Kevin Stefanski and Andrew Berry make their first appearance in front of national media on Tuesday at the NFL Combine. (CBSSports)
You must have an active subscription to read this story.
Click Here to subscribe Now!
Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
It’s time for Kevin Stefanski and Andrew Berry to go to work on the Browns’ roster.
The new coach and general manager – and their staffs – head to their first NFL Combine as partners this week.
The next New Browns Order also features Paul DePodesta, chief strategy officer, as a de facto president of operations; former Alec Scheiner-appointee Ken Kovash as a reinvented VP of football/analytics operations; and ex-Colts GM Ryan Grigson as Berry’s part-time – for now -- senior consultant.
Stefanski and Berry will make their first appearance in front of national media on Tuesday in the NFL media room in the Indianapolis Convention Center. They will impress in that setting, especially Stefanski, for commanding a room is a skill of the new coach.
Far more important to their cause, of course, are the tasks of familiarizing themselves with the 2020 class of draft-eligible players, meeting with player agents of veterans approaching free agency, and networking with coaches and GMs to plant the seeds of future trades.
Mock draft season on TheLandOnDemand.com kicks off on Friday. But the fact is mock drafts are mostly wild stabs until free agency clarifies team needs. Free agency begins on March 18; the draft is April 23-25.
As revealed in our recent series on Browns position groups, there are holes in all areas of the roster left by John Dorsey. There is a lot of work to be done on a team that went 6-10 and 7-8-1 the past two seasons.
Even though those were the best back-to-back records in the eight years of Jimmy Haslam family ownership, Haslam re-committed to full-bore analytics under the leadership of DePodesta. The Stefanski-Berry partnership was masterminded by him.
While Stefanski and his coaches undoubtedly will have voices in the acquisition of players, Berry technically has the final say under the new operation installed by Haslam.
“We are not going to limit ourselves to one method of player acquisition,” Berry said. “If we can be targeted and strategic on the free agent market, we are going to be aggressive there. If there is anything that I want to be defined by, it is aggression. We want to aggressively acquire talent because that is the name of the game from an NFL front office perspective, and we are going to explore every avenue that enables us to do that.”
After examining all Browns position groups, here is a ranking of the team needs and analysis of ways to address them.
1. Offensive tackle
Needs: Two starting tackles.
Free agent possibilities: Anthony Castonzo (Colts), 32; Jack Conklin (Titans), 26; Bryan Bulaga (Packers), 31; Germain Ifedi (Seahawks), 26; Halapoulivaati Vaitai (Eagles), 27.
Draft possibilities: Jedrick Wills, Alabama; Tristan Wirfs, Iowa; Mekhi Becton, Louisville; Andrew Thomas, Georgia; Josh Jones, Houston; Austin Jackson, Southern California.
Analysis: Ideally, you’d sign a left tackle in free agency to ease the pressure on a high draft choice and not have to break him in at the more challenging position. There may be more natural left tackles in the draft, however, than in free agency. Browns right tackle Chris Hubbard is under contract and should be included in the mix unless a roster move happens. A key factor to consider is the priority for athleticism over power, as the Browns transition to the wide zone blocking scheme preferred by Stefanski.
2. Safety
Needs: Starters at free and strong safety.
Free agent possibilities: Jimmie Ward (49ers), 29; Anthony Harris (Vikings), 28; Tre Boston (Panthers), 28; Justin Simmons (Broncos), 26; Darian Thompson (Cowboys), 26.
Draft possibilities: Xavier McKinney, Alabama; Grant Delpit, Louisiana State; Ashtyn Davis, California; Antoine Winfield Jr., Minnesota.
Analysis: Ward, Harris and Simmons all have associations with new defensive coordinator Joe Woods. The safety market in free agency went through the roof last year, and it’s unlikely the Browns would pay for two starters. In his second year, Sheldrick Redwine should compete for a starting job. Another competitor should come from the draft, but most likely not in the first round.
3. Linebacker
Needs: A starting-caliber veteran and a developmental rookie.
Free agent possibilities: Joe Schobert (Browns), 26; Eric Wilson (Vikings), 25; Elijah Lee (49ers), 24.
Draft possibilities: Isaiah Simmons, Clemson; Patrick Queen, Louisiana State; Zack Baun, Wisconsin; Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma; Malik Harrison, Ohio State.
Analysis: Since this position is devalued in the Browns’ defense – the majority of money goes to the defensive line and secondary – it’s doubtful they would shell out big bucks for a blue-chip linebacker in free agency. Re-signing Schobert would be a big-ticket item in itself, and the Browns have dragged their feet on him. Perhaps they will make a belated attempt at the combine. So I think if they sign a veteran, he most likely will be a cheaper up-and-comer with experience on special teams. Wilson and Lee fit that profile and have associations with Stefanski and DC Joe Woods, respectively. Each is a restricted free agent and their appeal would depend on their teams giving them the original draft tender rather than a second-round tender.
4. Quarterback
Needs: A veteran to push Baker Mayfield on the practice field and back him up, one capable of winning if pressed into duty.
Free agent possibilities: Case Keenum (Redskins), 32; Colt McCoy (Redskins), 32.
Analysis: Keenum had his best NFL season of nine in 2017 with the Vikings when Stefanski was quarterback coach. He made eight starts for the Redskins last year (winning just one) with Bill Callahan as offensive line coach and then interim head coach. Believe it or not, McCoy has evolved into the “dependable veteran backup QB” profile. He has appeared in only six games in four years, starting three, and hasn’t won a start since 2014. But the Stefanski offense might be a decent fit for his skill-set.
5. Tight end
Need: Stefanski favors a two-tight end alignment. One has to be a seam-splitting pass catcher and the other a conventional in-line blocker with catching ability. The Browns have a few candidates in the former category, none in the latter.
Free agent possibilities: Nick O’Leary (Jaguars), 28.
Draft possibilities: Stephen Sullivan, Louisiana State; Sean McKeon, Michigan; Charlie Woerner, Georgia.
Analysis: O’Leary was the league’s best tight end in pass blocking rankings posted by Pro Football Focus, allowing zero pressures in 31 pass-blocking snaps. The Browns subscribe to the service, by the way. The draft possibilities are all late-round prospects because of little production as receivers.