CLEVELAND — It's weird to be a Browns fan tonight.
For years, the NFL Draft was our 'Super Bowl.' It was one of the few times where we could have glimmers of hope that the best days were just around the corner for the team that has yet to play on Super Sunday and has managed just one playoff appearance since returning to the NFL 20 years ago.
Some of the most memorable experiences of my 21-year professional career have been focused on the zaniness that is the NFL Draft. From Eric Mangini's trade-down trifecta in 2009, to Manziel-mania in 2014, to last year's Baker Bowl.
Even if the Browns hadn't traded their first-round pick to the Giants last month for Odell Beckham Jr, this draft would still be more or less an afterthought for most fans.
The moves the team made in trades and free agency were more important.
Heck, last week's schedule release was more important.
You know why? Because finally the Cleveland Browns are in a 'win now' mode. And it feels great.
That said, there are still some important things to watch as the draft plays itself out this weekend.
Will the team trade up into the first round?
I'm not very confident that this will happen, but you never know. There could be a player that they absolutely love that slips to the bottom of the round. Remember, their first pick isn't until #17 of Round 2, the No. 49 overall pick. That's a long way to move up. You would have to part with next year's first-round pick at least to make something happen.
"The Voice of the Browns," Jim Donovan, thought that one possibility would be for the Browns to move up to take highly-touted, but injured DT Jeffery Simmons. The 6-foot-4, 301-pound Mississippi State product is currently recovering from a torn ACL, so going for him is almost like giving him a redshirt for next year.
Positions of Need
The Browns are indeed a playoff contender. However, they are far from a finished product. Jimmy feels there are several positions that the team will likely focus on, especially in Rounds 2-5:
- Cornerback
- Linebacker
- Offensive tackle
- Running back
Don't be alarmed by the cornerback mention. The Browns love Denzel Ward. They love Terrance Mitchell. They love T.J. Carrie. However, they love depth even more. All three players sustained injuries last year so upgrading there makes sense.
It's somewhat of a surprise that the Browns have been quiet thus far at the linebacker spot this offseason. One of the big takeaways from the team's 2018 season-ending loss to the Ravens was how slow their linebackers looked against Baltimore's skill players. If the season started today, the Browns would have Genard Avery, Joe Schobert, and Christian Kirksey starting there. You have to believe that they want to get someone else in there for depth and competition.
Our colleague Ben Axelrod put forth 10 names to watch for the Browns to take in the second round. Note how many of them are in the above position categories.
Will there be veterans traded this weekend?
One of the reasons why running back is a need for the Browns is the future of Duke Johnson in Cleveland is uncertain. With the offseason addition of Kareem Hunt, there won't be much room for Johnson once Hunt's 8-game suspension is over. Johnson has not participated in the Browns' voluntary offseason workouts and has been the subject of trade rumors.
This week, another Browns veteran popped up on the trade rumor mill. The MMQB's Albert Breer says while the team isn't actively shopping Schobert, his name is coming up in trade discussions.
One thing GM John Dorsey has shown during his time in Cleveland is that he's not afraid to deal away veteran players. If the right trade comes along, who knows?
Finally fans, while it's not going to be the 'Super Bowl' we've come to know, enjoy this weekend. Your team is relevant again. That's worth celebrating.
Watch the Donovan Live Postgame Show in the player below. Mobile users can click here.