GM Andrew Berry and head coach Kevin Stefanski had a two-year plan to upgrade their roster -- offensive-heavy in 2020 and defensive-heavy in 2021. (cleveland Browns)
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
Takeaways from three days of the Browns’ draft …
Which one of these statements is more accurate?
A. Browns defensive coordinator Joe Woods is the happiest man in town.
B. Browns defensive coordinator Joe Woods is sitting on the hottest seat in town.
Probably A is more accurate. But B isn’t far behind.
Woods was the beneficiary of a defensive-heavy draft following a defensive emphasis in free agency.
In free agency, the Browns added defensive ends Jadeveon Clowney and Takk McKinley, defensive tackle Malik Jackson, linebacker Anthony Walker, safety John Johnson III and cornerback Troy Hill. In the draft, they added cornerback Greg Newsome, linebackers Jeremiah Uwusu-Koramoah and Tony Fields, defensive tackle Tommy Togiai and safety Richard LeCounte.
When you factor in the return of safety Grant Delpit and cornerback Greedy Williams, neither of whom played a down in 2020, Woods has been given 13 new players on defense.
The end result is younger, faster, and more versatile pieces for Woods to devise schemes to stop the state-of-the-art offenses headed by quarterbacks Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes.
All of which was the culmination of a two-year plan, GM Andrew Berry said.
“We knew that going into the 2020 season our primary focus would be on the offensive side of the ball, and first and foremost, supporting the quarterback and making sure that the quarterback got the support that he needed to be as effective as possible,” Berry said.
“Naturally, this offseason has had a little bit more of a defensive lean because we did realize that that is not an area that had been as heavily invested over the past couple of offseasons.”
The offensive emphasis in 2020 – which included a new offensive system that was hailed as quarterback-friendly -- put the pressure on quarterback Baker Mayfield. He needed to bounce back strong from a bad second season. He faced it down and produced an 11-5 season followed by a playoff win in Pittsburgh.
At the very least, the pressure has been transferred to Woods, who did a good job with a bad hand in 2020. Now Woods has chess pieces – versatile hybrid players – at every level of the defense to confuse quarterbacks with pre- and post-snap looks.
“All of our coaches, we put high expectations on ourselves,” said head coach Kevin Stefanski. “We work really, really hard. Joe and his staff do an outstanding job of preparing our players.
“It is true that they are going to have to prepare a bunch of new players and we are going to teach the system to a bunch of new guys and re-teach it to a bunch of guys.
“We all have our work cut out for us, but in terms of external expectations or anything like that, I just think it is something that we all recognize the second we walk into this building every day.”
Smart, tough and accountable + fast and versatile
The first three traits have been the mantra of the Berry regime when acquiring players. The latter two are now close behind.
”I think speed really in every phase is certainly the one physical tool or critical factor that can stress the opposition, especially with today’s game,” Berry said. “In terms of the versatility aspect, I think it is more of the function that football is a long season and it is a little bit of a war of attrition, and you have to have some level of flexibility with your roster.
“Also, the more one that player can do, whether it is across responsibilities in the run game and pass game or across different positional requirements, that only makes the job easier for our coaching staff.”
Why no edge rusher?
With Clowney and McKinley under one-year contracts, many national insiders wrongly pegged the Browns for taking an edge rusher high in the draft.
Six edge rushers were taken in the first round and one in the second round before the Browns used their second pick at No. 52 (after a trade-up from No. 59) on Uwusu-Koramoah.
The national insiders underrated the Browns’ confidence in young edge rushers Porter Gustin and Curtis Weaver.
“We liked the position group coming into the draft,” Berry said. “There were a number of prospects at that position who we also liked, but like I told you guys, we are going to draft with a long-term vision for the team, and ultimately, we are not just going to pick for need or perceived need. The value has to be there, and we have to feel comfortable with whoever we are bringing into the building, but we like our group.”
Rookie camp a go
While the NFL and NFLPA continue to have differences about the 2021 offseason program – the union doesn’t want any work on the field – the league will proceed with in-person camps for rookie draft picks and undrafted free agents.
Until they sign contracts, incoming players aren’t union members and dare not follow the veterans’ boycott of offseason workouts.
The Browns plan for a rookie minicamp beginning May 14.
“It is a big step in their maturation is getting them here,” Stefanski said. “Per the CBA, I think a lot of teams are going to be doing it that weekend as opposed to next weekend. We will get our guys here, plan on getting the rookies and the free agents here, get them out on the field, a lot of meetings and a lot of walk-throughs and then some field work, but it will be just our rookie class – draft picks and undrafted picks.”
Draft awards
Best pick: Greg Newsome. Acquiring a cornerback capable of competing with Greedy Williams for the starting spot opposite Denzel Ward was essential.
Best trade: Moving up seven spots for linebacker Jeremiah Uwusu-Koramoah in the second round.
Honorable mention: Trading No. 113 (fourth round) and No. 253 (seventh round) to Detroit for No. 153 (fifth round) and a fourth-round pick in 2022. The Browns now own eight picks in the 2022 draft – their own in Rounds 1 through 6, plus Detroit’s in Rounds 4 and 7.
Best quote: “I never will play like I am undersized.” – linebacker Tony Fields.
Honorable mention: “A lot of people say my hands are bricks, which is not true at all. I am going to tell you, I can catch the football. I played receiver my whole career. I had a bunch of picks in high school, but for some reason, I just was not getting them in college. I am going to turn that around.” – cornerback Greg Newsome.