Could the Browns' next kicker be found in the 2022 draft, perhaps LSU's Cade York?
#HeyTony: What is going on with the Browns’ search for a kicker?
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
Hey Tony: When do we find our kicker?
-- Jeremy, LeRoy, IL
Hey Jeremy: The best kickers approaching free agency were re-signed by their former teams. One kicker so far has changed teams: Greg Zeuerlein moved from the Cowboys to the Jets. That leaves these as the “best” available unsigned kickers: Michael Badgley, Sam Ficken, Chase McLaughlin, Matt Ammendola. So, the Browns either may have their eyes on one in the draft or are willing to bring back McLaughlin, or wait until close to training camp to see what’s left.
Hey Tony: What are the odds that the Browns somehow trade back into the 1st round for a WR or edge?
-- Chuck, Brooksville, FL
Hey Chuck: I’d term it possible, but unlikely. Possible because they still have their second- and two third-round picks to use as ammo. Using the traditional draft value chart as a guide, they could combine the second- and first third-round pick to move up into the low 20s in the first round. If they included all three of those picks, they could move up to the high 20s. But if they did that, they wouldn’t have another pick until the sixth round. So, unlikely to combine all three. Possible to at least consider using two of them to move up into the bottom of the first round.
Hey Tony: In your opinion, is Amari Cooper a #1 WR?
-- Jeff, Chesterland, OH
Hey Jeff: On the Cowboys he wasn’t. On the Browns he is. Cooper will be 28 when the season starts and I would suggest he shouldn’t be classified a No. 1 beyond 2022.
Hey Tony: Will the Browns sign another WR before the draft?
-- John, Newton Falls, OH
Hey John: I would think so. But the pickings are down to, at last count, 31 receivers, including Jarvis Landry and Will Fuller.
Hey Tony: Does Baker have to be moved before any more free agent moves? Good sign that Clowney, Landry, and maybe even OBJ are still unsigned and maybe waiting on that move?
-- Matt, Powell, OH
Hey Matt: GM Andrew Berry said this week that is not the case. I don’t think the Clowney pursuit has anything to do with Mayfield’s $18.8 million sticking on the salary cap. Clowney’s playing the field and may find his way back to the Browns. Landry? I’d say possible. OBJ? No chance.
Hey Tony: The defensive tackle position is in dire need of a serious upgrade. Do you have any insight on who the Browns are targeting in free agency and/or the draft?
-- Leonard, Troy, OH
Hey Leonard: This is when past drafts have to come through. Third-year tackle Jordan Elliott is expected to ascend to a starting spot. Second-year tackle Tommy Togiai then has to ascend to a top backup spot in the tackle rotation. They’ve added Taven Bryan in free agency and there probably is another to come, but I wouldn’t expect a starting-caliber pickup at this point. Then there’s the draft.
Hey Tony: First Energy Stadium is technically 23 years old, with the renovations being 7-8 years ago. Are the Haslams and the City seriously looking for any additional upgrades, or potentially a new stadium away from the lake?
-- DJ, Jackson, MS
Hey DJ: The Haslams want to be part of the long-range planning for lakefront development. That could include major renovations to FES or a new replacement. Nothing is imminent, but it’s wise for all involved to move the conversation along. The Haslams are in for the long haul. They have to believe a Super Bowl appearance, at least, in the next five years improves their leverage in long-range planning.
Hey Tony: Why do you think everyone ignores that Kirk Cousins was given fully guaranteed contract, which was also the most per year, when discussing Deshaun Watson’s contract?
-- Jeremy, Akron, OH
Hey Jeremy: Cousins’ fully guaranteed contracts began by playing under the franchise tag with Washington and that resulted in short-term guaranteed deals with Minnesota. For that matter, I believe Aaron Rodgers’ newest contract with Green Bay is fully guaranteed over three years. Watson’s contract is considered a breakthrough because it fully guarantees it over five years for $230 million -- $80 million more in guaranteed money than given Rodgers. Watson’s contract is ground-breaking in the NFL. Make no mistake about that.
Hey Tony: Would the Haslams and Browns' management still be "comfortable" with Watson if there were 100 accusers?
-- John, Charlottesville, VA
Hey John: I suspect not.
Hey Tony: Any chance we get Sheldon Richardson back?
-- Black, Columbus, OH
Hey Black: I suppose it’s possible. I would expect the next veteran acquisition at defensive tackle to come in near the NFL minimum.
Hey Tony: Do you think that we'll finally see more of David Njoku? The guy is a beast but underused in my opinion.
-- Oliver, Brussels, BE
Hey Oliver: Certainly Njoku is now considered TE1 with Austin Hooper released, so I would expect him to be used as such. This regime has a high opinion of Njoku. Now with Watson delivering the ball, Njoku should be expected to have his best year.
Hey Tony: What will be the biggest hole on the team that needs to be filled?
-- Ken, Henderson , NV
Hey Ken: DE2 – the top-flight pass rushing complement to Myles Garrett. Also, another receiver and a reliable kicker.
Hey Tony: Watson’s contract for year one was structured to minimize a financial hit due to a suspension. But now there’s talk any punishment might drag into next spring. What consequences will there be for Watson and/or the team if a resolution is delayed?
— Jeff in Concord, OH
Hey Jeff: There’s nothing preventing from the Browns and Watson from restructuring the contract next year, and the year after that, etc. People will say they’re trying to mitigate his financial losses of a suspension, but the probability is they will have to restructure it almost every year regardless of potential suspensions. The Chiefs have done it with Patrick Mahomes and other teams do it with their exorbitant contracts.
