The Browns enter the 2021 offseason as the No. 4 choice in the AFC to win the Super Bowl, according to multiple sports books. (Los Angeles Times)
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
It doesn’t take long to turn the page on an NFL season.
Within hours after Tampa Bay trounced Kansas City, 31-9, in Super Bowl 55, sports books were posting early lines on Super Bowl 56.
The wise guys in the desert see the Browns as the fourth-best team in the AFC next year.
At least three of them -- William Hill, BetOnline, and DraftKings – were undaunted by the egg laid by the Chiefs and listed Patrick Mahomes’ team as the favorite to win it all in the 2021 season. They differed on whether Tampa Bay or Green Bay should be regarded as second or third choice, and whether Buffalo or Baltimore should be regarded next-best to Kansas City in the AFC.
But they all agreed the Browns were No. 4 in the AFC.
Yes, expectations will be different for the Browns in 2021. Externally and internally.
GM Andrew Berry and coach Kevin Stefanski and their staffs now have completed their deep dive on the 2020 team that won 11 regular-season games and one in the post-season. Out of those evaluations emerged a rough blueprint to guide Berry’s attempts to close the gap on Kansas City, Buffalo and Baltimore.
Before attention turns to the oncoming transaction season, we take one last look at the Browns’ position groups as the 2020 season came to a close.
Quarterbacks
Under contract: Baker Mayfield, Case Keenum, Kyle Lauletta.
Takeaways
1.Mayfield’s proven durability is an asset that gets overlooked.
2.Still, Keenum’s value increases as a backup QB steeped in Stefanski’s system as the team competes for the division title.
3.Mayfield’s fifth-year option will be picked up in May. Based on post-season comments by Berry and Stefanski, expect the Browns to ramp up negotiations for a long-term extension by July to head off new contracts for Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen.
Running backs
Under contract: Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, D’Ernest Johnson, Andy Janovich, Johnny Stanton, John Kelly.
Takeaways
1.Entering the final year of his rookie contract, Chubb figures to be a high priority after Mayfield. Theoretically, the Browns have all of the 2021 season to work on a new deal.
2.A normal offseason (read: post-pandemic) should give the coaches ample time to create a package of plays incorporating Chubb and Hunt on the field together.
3.Janovich ranked eighth among fullbacks in total offensive snaps with 389 and ninth in percentage of offensive snaps at 16.1 percent.
Wide receivers
Under contract: Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Ryan Switzer, Ja’Marcus Bradley, Derrick Willies, Alexander Hollins.
Not under contract: Rashard Higgins, KhaDarel Hodge, JoJo Natson, Taywan Taylor, Marvin Hall.
Takeaways
1.Beckham’s $12.79 million guarantee as a result of his ACL tear and his subsequent rehabilitation make him virtually untradeable.
2.Entering the fourth year of his five-year deal, Landry’s only guaranteed money amounts to a $703,000 roster bonus. His $14.75 million salary cap number might need to be reduced.
3.Free agents Higgins (unrestricted) and Hodge (restricted) should be re-signed.
Tight ends
Under contract: Austin Hooper, Harrison Bryant, David Njoku, Kyle Markway, Jordan Franks.
Not under contract: Stephen Carlson.
Takeaways
1.Njoku’s non-guaranteed $6.013 million doesn’t make sense for a No. 3 tight end.
2.Hooper is due for a $3 million raise after an unspectacular 46-catch season.
3.Carlson could elevate to No. 3 if re-signed.
Offensive linemen
Under contract: Jedrick Wills, Joel Bitonio, JC Tretter, Wyatt Teller, Jack Conklin, Chris Hubbard, Nick Harris, Drew Forbes, Drake Dorbeck, Malcolm Pridgeon, Colby Gossett, Javon Patterson, Alex Taylor.
Not under contract: Kendall Lamm, Anthony Fabiano, Blake Hance, Michael Dunn.
Takeaways
1.If nothing else, 2020 showed the line is only as strong as its backups.
2.Time to pay the piper for the indispensable Tretter. His base salary increases from $4 million to $9.1 million in Year 3 of a four-year contract.
3.Hubbard’s value increases, if he’s OK after knee surgery, because of Lamm’s contract status.
Defensive linemen
Under contract: Myles Garrett, Sheldon Richardson, Adrian Clayborn, Jordan Elliott, Andrew Billings, Curtis Weaver, Joe Jackson, Trevon Young, Cameron Malveaux.
Not under contract: Larry Ogunjobi, Olivier Vernon, Vincent Taylor, Porter Gustin, George Obinna.
Takeaways
1.A veteran left end (J.J. Watt?) to complement Garrett looms as perhaps the No. 1 offseason priority.
2.Believe it or not, Taylor could be a prominent player if re-signed.
3.As good as he’s been, Richardson could be targeted for a paycut to lower his $13.6 million cap number.
Linebackers
Under contract: Sione Takitaki, Mack Wilson, Jacob Phillips, Montrel Meander.
Not under contract: B.J. Goodson, Malcolm Smith, Tae Davis.
Takeaways
1.The impact of Tampa Bay’s Lavonte David and Devin White on the Bucs’ defense might influence the Browns to reassess investing more in the position.
2.Goodson’s career year at the age of 27 causes a thorough review about a new offer.
3.Wilson’s second year was a washout after a training-camp knee injury. A big comeback by him would help a lot.
Defensive backs
Under contract: Denzel Ward, Greedy Williams, M.J. Stewart, Robert Jackson, A.J. Green, Ronnie Harrison, Grant Delpit, Sheldrick Redwine, Jovante Moffatt, Elijah Benton.
Not under contract: Terrance Mitchell, Kevin Johnson, Tavierre Thomas, Karl Joseph, Andrew Sendejo, Brian Allen, Donovan Olumba.
Takeaways
1.The Browns feel that Williams and Delpit should be fully healed from injuries to being the 2021 offseason program.
2.If healthy, Delpit would enter the 2021 offseason as the projected starter at free safety, with Williams at strong safety.
3.Ward’s fifth-year option has to be picked up in May. A new contract conceivably could wait until 2022.
Specialists
Under contract: Jamie Gillan, Charley Hughlett, Matt McCrane.
Not under contract: Cody Parkey, JoJo Natson.
Takeaways
1.Parkey started and finished strong and might merit a new deal.