Monday, May 5, 2014

Cleveland Browns offensive needs

We begin a three part (and maybe four) part look at the Cleveland Browns and the NFL Draft that starts Thursday night.
I plan on a series that looks at offensive needs,defensive needs and players that I would like to see in Cleveland.
Time permitting,there could be a quick look at the New Orleans Saints and/or a mock draft of my own,since I'm so tired of others doing them!

The Cleveland Browns have some talent on their offense,they also have numerous holes that begin at the quarterback position.
We all hope Brian Hoyer's three games under center were a sign of a maturing player that finally got a chance to play,but the injury to Hoyer robbed the Browns of the chance to truly know if that is the case.
The Browns need a young quarterback and I wouldn't be against two with one early and a late rounders as well.
Whether you believe in Hoyer or not,Cleveland needs to add a young passer.

Ben Tate signing with the Browns as a free agent alleviates a need at running back and I liked what I saw out of Edwin Baker late in the season enough to think he could be a complementary back and take some of the pressure off Tate.
I might take a mid to late round back for depth and running the Shanahan system,running backs tend to flourish there.

Josh Gordon is an elite level player at wide receiver and the team addressed the need in free agency with Andrew Hawkins to play the slot and Nate Burleson as well.
However,Burleson is often injured and the Browns could use a young player opposite Gordon.
If they land the right player,Cleveland could have one of the better receiving corps in the league.
Jordan Cameron mans tight end and the Browns have a bunch of blocking tight ends,so unless they love a pass catching type,tight end is not an need at this time.

The line is solid on the left side with All-Pro Joe Thomas at tackle,John Greco at guard and All-Pro Alex Mack staying in Cleveland at center.
Mitchell Schwartz stumbled early at right tackle,but played better in the second half and right guard
has been a problem area for years.
The Browns need a guard badly and should take one in the first three rounds...

Billy Cundiff was steady enough in replacing Phil Dawson and shouldn't be pushed by a draftee as a challenger at kicker...

Top offensive needs in order

1)  Wide Receiver
2)  Guard
3)  Quarterback

I hope to be back later today or tomorrow with a look at the defensive needs....

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