The building of the Browns was a group effort topped off by Andrew Berry

Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.

One of the smart things Andrew Berry did in his first year as Browns GM was keep an open mind about players acquired previously who may have fallen out of favor with the previous regime.

The overall roster Berry inherited was strong, but tweaks were necessary to meet the needs of the new offense and defense installed by new coach Kevin Stefanski and his staff. It was important for Berry not to create additional holes by shipping out players unnecessarily.

That sounds obvious, but how many times have the Browns changed regimes and recklessly banished players simply because they didn’t acquire them? (Think Mitchell Schwartz.) Instead, Berry sought to keep players of value even though his personnel staff did not acquire them.

Players who fall into this category include receiver Rashard Higgins, offensive lineman Chris Hubbard, tight end David Njoku and, to some degree, defensive end Olivier Vernon.

Higgins was a member of the first Sashi Brown draft class of 2016. In fact, he’s the only player left of 14 players and four receivers taken. He survived the two-years regime of GM John Dorsey while on his rookie contract, but found himself locked in coach Freddie Kitchens’ doghouse last year.

With free agency beckoning, Berry re-signed him to a one-year deal for the NFL minimum. Higgins responded with his best season (35 receptions, 544 yards, four touchdowns). He strengthened unusual chemistry on the field with Baker Mayfield and earned consideration for more security – a possible multi-year contract and increased role in years ahead.

Hubbard was an expensive ($37.5 million/five years) free agent addition of Dorsey, recommended by former offensive coordinator Todd Haley. He started two years at right tackle, then was replaced by more expensive free agent Jack Conklin when Berry and Stefanski took over.

But the new coaches saw Hubbard as a valuable sixth man. Hubbard agreed to a pay cut from $6.15 million to $2.5 million. Until Hubbard suffered a season-ending knee injury last week against the Giants, he had started one game at right tackle, three at right guard, and also filled in at left tackle for a few snaps.

Njoku was another pick of the Brown regime. Brown traded up from the second round to take Njoku 29th overall in the 2017 draft. Dorsey didn’t like him and Kitchens eventually locked him in his doghouse, too.

Njoku’s future was cloudy when the Browns had to decide on picking up his fifth-year option in May. They signed Austin Hooper in free agency and drafted Harrison Bryant, and liked Stephen Carlson, an undrafted player who saw time late last season. Berry decided to pick up Njoku’s fifth-year option in May and then resisted Njoku’s repeated requests to be traded.

Njoku’s numbers (13 receptions, 174 yards, two TD) aren’t impressive for a first-round pick, but he is valuable insurance as a third tight end.

Vernon was acquired by Dorsey in the mega-deal with the Giants involving Odell Beckham Jr. The hefty contract inherited by the Browns would have paid Vernon $15.5 million this year.

Berry negotiated a restructuring that lowered Vernon’s salary cap number to $11 million. Vernon responded with his best season in two years with the Browns (seven sacks, three passes defensed, a forced fumble and fumble recovery, and a safety).

How they were built

With two games to play, the Browns are having the best season of their 22-year expansion era. They can wrap up their first playoff berth since 2002 if all goes right this weekend, and can play Pittsburgh for their first division title since 1989 in Week 17 if certain things happen.

Berry inherited a quality roster built by Dorsey. But the roster the Browns take to play the Jets on Sunday will have 24 new players from the team that finished the 2019 season with a 6-10 record.

Below is a breakdown of the key contributors in this historical Browns season, including some on injured reserve, and who was responsible for acquiring them.

GM Ray Farmer, 2014-15

Left guard Joel Bitonio, long snapper Charley Hughlett.

GM Sashi Brown, 2016-17

Receiver Rashard Higgins, defensive end Myles Garrett, tight end David Njoku, defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi, center JC Tretter.

GM John Dorsey, 2018-19

Quarterback Baker Mayfield, cornerback Denzel Ward, running back Nick Chubb, offensive lineman Chris Hubbard, cornerback Terrance Mitchell, receiver Jarvis Landry, receiver Odell Beckham Jr., cornerback Tavierre Thomas, cornerback Greedy Williams, linebacker Sione Takitaki, safety Sheldrick Redwine, linebacker Mack Wilson, offensive lineman Kendall Lamm, defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson, defensive end Olivier Vernon, tight end Stephen Carlson, punter Jamie Gillan, running back D’Ernest Johnson, running back Kareem Hunt, guard Wyatt Teller, receiver KhaDarel Hodge, linebacker Tae Davis.

GM Andrew Berry, 2020

Offensive tackle Jedrick Wills, safety Grant Delpit, defensive tackle Jordan Elliott, linebacker Jacob Phillips, tight end Harrison Bryant, offensive lineman Nick Harris, receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones, defensive end Adrian Clayborn, offensive tackle Jack Conklin, tight end Austin Hooper, linebacker B.J. Phillips, cornerback Kevin Johnson, safety Andrew Sendejo, safety Karl Joseph, quarterback Case Keenum, cornerback Robert Jackson, kicker Cody Parkey, linebacker Malcolm Smith, safety Ronnie Harrison, fullback Andy Janovich.

So the majority of the 10-win team (so far) in 2020 was in place before Berry and Stefanski took over.

But Berry’s additions have been significant, and Stefanski’s coaches have melded them into a team that is perhaps one win from breaking an 18-year playoff drought and two from claiming its first division title in 31 years.