Andrew Berry has cut only two of 24 players he selected in his first three Browns drafts. That number is sure to increase this summer. (Cleveland Browns)
Andrew Berry’s first three Browns drafts are not aging well
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
One in a series of articles previewing Browns training camp …
A seemingly insignificant transaction made by the Browns last week may be a portent of a tough summer ahead for GM Andrew Berry draft picks. If nothing else, it’s another sign of the urgency driving the Browns organization this year.
On Thursday with most of the NFL on summer hiatus, the Browns waived offensive lineman Dawson Deaton.
I know, I know. How pertinent is cutting a fourth-string center who didn’t play a down as a rookie because of an ACL tear suffered in training camp in August?
Well, the fact Deaton was drafted by Berry (seventh round, 2022) makes it pertinent. He is only the second player of 24 selected by Berry in the three drafts prior to 2023 released by the GM. The other was safety Richard LeCounte (fifth round, 2021).
Berry’s spotty record in the draft has been marked by two factoids: 1. No Berry draft pick has drawn any consideration for the Pro Bowl, and 2. Now 22 of 24 players taken through the 2022 draft remain on the roster – for better or for worse.
The latter fact may be changing.
There is no denying the existence of a sense of urgency in Berea as the 2023 training camp draws near. This has to be the year of serious contention.
The humongous Deshaun Watson contract will force unpopular salary-cap decisions next year. Another draft without a No. 1 pick will strain the personnel pipeline. Changes on Kevin Stefanski’s staff leave him no alibis for a third straight losing season. And major additions in free agency, partly necessitated by Berry’s underwhelming drafts, have reduced the free passes given to unproductive draft picks.
Berry has exhibited enormous patience with his draft picks, probably too much patience. A large part of that is due to the fact Paul DePodesta, the chief strategy officer who oversees the personnel department with algorithms and spread sheets, came from Major League Baseball. He was used to drafting 40 or so players a year and not expecting any of them to produce for the parent club for three, four or five years. If DePodesta has learned anything in his eight years with the Browns, it’s that the NFL ain’t MLB.
It’s the Not For Long league. If your draft isn’t producing in two years – not just playing, but producing – you’re falling behind.
So this should be the summer that some of Berry’s draft picks fall by the wayside. The bloated practice squad can be a life preserver for some. But Deaton surely is not going to be the last Berry draft pick let go this year.
Here’s a look at the prospects this season for the 22 Berry picks on the roster from the 2020, 2021 and 2022 drafts.
SHORT-TERM LEASES
Wide receiver Anthony Schwartz (third round, 2021): His world-class track speed became obsolete when Berry traded for Elijah Moore and signed Marquis Goodwin in free agency. Don’t blame Schwartz for being drafted in the third round. Track athletes from Auburn are red-flagged on a lot of NFL draft boards – but not the Browns’.
Defensive tackle Tommy Togiai (fourth round, 2021): When a team adds four players at your position in one offseason, you shouldn’t buy new furnishings for your apartment.
Center Nick Harris (fifth round, 2020): Opportunity knocked and misfortune answered. Now with Ethan Pocic given a $10 million guarantee and 2023 sixth-round pick Luke Wypler impressing coaches with his football acumen, the injury-riddled Harris has a lot more than just his under-sized stature going against him.
Defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey (fourth round, 2022): You get the feeling that defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz must have said, “Let me see him for two weeks in training camp.” His talent is intriguing but his immaturity is annoying..
Wide receiver Michael Woods (sixth round, 2022): He ruptured an Achilles tendon training with Watson in Texas. That buys him a full year on injured reserve.
ON THE BUBBLE
Running back-receiver Demetric Felton (sixth round, 2021): His roster status appears to hinge on health at receiver and running back. If nobody gets hurt, I don’t see how he stays.
Linebacker Tony Fields (fifth round, 2021): He’ll always have that game in Houston (one Pick 6, one forced fumble on defense, one recovered fumble on a punt).
Wide receiver David Bell (third round, 2022): There doesn’t seem to be a role for a 4.65 possession receiver in the new offense.
Defensive end Isaiah Thomas (seventh round, 2022): He begins camp as the sixth defensive end. There’s room for five, at most.
MAKE OR BREAK TIME
Left tackle Jedrick Wills (first round, 2020): The Browns picked up his fifth-year option in 2024 for a guaranteed $14.175 million. That’s below market level for a fifth-year starting left tackle, so he has two years to show he’s worth another contract.
Defensive tackle Jordan Elliott (third round, 2020): Without the safety net of a fifth-year option, he’s playing to draw free-agent interest in 2024.
Linebacker Jacob Phillips (third round, 2020): A healthy 2023 easily could result in a new contract for 2024. A productive AND healthy year could make him some money.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (second round, 2021): If he doesn’t produce some big plays in the Schwartz defense, you have to wonder if he ever will.
Offensive tackle James Hudson (third round, 2021): Given the injuries that have saddled Wills and Jack Conklin, Hudson has emerged a very important player as the heir-apparent at either tackle position.
Tight end Harrison Bryant (fourth round, 2020): Twenty-five catches a year over four seasons should merit some action in free agency for him next year.
Defensive end Alex Wright (third round, 2022): He must stay ahead of rookie Alex McGuire as the fourth end in Schwartz’s rotation – or he could fall by the wayside.
POSSIBLE BREAKOUT PLAYERS
Safety Grant Delpit (second round, 2020): A big fourth year for him could mean big bucks – here or elsewhere in 2024.
Wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (sixth round, 2020): Either he steps up as a possible replacement for No. 1 Amari Cooper in 2024, or he cashes in as a legit No. 2 in free agency.
Cornerback Greg Newsome (first round, 2021): This is a crossroads season for him. A third NFL season with no picks would not be good.
Running back Jerome Ford (fifth round, 2022): He supplants Kareem Hunt this year. After that, Nick Chubb? We shall see.
Kicker Cade York (fourth round, 2022): He survived Year One in the Graveyard of Kickers. If he learns from it, he’s on his way to a lasting NFL career.
Cornerback Martin Emerson (third round, 2022): Those long, rangy arms are his ticket to future stardom. Now he needs some interceptions.
