JoJo Natson is the Browns' first full-time return specialist since 2015. (latimes.com)
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
The Browns are winning the offseason (again), at least in numbers.
Other teams have made acquisitions that created a bigger splash (e.g. Tampa Bay’s signing of Tom Brady, and Arizona’s trade for DeAndre Hopkins).
And other teams have spent more money (e.g. Miami spent $163 million in maximum contracts on three players alone).
But no team can match the Browns’ 10 signings and one trade.
Andrew Berry’s first shopping spree as Browns GM was logical and prudent -- but not quite season-changing.
His biggest two contracts were not exorbitantly over market. Seven of his signings were for one year “prove it” deals, which incentivizes the players to over-produce and limits the team’s commitment beyond 2020.
Winning the offseason in numbers does not guarantee winning it in production, of course. Some of these players could fall by the wayside and not even make the final roster.
Here is how we rank the Browns’ new additions based on projected impact on the 2020 season.
1. Offensive tackle Jack Conklin.
In their announcement, the Browns called Conklin “a cornerstone right tackle.” He would be their first regarded as such since they let Mitchell Schwartz walk in free agency in 2016. Having that position secured benefits Baker Mayfield, clarifies the draft priority at left tackle and frees the team to cut Chris Hubbard ($7.268 million cap figure) or transition him to right guard.
2. Tight end Austin Hooper.
Kevin Stefanski’s two-tight end offense should be a huge asset for Mayfield and David Njoku. The last two seasons in Atlanta, Hooper averaged 73 receptions and five touchdowns, and a 79 percent catch rate. Similar numbers with the Browns would have a tremendous impact on the Browns’ offense.
3. Cornerback Kevin Johnson.
The 2015 first-round pick had no interceptions and only five pass breakups in 16 games with the Bills last year, but as the Browns’ projected top nickel back, he should exceed his 336 defensive snaps with Buffalo – if he stays healthy.
4. Quarterback Case Keenum.
His knowledge of the Stefanski offense and his winning experience under him with Minnesota in 2017 is hard to quantify. Safe to say, the coach believes he can win with Keenum, if needed. Keenum’s more immediate impact would appear to be in support of Mayfield as a mentor. Keenum may be good enough to win a few games, but he is non-threatening enough to avoid a controversy.
5. Safety Karl Joseph.
The 2016 first-round pick made 41 starts in four years with the Raiders as a big-hitting strong safety with limited capacity in coverage. In three of four years, he averaged less than 60 percent of the defense’s snap counts. Right now, he projects as the starting strong safety, which gives him the potential to have more impact than any of the defensive acquisitions.
6. Fullback Andy Janovich.
The Browns haven’t fielded a pure fullback since Lawrence Vickers in 2010. He was strictly a lead-blocker for 1,100-yard rusher Peyton Hillis. Like Kyle Shanahan, Stefanski uses the fullback as a lead blocker in short-yardage and goal-line formations, as a surprise ball-carrier and a safety valve receiver in key situations. He may line up on only 20 percent of offensive snaps, but they will be critical snaps.
7. Linebacker B.J. Goodson.
Until further notice, he projects as third linebacker on run downs. In that role with Green Bay, he played 24 percent of the Packers’ defensive snaps in 2019.
8. Defensive tackle Andrew Billings.
He started 37 games the past three years as the nose tackle next to Geno Atkins in the Bengals’ 4-3 defense. With the Browns, he projects as the top rotational tackle behind Sheldon Richardson and Larry Ogunjobi.
9. Returner JoJo Natson.
The Browns haven’t scored a return touchdown since 2015 when Travis Benjamin was their full-time return specialist. Since then, the position has been auditioned by part-timers Raheem Mostert, Justin Gilbert, Duke Johnson, Corey Coleman, Matthew Dayes, Jabrill Peppers, Dontrell Hilliard and Tavierre Thomas. Natson is a full-time specialist, but his career best averages of 10.8 on punts and 22.4 on kickoffs are unspectacular. At 5-7, 153 pounds, he’s the littlest Brown since Gerald (Ice Cube) McNeil of the late 1980s.
10. Safety Andrew Sendejo.
In his prime, Sendejo was an enforcer-type tackler in the Minnesota secondary. That was five years ago. He’ll be 33 this season and projects as a backup to either safety position and senior member in the DB room.
11. Cornerback Donovan Olumba.
Via Portland State, he spent two years on the Dallas practice squad and saw action in the final game last year. He became available after the Cowboys coaching change to Mike McCarthy. Olumba’s size (6-2 and 208 pounds) is enticing and makes him worth a look in camp.