The new hybrid kickoff format may result in Nyheim Hines and James Proche lining up as twin returners.
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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.
Andrew Berry’s transaction season is just about done, except for the draft.
There could be a veteran free agent or two left on his list, but pretty much what you see now is what you’ll get for the opening of offseason conditioning on April 15.
The tally so far: Eleven new free agents signed, one veteran acquired in trade, and seven Browns free agents re-signed.
The biggest splash was the trade for wide receiver Jerry Jeudy.
The biggest surprise was replacing backup quarterback Joe Flacco with Jameis Winston.
They didn’t “win” the offseason and, for once, were overshadowed in their own division by the Pittsburgh Steelers, of all teams.
“I think once your roster becomes more mature and you have an established core, the balance [of transactions] will lean more to retention than maybe external signings,” Berry said at NFL owners meetings this week.
Berry now focuses his attention primarily on the draft on April 25-27. For the third year in a row, the Browns are without their No. 1 pick because of the Deshaun Watson trade in 2022. They also are without a pick in the fourth round – the final payment for the Watson trade.
They have picks Nos. 54 (second round), 85 (third), 156 (fifth), 206 (sixth) and 243 (seventh).
The good news is Berry doesn’t feel pressed to patch any more holes on his roster.
“No, and part of it's like you can't dictate the draft at 54, so you have to be flexible,” he said. “It's a little bit like when we took Martin [Emerson] in ‘22? I don't think anyone thought that we were going to take a corner. But you just can't be so rigid or dogmatic.
“And I've told you guys this before, we don't think of the draft as [addressing] need necessarily. We think about it as more like long-term investment in the roster. And I think that's a perfect example of why.”
Here’s a look at the Browns’ roster heading into the draft. (New players are in boldface).
Quarterbacks
Projected starter: Deshaun Watson.
Backups: Jameis Winston, Tyler Huntley, Dorian Thompson-Robinson.
Comment: Huntley and DTR may compete for QB3, with the loser – or both – landing on the practice squad.
Running backs
Projected starter: Nick Chubb (injured).
Backups: Jerome Ford, Pierre Strong, D’Onta Foreman, Nyheim Hines, John Kelly.
Comment: Berry said we should have a better idea of Chubb’s availability by June. Ford and Strong figure to lead the RB-by-committee in his place, with Foreman used as a short-yardage specialist.
Wide receivers
Projected starters: Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy, Elijah Moore.
Backups: Cedric Tillman, David Bell, James Proche, Michael Woods, Jaelon Darden.
Comment: With a shift to more 11 personnel – three wide receivers – expected to be the base offense, up to seven receivers could be kept on the 53. That opens the door for one more receiver, possibly with the top pick in the draft. Berry has to hit on one of these bountiful receiver drafts.
Tight ends
Projected starter: David Njoku.
Backups: Jordan Akins, Giovanni Ricci, Zaire Mitchell-Paden.
Comment: With Harrison Bryant leaving for the Raiders, it’s time for a new tight end via the draft.
Offensive linemen
Projected starters: Jedrick Wills, Joel Bitonio, Ethan Pocic, Wyatt Teller, Jack Conklin.
Backups: Dawand Jones, James Hudson, Hakeem Adeniji, Michael Dunn, Luke Wypler, Drew Forbes, Leroy Watson, Justin Murray.
Comment: Comebacks from season-ending injuries by Conklin, Wills and Jones are proceeding on time, Browns say. The bigger storyline is how new coaches Andy Dickerson and Roy Istvan compensate for the departure of Bill Callahan.
Defensive linemen
Projected starters: Za’Darius Smith, Quinton Jefferson, Dalvin Tomlinson, Myles Garrett.
Backups: Ogbo Okoronkwo, Alex Wright, Isaiah McGuire, Maurice Hurst, Shelby Harris, Siaki Ika, Sam Kamara, Lonnie Phelps, Chris Williams, Isaiah Thomas, Jayden Peevy.
Comment: Jefferson should be an upgrade as an interior pass rusher. Berry also believes the versatility to move Smith and Garrett inside lessens the need for another stud tackle. We’ll see.
Linebackers
Projected starters: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Jorden Hicks, Devin Bush.
Backups: Tony Fields, Charlie Thomas, Mohamoud Diabate, Caleb Johnson.
Comment: Berry said that injury-prone Jacob Phillips probably won’t be back, so this is another position ripe for a flier in the late rounds.
Cornerbacks
Projected starters: Denzel Ward and Martin Emerson.
Backups: Greg Newsome, Cameron Mitchell, Kahlef Hailassie, Tony Brown, Vincent Gray.
Comment: Berry quashed speculation Newsome might be traded. If he uses a day 2 pick on cornerback, that could change.
Safeties
Projected starters: Grant Delpit and Juan Thornhill.
Backups: Rodney McLeod, D’Anthony Bell, Ronnie Hickman.
Comment: If all are healthy, this group seems set.
Specialists
Projected starters: Dustin Hopkins, Corey Bojorquez, Charley Hughlett, Nyheim Hines, James Proche.
Backups: Cade York, Lucas Havrisik.
Comment: Berry was excited to give York another chance and definitely wants another kicker on the practice squad. Hines and Proche could both wind up on the field as twin returners on the new hybrid kickoff format.