Browns’ biggest offseason mistake could bite them at anytime during the 2024 NFL season
Cleveland Browns have made it through their offseason checklist and we are just patiently waiting for training camp. The Browns have done plenty of good this offseason and trading for wide receiver Jerry Jeudy may be at the top of that list. Additions of linebacker Jordan Hicks, defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr., and running back […]
Cleveland Browns have made it through their offseason checklist and we are just patiently waiting for training camp.
The Browns have done plenty of good this offseason and trading for wide receiver Jerry Jeudy may be at the top of that list. Additions of linebacker Jordan Hicks, defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr., and running back Nyhiem Hines were some of my favorite moves.
It is important to point out that the offseason has not been perfect for the Browns. Today, I will be taking a look at perhaps the biggest issue I have with what the Browns have done over the past few months.
Cleveland did not sign or draft a pass-catching tight end
When the Browns allowed tight end Harrison Bryant to walk in free agency and sign with the Las Vegas Raiders, the thought was that they would be replacing him. They did but it wasn’t the most ideal of ways. Cleveland signed tight end/full back Giovanni Ricci and while he is going to be a positive in the run game, he has nine career receptions in 36 games.
Bryant was not a world-beater for the Browns but he was capable and added depth as a pass-catching tight end. The former Browns draft pick had three touchdowns last year and 10 total in four seasons with the Browns.
Behind David Njoku, the Browns will be relying on Jordan Akins to be the second tight end. Akins is in his second year with the Browns and had the worst season of his career last year with no touchdowns and 132 receiving yards in 17 games.
After Akins, Cleveland has Zaire Mitchell-Paden trying to crack the roster. Mitchell-Paden is a raw player at the position but physically gifted at 6-foot-5 and 255 pounds. Cleveland kept him on the practice squad last season. Treyton Welch is an undrafted free agent out of Wyoming who will try to make the roster as well.
Njoku has been tough as nails for the Browns, especially last season when he was burned badly by a small fire and still went out and played. If Njoku was to go down with an injury, the Browns would be in a terrible spot with Akins leading the room. The decision to not draft or sign a true tight end would end up being an issue.
Tight ends that remain free agents that could be of interest for Cleveland are Tyler Kroger, Geoff Swaim, and veteran Jimmy Graham. Cleveland may be fine with rolling with Mitchell-Paden and Welch fighting for a spot at the end of the roster or to be a practice squad call-up.
With the injury issues that the Browns had last year, not signing another tight end could end up being a move that comes back in a negative way and the Browns regret it.
NFL writer projects that Browns’ Deshaun Watson will have the exact season that the team has been waiting for
Best case scenario for Cleveland.
