round pick.

Despite his 22-20 record as a starter in Buffalo, the Bills didn't think he was worth his $16 million salary this season. In fact, the Bills now don't have a starting quarterback.

Who knows, maybe AJ McCarron ends up in Buffalo.

Taylor threw only 14 touchdown passes last season -- ranking 25th among NFL starting quarterbacks. His longest completion was for 47 yards.

He's not a big play guy -- and the Bills want more game-winning plays from their quarterback.

The Browns want fewer game-losing throws.

Taylor's four interceptions were the fewest of any starter in 2017.

The Browns threw six interceptions in the RED ZONE last season. They had an NFL-high 28 interceptions overall.

Late in the season, I was sitting with some Browns beat writers. We were discussing how many games the Browns would have won with even mediocre quarterback play -- someone such as Taylor.

The answer was "at least three or four."

That's why it was smart to add Taylor -- but the Browns also must grab a quarterback high in the draft.

WHY LANDRY WILL BE OVERPAID

Landry caught an eye-popping 112 passes for Miami last season.

But his average per catch was 8.8 yards in 2017.

Some football people believe a wide receiver who can't average at least 10 yards per reception is unlikely to be effective.

He's certainly not worth the $16 million Landry was about to be paid as he was tagged a franchise player by the Dolphins.

His lack of big-play ability is why the Browns needed to trade only fourth- and seventh-round draft picks for a Pro Bowl receiver.

But just like with Taylor, Landry must be viewed in context of the Browns.

He's only 25 years old. He has played every game in the last four seasons, catching exactly 400 passes.

Browns receivers such as Josh Gordon (suspensions), Corey Coleman (injuries) or countless ineffective others can't stay on the field very long.

The Browns need reliability at the position. He will be a slot receiver. Of his 400 receptions, 220 went for first downs.

Landry is reliable and can help a short-passing quarterback such as Taylor keep drives alive.

What Landry and Taylor do is bring the Browns some professionalism at two positions where that has been lacking for a few years.

The Browns have oodles of salary cap cash. They can "overpay" for Taylor and Landry and still have more than $80 million in salary cap room.

HE GOT A BREAK

That's what I thought when DeShone Kizer was sent to Green Bay as part of the deal bringing Randall to Cleveland.

Yes, Randall was inconsistent with the Packers. The defensive back could be temperamental and had some issues with Coach Mike McCarthy.

So let's not pretend Randall is Joe Haden in his prime.

But let's also realize the lack of depth the Browns have in the defensive secondary. They probably can find a role for Randall as cornerback or free safety.

Kizer was going to be the No. 3 quarterback here. It was clear the Browns had lost confidence in him.

As for Danny Shelton being shipped to New England, he doesn't fit the Browns current 4-3 defensive scheme.

Shelton was the Browns 2015 first-round pick assigned to play in the middle of the 3-4 defense. That choice was made by Ray Farmer -- two general managers ago.

Shelton had some knee problems. He was OK, but rarely an impact player.

The Browns correctly believe they have young defensive tackles who can play just as well: Larry Ogunjobi, Caleb Brantley, Trevon Coley and Jamie Meder. They are cheaper and better fits for the Gregg Williams defense.

The trades should not inspire fans to suddenly talk playoffs.

Nor should they obsess on some of the weaknesses the new players bring to the Browns. There are reasons the price tags for these veterans were relatively modest.

The bottom line is the Browns should be improved by these moves -- and they remain poised to make impact picks in the draft.