2020 Cleveland Browns Offseason Plan

Brandon Olsen

Follow him on Twitter @WNS_Brandon

Follow Whole Nine Sports on Twitter @WholeNineSports

Team Needs:

OT, EDGE, G, S, CB, WR, TE, Backup QB, DL, LB

Available Draft Picks:

1.10, 2.41, 3.74, 3.101, 4.112, 7.224, 7.236

Starting Cap Space:

$56,267,140

Trades:

None

Restructures:

None

Cuts:

Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

LB Christian Kirksey to save $7,550,000

OT Chris Hubbard to save $4,868,750

The main idea behind these cuts is that neither Christian Kirksey or Chris Hubbard have proven that they are worth the salary that they are scheduled to make. Kirksey has had unfortunate injury luck during the 2018-2020 span to keep him on the field for only 9/32 games. Chris Hubbard has been able to stay healthy but his quality of play hasn’t been worth his contract, so he ends up being pushed away from the team here.

Re-signings:

RB Kareem Hunt for 1 year, $3,278,000 (second-round tender)

WR KhaDarel Hodge for 1 year, $660,000 (ERFA)

DB Eric Murray for 2 years, $4,000,000 ($2.5M GTD)

Kareem Hunt was an easy re-sign for the Browns provided that the new staff and front office are okay with his off-field issues that he’s faced since entering the NFL. KhaDarel Hodge is a smart depth re-signing while you still have ERFA power over him. Eric Murray wouldn’t cost the team an arm and a leg, he brings a familiar face back to the roster, and he’s versatile enough to move all-around the secondary as a chess piece.

Free Agent Signings:

G Joe Thuney for 3 years, $37,500,000 ($30M GTD)

TE Austin Hooper for 4 years, $42,000,000 ($35M GTD)

LB De’Vondre Campbell for 3 years, $33,000,000 ($25M GTD)

DT Damon Harrison for 1 year, $3,000,000 ($1.5M GTD)

QB Sean Mannion for 1 year, $1,500,000 ($800K GTD)

EDGE Damontre Moore for 1 year, $945,000 ($0 GTD)

S Adrian Phillips for 1 year, $2,400,000 ($1.5M GTD)

T Cameron Erving for 2 years, $3,200,000 ($2.1M GTD)

OW De’Anthony Thomas for 1 year, $1,100,000 ($0 GTD)

The Browns have a solid roster as it is so the primary focus in free agency should be to pick up a few immediate starters that might be more difficult to address in the draft, while adding veterans that could contribute all over the field. Joe Thuney would be able to slide in immediately to start at guard following his time in New England. From the Falcons comes Austin Hooper who should have no problem finding a role as a leader here and impact contributor over the middle while clearing up space for Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry to operate. De’Vondre Campbell gets to step into an immediate starting role in this linebacking corps and help improve this defense across the board. Cameron Erving isn’t the ideal starting option but if the Browns can’t get two starting tackles in the draft, he would be your best cheap option.

On the veteran contributor side of things, Damon Harrison has had a rough go of things in the 2019-20 NFL season so he’s a veteran leader that can still contribute as a run defender who won’t cost an arm and a leg. His relationship with Odell Beckham Jr. and familiarity with Olivier Vernon could be enticing for Snacks. Damontre Moore and Sean Mannion are both signings that you hope don’t play much but if they’re needed, could likely step in and not kill the team.

Adrian Phillips and De’Anthony Thomas could likely step in and contribute in backup roles, but Phillips could also challenge for a starting job in the secondary. Thomas would be more of a gadget player but he adds some depth at receiver, a contributor on special teams, and warrants attention from the defense whenever he’s on the field.

Draft Results:

Graphic Made by Cory Skloff

Pick 1.10 – K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU

I know that the first thought people want here is for the Browns to take an offensive lineman first but after the Combine, the only option I see available here is Mekhi Becton, who I don’t think is anywhere close to being worth the tenth pick. Drafting K’Lavon Chaisson gives the Browns a hard-working edge defender who’s capable of both rushing the passer and defending the run. Chaisson’s age is another major positive, as he will be just 20 years old at the time of the draft and doesn’t turn 21 until late July. Giving Chaisson the opportunity to learn behind Garrett and Vernon while not rushing him into the lineup could be huge for his development.

Pick 2.41 – Lucas Niang, OT, TCU

The Browns get to address the offensive line here and draft a starting tackle on day two. Niang is a truly polished pass-rusher who was unfortunately injured during the 2019 season. With the ability to step in immediately as the best pass-blocking tackle on the team, Niang would be a very welcome addition in front of Baker Mayfield.

Pick 3.74 – Jeremy Chinn, S/LB, Southern Illinois

From a small school, Jeremy Chinn doesn’t have a ton of hype attached to his name but that’s changing. Chinn is an athletic freak that needs to work a bit on his awareness but he’s a ball hawk that’s more than willing to get busy in the run game.

Pick 3.101 – Michael Pittman Jr., WR, USC

While the Browns are set at the top of their receiver depth chart, there isn’t much promise behind Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry. Drafting a true X receiver like Michael Pittman Jr. could allow more opportunities for Beckham and Landry to work in the slot while keeping a viable receiving threat on the outside. Pittman also brings a whole new threat in the red zone for this Browns offense.

Pick 4.112 – Parnell Motley, CB, Oklahoma

One of the most disrespected and underrated names in the 2020 NFL Draft class, Parnell Motley out of Oklahoma was a complete stud this season. IF you are not familiar with the name or tape, watch either of the games against Baylor, where Motley was given the job of guarding Denzel Mims of Baylor, who many are regarding as a potential first-round pick now. Also the Oklahoma vs LSU game where when matched up, Motley did more than hold his own against Biletnikoff Award winner Ja’Marr Chase.

Pick 7.224 – Tyler Huntley, QB, Utah

Huntley isn’t the ideal backup quarterback but keeping him around as a QB3 or on the practice squad for a year isn’t a bad idea. A great athlete for a quarterback, if he’s given proper coaching, Huntley could develop into a legitimate backup and potential trade option toward the end of his contract.

Pick 7.236 – Dele Harding, LB, Illinois

Dele Harding is a tackling machine from the second level with the ability to meet running backs at the line of scrimmage and let them know where they went wrong. Harding is more of a run stuffer than anything else but he’s shown the ability to make some plays in coverage.

Cap Space Spent on Re-signings:

$5,938,000

Cap Space Spent on Free Agents:

$44,545,000

Cap Space Spent on Draft Picks:

$8,849,654

Total Cap Remaining:

$9,353,236

Backfield

(John Kuntz, cleveland.com)

QB: Baker Mayfield

RB: Nick Chubb

Pass Catchers

WR1: Odell Beckham Jr.

WR2: Jarvis Landry

WR3: Michael Pittman Jr.

TE1: Austin Hooper

TE2: David Njoku

Offensive Line

LT: Lucas Niang

LG: Joel Bitonio

C: JC Tretter

RG: Joe Thuney

RT: Cameron Erving

Defensive Line

DE: Myles Garrett

DT: Larry Ogunjobi

DT: Sheldon Richardson

DE: Olivier Vernon

Linebacker Starters

(AP Photo/David Dermer)

SAM: Sione Takitaki

MIKE: De’Vondre Campbell

WILL: Mack Wilson

Secondary Starters

CB: Denzel Ward

CB: Greedy Williams

Nickel: Parnell Motley

S: Jeremy Chinn

S: Adrian Phillips

Special Teamers

(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

K: Austin Seibert

P: Jamie Gillan

KOS: Austin Seibert

LS: Charley Hughlett

KR: De’Anthony Thomas

PR: Jarvis Landry