How the Browns can fix their biggest problem in 2018
As everyone knows by now, the Browns are the second team in NFL history to finish 0-16. They've won just a single game over the past two years under head coach Hue Jackson.
There are many problems here, but excluding the quarterback situation, the roster isn't a lost cause. In fact, when you factor in its cap space and draft capital, you can argue Cleveland is in good shape for the future.
New general manager John Dorsey is in an enviable position to build a winner, but his biggest obstacles are the men above and below him on the food chain, as well as the difficult task of finding a franchise quarterback. I'll focus on the latter.
Jackson's offense was unfriendly to a rookie quarterback from a schematic and tactical vantage point, and his handling of DeShone Kizer was questionable. Compounding matters, the Browns made a mind-boggling number of unforced errors, and their -28 turnover differential was 11 worse than the 31st-ranked team in this crucial statistic. When you're turning the ball over on average about two times more per game than your opponent, you're not going to win in this league.
The Browns have a young roster with a lot of promising players. Unlike previous offseasons, there isn't one obvious area in need of an upgrade, with the exception of quarterback. This isn't necessarily good news, but it means Cleveland should be able to grab the best player available in the draft rather than worrying about filling a position. Also, the Browns only have one free agent of note that could be leaving town: running back Isaiah Crowell.
Wide receivers Corey Coleman and Josh Gordon are hard to count on, but they're clearly very talented. Adding a tackle opposite Joe Thomas who could eventually be his successor would certainly be appreciated. But more than anything on this offense, having a competent quarterback would alleviate a lot of concerns and elevate everyone involved.
Cleveland could also use a bit of everything on defense. Myles Garrett could develop into a Defensive Player of the Year foundation player. Danny Shelton is a rock in the middle of the defensive line. The Browns have a nice find in Jason McCourty. But, again, they shouldn't ignore any position, and the secondary should certainly be this team's top priority besides quarterback.
The Browns would be crazy to discard Kizer, who progressed slowly throughout the season, but they absolutely need a veteran QB with some pedigree.
With the first and fourth overall selections, they'll have their choice of any quarterback in this draft class. Unlike last year, when Cleveland took Garrett, it doesn't look like there's a non-quarterback that stands above all the other prospects. Saquon Barkley might be that elite prospect, but many people in the know have mixed opinions as to whether drafting a running back that early is ever a good idea. That's certainly debatable.
Here are two tactics the Browns should consider to finally fix their quarterback situation, and, remember, free agency occurs well before the draft, so that order of operations is important. Also, remember the Browns have so much in the way of draft picks that they could move up from the fourth spot or even back into the first round with their two early second-round selections.
Approach #1: Go all in for Kirk Cousins
Does Cousins want to play for the Browns? Maybe not, but making him the league's highest-paid player might be enough to lure him to Cleveland. Is he worthy of such a contract? Of course not, but he would immediately make this team competitive, and Cousins throwing to Gordon, Coleman, David Njoku, and Duke Johnson and handing the ball to Barkley, perhaps behind a very good offensive line, doesn't sound so bad. If this works out, Kizer becomes the developmental guy and the Browns use their bevy of draft picks all over their roster. Of course, Cousins would break the bank, but that doesn't mean Cleveland couldn't add other free-agent pieces as well.
Approach #2: Add another veteran quarterback with some pedigree
This offseason is going to be crazy with quarterback movement, and the Browns need to add someone who, at a minimum, can hold down the fort, orchestrate offense like a professional, and not crush the team. There will be many options that fit this bill, including Alex Smith, Eli Manning, Tyrod Taylor, AJ McCarron, and Teddy Bridgewater. Some would cost the Browns a draft pick, but draft capital is something they have plenty of. If they go this route, they should still use a high pick on the position. Let's say their quarterbacks on opening day are Taylor, Kizer, and Josh Rosen, and they're able to draft another great prospect like Barkley, or Minkah Fitzpatrick, who could boost the secondary, or Bradley Chubb, who could play opposite Garrett for years?
All is not lost going forward for this winless franchise. That is, if you happen to believe in ownership and the head coach.
Matt Williamson is a former scout for the Cleveland Browns and spent 10 years at ESPN as a scout and co-host of "The Football Today Podcast." Find him on Twitter @WilliamsonNFL.