Treylon Burks of Arkansas is one among five highly-rated receivers the Browns may consider with their first draft pick at No. 13 overall. (USA Today)
#HeyTony: Which receiver in the draft fits the Browns’ needs the best?
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
Hey Tony: Assuming Browns stay the course in picking WR at #13, who do you take between Garrett Wilson, Treylon Burks, Drake London, and Chris Olave?
-- Dustin, Columbus, OH
Hey Dustin: I would include Jameson Williams into this mix and predict the Browns will end up with one of them. It’s way too early in the process to draw conclusions, of course. But my initial order of preference right now is Burks, London, Wilson, Williams, Olave. I reserve the right to change.
Hey Tony: What are the most important attributes (size, speed, etc.) the Browns should consider when finding their #1 WR this offseason?
-- Eric, Columbus, OH
Hey Eric: Well, start with size and speed. I’m biased towards bigger, taller, more physical receivers. I understand there are plenty in this draft beyond the first round. But never lose sight of the receiver’s No. 1 job – catching the ball. I know it sounds obvious, but the biggest, fastest guy means nothing without good hands.
Hey Tony: Do you see the Browns going all in on the offense side of the ball in the upcoming draft?
-- John, Newton Falls, OH
Hey John: Before the draft, GM Andrew Berry will fill some team needs via free agency. I assume he’ll add at least two defensive linemen, perhaps a swingman on the offensive line and a receiver. Then he can use the draft to add icing on the cake – receiver and defensive line being the top priorities. Don’t forget about kicker, too.
Hey Tony: What if the Browns did bring back Jarvis Landry for his full salary? What are the positives of it and the negatives of it?
-- APJ, Cleveland, OH
Hey APJ: The positive is you would have one happy Jarvis. The negative is you would be grossly overpaying for a soon-to-be 30-year-old receiver who’s averaged about four touchdowns a year in his four years with the Browns. When it comes to allocating salary cap resources vis-à-vis production, bringing back Landry for his scheduled cap charge of $16.38 million is the definition of insanity. Releasing him would create $14.8 million in cap room. This is not a difficult decision.
Hey Tony: When do you think we will know the Browns plans at QB? At the combine? When free agency starts? Before the draft?
-- Paul, Toledo, OH
Hey Paul: Any time now. If the Browns are aggressive, we will know sooner. If they waffle, it could lag into April. If they do nothing, we will be asking, “Is that all there is?”
Hey Tony: Cincinnati showed us how small the gap is between mediocre and potentially winning it all. I feel we are back to being underdogs. My question is do you think Baker can lead us to the promise land if healthy? My heart wants yes, but my brain says no.
-- Josh, Washington, DC
Hey Josh: I would say follow your heart and hope your brain is wrong. But I don’t think it is.
Hey Tony: Are the Browns going for a WR or they going to get an offensive lineman in round 1?
-- Bryan, Doylestown, OH
Hey Bryan: I think the debate is between receiver and defensive lineman, and I think they go for receiver.
Hey Tony: Will the Browns resign some of their key free agents (i.e. Higgins, Njoku, Jackson) to hometown discounts and ask veterans players to restructure their contracts to free up cap space when the league year starts on March 16th?
-- Leslie, Manhattan, KS
Hey Leslie: I suppose the Browns will re-sign some of their free agents and let others go. We’re about to see their choices.
Hey Tony: I take it Bill Callahan is officially staying with Cleveland for 2022?
-- Taylor, Danville, IA
Hey Taylor: He’s under contract.
