Browns win home opener over Carolina

       The Cleveland Browns defense stepped up when they needed it most, and DeShaun Watson threw his second touchdown of the game to Harold Fannin with 1:48 remaining as the Browns won their home opener over the Carolina Panthers 21-18.

Watson completed 16 of 30 passes for 144 yards and the two touchdowns.

Fannin led the offense with seven catches for fifty-one yards.

Mason Graham led the defense with two sacks as the Browns improved to 2-1 and will host Pittsburgh on Thursday.

Brownie Bits

1) The offense still has a long way to go, and while the Browns can't complain about winning, they still have to wonder about DeShaun Watson.

Watson didn't throw an interception and did lead the team to the game-winning touchdown, but...

2) Carolina dropped a few possible interceptions, and one they held onto was overruled by a penalty.

I know there are ifs and buts, but these things tend to even out over a season, and once interceptions start to be completed, things can go off a wagon quickly.

3) Watson has developed a connection with Harold Fannin and Denzel Boston, but he is struggling to gain a rapport with first-round selection K.C. Concepcion.

Concepcion was targeted nine times, but caught only two for nine yards.

4) Concepcion may be struggling, but the highly paid Jerry Jeudy was non-existent, as Jeudy didn't have a single pass thrown to him all game.

Jeudy carries a high dead cap number if he's traded (good luck with that) or released, so unless his attitude becomes disruptive, he'll be around all season, but it looks bleak for anything other than an occasional flash from Jeudy.

5) The Browns traded for tackle Tytus Howard in the offseason and gave him a contract extension after a mediocre year with Houston.

Howard was called for three false starts and seems to be a questionable decision as a full-time tackle.

6) Another offseason acquisition was playing well in Elgton Jenkins, but Jenkins is unlikely to play against Pittsburgh after entering the concussion protocol.

The Browns will likely start Luke Wypler as fifth-round draftee Parker Brailsford is still recovering from a broken hand suffered in training camp.

7) It might be time to reevaluate my opinion on Mason Graham, whom the Browns took fifth overall in 2025.

Graham sacked Bryce Young twice in this game and has four sacks in the three games after finishing with just one as a rookie.

Graham has been giving the Browns the power rush up the middle that many teams covet, but few teams possess.

8) The Browns pay Denzel Ward to be a shutdown corner, and he was just that in shutting down Carolina's second-year standout Tetairoa McMillan, holding the talented McMillan to two catches for seventeen yards.

9) The Browns might be starting to receive benefits from Mike Hall after middling results in his two previous seasons.

Hall didn't get to the quarterback for a sack, but pressured him several times and helped Mason Graham's sacks.

10)  The Browns are surprises at 2-1, and a win over Pittsburgh would start the good vibes rolling.

Before thinking of that, consider the Browns wins came over opponents with a combined record of 1-5.

I'm not saying to not be happy, but let's see where we are after the Steelers  game and a road game against the winless New York Jets.

Browns battered in Jacksonville opener

    The Cleveland Browns were completely overmatched and couldn't score a touchdown until the final minute of the game in a disastrous 34-10 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Jacksonville.

About the only good news in this game was DeShaun Watson's late-game strike to rookie Denzel Boston for a 46-yard touchdown, the Browns' only touchdown.

Cleveland (0-1) travels to 0-1 Tampa Bay next Sunday to meet the Buccaneers.

Brownie Bits

1) DeShaun Watson was lousy other than his late toss to Denzel Boston, but that's not my biggest worry from this game.

After all, I already knew Watson was terrible, and he proved it.

2) My biggest worry was the defense looking so bad.

The defense had been touted by some observers as not taking a step back from 2025 despite trading Myles Garrett.

That could have fooled me, as Trevor Lawrence had all day against an ineffective Cleveland pass rush that, aside from one sack by Mason Graham, couldn't reach Lawrence, who threw four touchdown passes and sat out much of the second half.

3) The Browns crowed about the trading of Myles Garrett as they patted themselves on the back for forcing the Rams to add Jared Verse to the deal.

I like Verse, and I'm not giving up on him, but he was a non-factor in this game, finishing with three tackles, one for loss, and the Browns will need more from him if they plan to improve this season.

4) Deshaun Watson's interception on the first drive was a bad one, as there was no one with an orange helmet in the area. The Browns continued to struggle to get downfield afterward, and only a garbage-time score to Denzel Boston gave the Browns even decent quarterback play.

5)  Todd Monken announced after the game that he is sticking with Deshaun Watson for this week's game in Tampa Bay.

I'm ok with that.

Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't have given Watson the job to start with, but since they did, I don't think it's fair to move away from Watson yet.

6) The Browns revamped their offensive line in the offseason, and it was not an auspicious start, as Zion Johnson was called for two holding penalties, Tytus Howard committed a key false start penalty, and allowed five sacks against DeShaun Watson.

7) The Browns lost their change-of-pace back for at least four weeks as Dylan Sampson suffered a knee injury, which placed him on injured reserve after the game.

Former Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin was promoted from the practice squad to replace Sampson.

8) The two offensive gems from the 2025 draft had disappointing starts to their season.

Quinshon Judkins rushed for thirty-three yards on twelve carries, and Harold Fannin caught only two passes for twenty-two yards.

9) Perhaps the only bright spot other than garbage time scores was the impressive kick returns of Rocket Sanders.

Sanders returned one kickoff 74 yards and set up the Browns' first score, a field goal by Andre Szmyt

I'm interested to see if Sanders can continue his success.

10) I'm afraid this Sunday will see another beating for the Browns.

Tampa Bay lost their opener 33-27, scored lots of points, and has a motivated Baker Mayfield ready to ravage the Browns..

Browns trade Myles Garrett to Rams, acquire Jared Verse

     The Cleveland Browns finally ended their saga with the greatest defender in the team's history as the Browns traded Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams, who cemented their position as Super Bowl favorites with the addition of Garrett.

The thirty-year-old Garrett finished last season with twenty-three sacks to set the record for sacks in a season, and finished with one hundred and twenty-five for his career after the Browns selected him first overall from Texas A&M in the 2017 draft.

While the return for the best pass rusher in the league may not seem to be enough, the Browns didn't come away with nothing as they acquired defensive end Jared Verse and three draft choices from the Rams.

Cleveland added Los Angeles's first rounder in 2027, their second rounder in 2028, and their third rounder in 2029.

Verse was the first round pick of the Rams in 2024 and won the league's defensive rookie of the year award after entering the league from Florida State.

Verse finished last season with seven and a half sacks, forced three fumbles, and thirty-five solo tackles, eleven of those for losses.

Verse isn't Myles Garrett, but he's very good and should be the leading pass rusher on the Browns this season.

I wish the Browns could have received different choices in the three draft years.

The first rounder will almost certainly be in the final few spots of the round in 2027, and the Browns may have gained more value if the first rounder were in 2029, when the Rams may be in decline, but the 2027 option could be vital if the Browns need draft capital to move up in a quarterback-heavy draft.

The Browns could not have made a better trade, considering Garrett's age, with essentially two number-ones (I'm counting Jared Verse, who is young enough to be considered one) added to the coffers.

Jared Verse is the key to the trade.

I don't expect him to come close to Myles Garrett's production, but he has to be at least very good and lead the team's pass rush.

Should Verse meet those expectations, and I believe that he will, this trade could be as good as expected under the circumstances.

Browns Draft Carsen Ryan

  Earlier in the day, I commented that the Cleveland Browns were looking for a blocking tight end, and despite drafting Joe Royer in the fifth round, the Browns still lacked a pure blocker at the position.

Cleveland used their seventh-rounder obtained from Seattle to take a player to fit that role in Carsen Ryan of BYU.

Ryan, who also played for UCLA and Utah, is 6'3 and 255 pounds and looks like he fits the blocking position better than Joe Royer, although he's not the pass catcher that Royer is.

Ryan caught 45 passes for 620 yards and three touchdowns in his only season with Brigham Young, and in his seasons with UCLA and Utah, Ryan was used mostly as a blocker, catching only twenty-nine passes in three seasons.

Ryan is noted for his work ethic and toughness and loves to do the dirty work along the line.

Considering that Ryan showed improved pass-catching skills in 2025, Ryan could make the Browns as their third or even fourth tight end.

Ryan does show some stiffness as an athlete and isn't known for his agility, but if he can establish himself as a physical blocker, the Browns would be pleased with their seventh-round pick. 

Browns Draft Taylen Green

    The Cleveland Browns' trade with the Denver Broncos allowed them to use the first pick of the sixth round, and the Browns took a flyer on Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green.

Green has the physical tools to be a star at 6'6 235 pounds, a plus arm, and excellent running ability.

However, Green's been inconsistent as a thrower (completed sixty percent of his passes in 2025) and threw eleven interceptions last season with nineteen touchdowns.

Green rushed for 777 yards for Arkansas last season after rushing for over six hundred in 2024, so he can move around well, but his decision-making has been questioned during his college career.

Green played the last two seasons in Fayetteville after starting for two seasons with Boise State.

The tools are all there for a successful quarterback, and Todd Monken did a great job with the mobile Lamar Jackson when he was the offensive coordinator for Baltimore, so Green certainly makes sense as a developmental quarterback.

Green might find a place in gadget plays, and with his size, Green could see some time as the designated short-yardage quarterback.

There is a lot to like about Taylen Green, but he's very raw and has many edges to refine, so he's far from a sure thing. I do like taking a shot with a late pick and seeing what can be done with him.

This could be the end of Dillon Gabriel with Cleveland, whether it's now or sometime in training camp.

If you take a quarterback like Green, he needs time to develop and learn, and if you are only giving him a training camp to impress you, why bother?

Taylen Green has NFL size and skills; Dillon Gabriel doesn't. Gabriel looks to me to be the odd man out in the Browns quarterback room.

Browns Draft Joe Royer

  The Cleveland Browns were expected to be in the market for a tight end during the draft and they drafted one with their final pick in the fifth round, but it was a mild but pleasant surprise when the choice for Joe Royer of Cincinnati.

The Browns were looking for a blocking tight end, and Royer is better known for his receiving, having broken Travis Kelce's records at Cincinnati for catches in a season.

Royer finished 2025 with 29 catches for 419 yards and four touchdowns, and at 6'5 and 250 pounds, Royer catches the ball well and will gain yards after the catch.

Royer isn't very fast, and he's going to beat very few defenders deep, but his hands are soft, and I can see Royer becoming a dependable checkdown tight end for the Cleveland quarterbacks.

Royer played three seasons at Ohio State in limited action, catching four passes in fourteen games, before transferring to Cincinnati before the 2024 season.

This is an interesting choice, with Royer's size suggesting he could grow into a solid blocking tight end with reliable hands on short routes, and Royer looks like a complement to Harold Fannin at tight end.

That's not what the Browns may have been looking for immediately, but Royer could develop into a contributor beyond those limitations.

Browns select Justin Jefferson

  The Cleveland Browns took a big name with the second of their fifth round draft picks- Justin Jefferson, but this JJ is a linebacker from Alabama.

Jefferson is a little small at six feet and 220 pounds, but he is very fast and, at worst, should be a terrific help on the coverage units on special teams.

Jefferson transferred to Alabama from junior college and played three seasons for the Tide, starting for Bama last season.

Jefferson finished with seventy-seven tackles, three sacks, and an interception for Alabama in 2025.

Jefferson's speed could make him a productive tackler, and as mentioned, a special-teams standout.

Jefferson's ability to cover the field could be a nice fit for the Cleveland defense, although his slight frame is a question as far as durability.

Cleveland would trade the final of these fifth-rounders, peddling number 152 to the Denver Broncos for the Broncos' fifth rounder (170) and the first pick of the sixth round (182).

Browns draft Parker Brailsford

    The Cleveland Browns didn't use their basket of fifth-round picks to move up into round four, but they did pick some players, added a sixth-round pick, and a pick for 2027 with those selections.
 

Cleveland used the first of the four (146, 148,149, and 152) on a position where the Browns needed some depth at center as they nabbed Alabama center, Parker Brailsford.

Brailsford played his first two seasons at Washington before transferring to Alabama for his final two years.

Brailsford is a little undersized at 6'2 and 289 pounds, but is prized for his strength and agility.

The biggest question with Brailsford is whether he can handle the bigger and stronger defensive tackles in the NFL.

If Brailsford can bulk up enough to deal with that problem, the Browns could have a steal at a position where Andrew Berry has been trying to find a young answer for several years in the draft, having drafted Nick Harris, Dawson Deaton, Luke Wypler, and now Brailsford in an attempt to draft a long-term center.

Cleveland then traded pick 148 to the Seattle Seahawks in return for a 2027 fourth-round pick.

I like those types of moves, and with the Browns trading for the Giants 2027 fourth-rounder on day two of the draft, Cleveland now owns three picks in the fourth round of the 2027 draft.

Cleveland would make their pick at 149, and I'll write about that player shortly.

Browns Draft Austin Barber

   It wouldn't be an Andrew Berry draft without taking a player with appealing physical tools, and Berry did that when he traded back into the third round (86th overall) to select Florida tackle Austin Barber.

The Browns had traded both of their third-round choices to trade into the second round to land Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren earlier in the evening

The Los Angeles Chargers traded the pick for the Browns' fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-round picks (105, 145, and 206), which dropped the Browns out of those rounds.

Austin Barber has the physical tools at 6'6 and 314 pounds to play in the league, and like first-rounder Spencer Fano, possesses more of an athletic frame than that of a thicker mauler.

Barber has a basketball background, which helps with his footwork, and is known for his physical play.

Barber played both tackles at Florida, but many see his long-term future in the NFL at guard, where his toughness and attitude could shine.

I don't love the pick as I liked two guards who were taken shortly after Barber, a little better (Oregon's Emanuel Pregnon and Iowa's Gennings Dunker), but Barber's versatility helps his value, so I can see the reasoning behind choosing the former Florida Gator.

I still think Cleveland will trade into the fourth round to land a particular target as the Browns own FOUR fifth-rounders (their own, 49ers, Chiefs, and Bengals) all in the range between 146th overall and 152nd.

Cleveland has one other remaining choice, the seventh-rounder originally owned by the Seattle Seahawks.

Browns Draft Emmanuel McNeil-Warren

    The Cleveland Browns had a tough decision to make early in round two between Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston and Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren.

The Browns opted for Denzel Boston, but never took their eyes off McNeil-Warren, and when he was still available late in the second round, Cleveland swung a trade with the San Francisco 49ers to move up to select the Toledo safety.

Cleveland sent their third rounder and the third rounder acquired from Kansas City on the first day of the draft to San Francisco for the 49ers' second and fifth rounders to make the deal.

McNeil-Warren was a player connected to the Browns throughout the draft season and appeared in many mock drafts as the Browns' pick at number 24 and, especially, 39 entering the draft.

McNeil-Warren finished last season with 77 tackles, three forced fumbles, and two interceptions in the final of his three years with the Rockets.

McNeil-Warren is noted as a strong hitter who can play inside and outside the box and can be an asset in run coverage.

McNeil-Warren will play as a strong safety rather than a free safety, as he lacks the speed to help in deep coverage, and while I think he'll be able to cover tight ends, he could struggle if the Browns force him to cover speedy receivers from the slot.

Both Grant Delpit and Ronnie Hickman are eligible for free agency at the end of the 2026 season, so this is a position that needs some new blood.

I liked the Browns' choice to move on a player who slid a little more than they should, and doing so at a position of future need was a good idea.

McNeil-Warren should see plenty of time in 2026 and will likely start in 2027.

Browns Draft Denzel Boston

    The Cleveland Browns second round pick in the NFL Draft satisfied both schools of thought in draft selections, as those who push for positional need and others who prefer the best player available were pleased with the selection of Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston.

I had Boston rated above the Browns' first-round choice, Texas A&M wide receiver K.C. Concepcion, but I was pleasantly surprised to see the Browns devote their high second-rounder to another pass catcher!

Boston, a 6'3, 212-pound receiver, is a different type of player than Concepcion, and their skills should complement each other.

Boston is a bigger target in the red zone, has the speed to get deep, is a skilled route runner, and, unlike Concepcion, doesn't come with a reputation for dropping passes.

Boston is noted for winning jump balls, fighting for the ball in traffic, and his physical play sees him bullying corners with the ball in his hand, running over them, and breaking tackles.

I thought Boston was the best of the second-level tier prospects at his position behind Carnell Tate, Jordyn Tyson, and Makai Lemon, and thought he was a first-round talent.

Boston caught 62 passes for 881 yards and eleven touchdowns for the Washington Huskies last season, so he was a productive player who brings skills that the Browns don't currently have on the roster.

I love this pick and give Andrew Berry credit for not taking the easy way out and being satisfied with K.C. Concepcion as their positional upgrade!

Browns Draft K.C. Concepcion

 The Cleveland Browns had a second first-round selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, which would complete the 2025 draft-day trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Browns didn't trade down this time and addressed another glaring need, but this choice has a boom-or-bust quality to it that could affect the future of the front office.

The choice of Texas A&M wide receiver K.C. Concepcion will have a major effect on the upcoming season, and Concepcion will be given every chance to start on opening day.

Concepcion is a receiver who doesn't have a true role but can line up inside or in the slot, is terrific in open space to make his man miss, and has the speed and playmaking ability to be a threat to score with every touch of the ball.

Concepcion spent last season with Texas A&M after playing two seasons for N.C. State, catching 61 passes for 919 yards and nine touchdowns.

Concepcion could make a mark in the return game, returning two punts for scores last season.

Concepcion's size is average (5'11), but he's not a tiny player who will have his plays limited.

The issues with Concepcion are pretty clear.

He drops passes (nineteen in three seasons), and he's noted by various scouts as not being a natural pass catcher, which is not what you hear from first-round receivers often.

That's a major concern for a team that already employs Jerry Jeudy!

I preferred Indiana's Omar Cooper, who the Jets selected later in the opening round, because he's a better receiver consistently, but on a team without instant strike capabilities, I can see why the Browns picked Concepcion.

K.C.Concepcion has the playmaking ability to be a star in the league, but he will need to find consistency and simply catch the ball.

Browns Draft Spencer Fano

   The Cleveland Browns hoped to trade down from their sixth draft position, and they managed to do so with the Kansas City Chiefs by dropping three spots. While they were happy to still land a player that they might have selected at six, the bounty they hoped for did not arrive.

The Browns only received a third (pick 74) and fifth rounder (148) to drop those spots, which had to be less than they hoped for entering the draft, but the Browns were fortunate to see the Chiefs select cornerback Mansoor Delane, Washington tab Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles, and New Orleans pick Arizona State receiver Jordyn Tyson in the picks preceding their new position.

Only the dazzling but fragile Tyson was a likely consideration from the Browns, and Andrew Berry picked the player that Cleveland likely wanted all along in Utah tackle Spencer Fano.

Fano is my highest-rated tackle in this draft, but he does come with a few questions.

Fano mostly played right tackle for Utah, and the Browns plan to play him on the left side.

While this can be done, it has been a difficult transition for some players, and others, such as Andrew Berry's previous first-round tackle (Alabama's Jedrick Wills), never made it successfully.

I'm not saying Fano can't make the transition, just that it's reasonable to consider.

Fano is more of an athletic tackle at 6'5, 311 pounds than a massive mauler, which isn't always a bad thing, and can play any position across the line, including center, where he showed his ability there at the combine and at Utah's pro day.

Fano started at Utah for three seasons, didn't allow a sack in 2025, and won the Outland Trophy last season for the Utes, who rank just below Iowa as a program that churns out successful offensive linemen at the next level, so Fano has a background that suggests he's prepared to step in as a starter with minimal development time.

The Browns value versatility from their offensive linemen, and should Fano struggle (as Wills did), he could always move to another position, but he's been drafted as their foundational left tackle, and a move that wouldn't be forced due to an injury crisis would be disappointing.

I was initially disappointed with the return from the trade with the Chiefs, but in hindsight, the Browns received a high third-rounder, which could come in handy on day two of the draft, either in adding another solid player or perhaps as a trade chip, and acquiring that choice, along with not losing the player they coveted, made it a good deal.

Andrew Berry has struggled drafting offensive linemen in his tenure, and I don't think he's missed here.

I'm not saying Fano is going to be an All-Pro, although that's possible, but he is very unlikely to be a bust either- and that is exactly what the Browns need at left tackle.  

Cleveland Browns:Persons of Interest

 Due to recent and today) time constraints, I don't have time to write as much as usual about the Cleveland Browns' persons of interest in the NFL Draft.

I'm going to try to stick to the two positions that need the most bolstering and add a few other notes as well.

The Browns would likely like to trade down from their number six position (they also pick at 24 with a choice obtained from Jacksonville in last year's draft), and I'm open to that.

Assuming the Browns don't trade down, Andrew Berry has to be looking at wide receiver and tackle, though I'm usually a proponent of the best-player-available theory.

I wouldn't be against the Browns taking Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, who I think is a dynamic playmaker in the Ed Reed mold and Grant Delpit has only one year on his contract, so while it's not an immediate need, I wouldn't be at all upset.

My favorite wide reciever is Ohio State's Carnell Tate, who may not be a true number one but instantly becomes the Browns best wideout as soon as his name is announced.

I also like Arizona State's Jordyn Tyson a lot and he's more talented physically than Tate, but has struggled with injuries throughout his career.

USC'S Makai Lemon is a catching machine and I like him as well, but he's more a slot reciever and you can find one of those later in the draft.

Indiana's Omar Cooper is my preferred choice of the next level over Texas A&M's KC Concepcion and Washington's Denzel Boston, but I'd be ok with any around the late first round area.

The Browns need tackle help and my two favorites are Utah's Spencer Fano and Alabama's Kadyn Proctor.

Fano is likely to be off the board should the Browns trade down, so that has to be a consideration.

Proctor is a massive physical specimen and has the highest upside but Andrew Berry swung and missed on an Alabama tackle with superior measurements before (Jedrick Wills over Tristan Wirfs), is he willing to take that chance again.

Miami's Francis Mauigoa is ranked as the top tackle by some but I see him more as a long term guard.

Utah's Caleb Lomu might be a consideration with the later first round pick and Georgia's Monroe Freeling is rising up the draft boards with his frame and talent but will need time to develop.

It's the Browns and Andrew Berry and I never have a firm grasp for a bunch who always thinks they are above the curve and smarter than the rest of the class, so I could see them go in any direction.  

Browns sign AJ Epenesa

    The Cleveland Browns signed a few players last week while I was away on a work outing, and while most were players the team hopes can help improve special teams, one name stuck out as a possible contributor outside of the specialty units.

Cleveland signed defensive end A.J. Epenesa for one year and five million dollars from the Buffalo Bills, and I think this signing could be an underrated help to the Browns.

Epenesa was the Bills' second-round choice in 2020 from Iowa and has twenty-four career sacks in his six seasons with Buffalo.

Epenesa had two and a half sacks last season after finishing with six and a half sacks in each of the two previous seasons with Buffalo.

The intriguing part about Epenesa is that he has four interceptions and twenty-four pass deflections in his career, which are interesting numbers from a defensive end and show Epenesa has a knack for finding the ball on the rush.

Assuming that Epenesa can finish with five or six sacks as a rotational rusher, and if Alex Wright could reach the same total, the Browns could have a productive pass-rushing position across from Myles Garrett in 2026.

Browns sign Kalia Davis

  The Cleveland Browns added a lineman through free agency.

That's not unusual of late, but what is unusual is that the new Brown is a defensive lineman, as Cleveland signed defensive tackle Kalia Davis, who spent the first four seasons of his career with the San Francisco 49ers.

Davis signed a one-year contract worth up to three million dollars and is coming off a season in which he started all seventeen games for San Francisco.

Davis was the sixth-round draft pick of the 49ers in the 2022 draft from Central Florida, but missed his entire rookie season and all but three games in 2023 due to a knee injury.

Davis is 6'2 and 310 pounds and finished last season with ten solo tackles and a half sack.

Davis is a run stuffer rather than someone who will generate a lot of pass rush, and the Browns' signing of Davis will possibly mean the end of their interest in re-signing veteran Shelby Harris, who is a free agent.

The Browns did need some depth at defensive tackle as the team isn't sure of the status of Maliek Collins, who played very well before a late-season quad injury, and they have been disappointed with the play of 2024 second-rounder Mike Hall.

Second-year man Adin Huntington will be involved in the training camp battle at a position that may range from solid to needy depending on the health of Maliek Collins.

Browns sign Jack Stoll

     The Cleveland Browns needed to add a veteran tight end after cutting ties with David Njoku, and it was expected to be a blocking specialist.

The expectation was correct as Cleveland signed veteran Jack Stoll to a one-year contract.

Stoll spent most of his career with the Philadelphia Eagles before playing for the New Orleans Saints last season.

Stoll caught six passes for forty-six yards and one touchdown for the Saints and is known for his blocking in his five NFL campaigns.

Stoll was signed by Philadelphia as an undrafted free agent from Nebraska in 2021.

Blocking tight ends are a dime a dozen, and are neither hard to replace nor difficult to let go of, so while there was a need for someone, whoever it was didn't really matter.

Two Guys named Jenkins

    The Cleveland Browns bulked up their offensive line with contracts with two guys named Jenkins, both of whom could possibly start depending on the positional alignment.

The new Jenkins is Elgton Jenkins, who was released by the Green Bay Packers after the season to ease their salary cap numbers.

The 30-year-old Jenkins was the Packers' second-round draft choice from Mississippi State in 2019 and made two Pro Bowls in 2020 and 2022.

Jenkins made those Pro Bowls as a guard but played last season at center, where he made nine starts before a season-ending leg fracture, and has played tackle earlier in his career.

Jenkins is rated as an average run blocker, but as one of the better pass blockers at center and guard.

Jenkins was signed to a two-year deal worth 24 million, 20 of which is guaranteed.

I don't know the Browns' plans for the starters, but they re-signed Tevin Jenkins, who started the final four games last season and graded out well at guard.

The alignment that would make the most sense would have Elgton Jenkins at center with Tevin Jenkins at one guard and fellow signee Zion Johnson at the other, but Elgton grades better at guard.

Andrew Berry has clearly targeted bringing in linemen who can play multiple positions along the line, which is a good idea when you are patching a line together from veterans from other teams.

With Tytus Howard at one tackle after being acquired from Houston, and hoping for the best from Dawand Jones at the other tackle for now, the Browns could be finished for now ( but don't rule another veteran out) until the draft.

I see Cleveland drafting a tackle no later than their second round draft pick (39th overall) and more likely with one of their two first rounders (six and twenty-four).

While the Browns have turned over their offensive line, they do have a few backups returning with KT Levinston, who struggled at tackle but I liked what I saw in limited action at guard, disappointing 2024 third rounder Zac Zinter, and backup center Luke Wypler, who was injured in the season finale.

Cleveland isn't finished with free agency yet, as they have other positions to address with a veteran wideout and a blocking tight end at the top of the list.

Browns sign Quincy Williams

      Just a few minutes after I wrapped up writing about the Cleveland Browns losing linebacker Devin Bush to the Chicago Bears and discussing the Browns' possible options at the position, the Browns announced their replacement, and this is one that I really like.

Cleveland signed Quincy Williams from the New York Jets for a reported two-year contract valued at seventeen million dollars.

Williams wasn't the impact player last season for the Jets under new head coach Aaron Glenn that he was in the previous two seasons under Robert Salah, but still finished with forty-five solo tackles and three and a half sacks in thirteen games.

New Browns defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg coached Williams in New York, and what Saleh ran (similarities with Jim Schwartz's scheme) should be close to Rutenberg's plans for the Browns.

Rutenberg was Williams's position coach in his best seasons, with Williams finishing with one hundred tackles in each of the four years, and an All-Pro selection in 2023.

Williams is more than a tackle accumulator and can be used effectively as a blitzer, earning twelve and a half sacks as a Jet. He is known for his range and ability in coverage, which should fit well with Carson Schwesinger as three down linebackers.

Williams will turn thirty in training camp and will enter his eighth year (two with Jacksonville, five with the Jets), but he looked good in the games I saw the Jets last season.

All in all, the Browns have signed a superior player (Williams over Devon Bush) at a cheaper rate (Bush signed for three years at ten million per year, Williams will cost eight and a half million per year for two).

I'm a big fan of this signing and think the Browns have done well here.

Browns sign Zion Johnson, lose Devin Bush

    The Cleveland Browns' rebuilding of their offensive line continued on the first day of free agency with the signing of guard Zion Johnson to a three-year contract worth 49.5 million, $32.4 million guaranteed.

Johnson spent the last four seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers after the Chargers selected him in the first round of the 2022 draft from Boston College.

Johnson played every snap for the Chargers last season except in the final game, when all starters were rested, so he's durable.

Johnson also excels in run blocking, but has struggled in pass protection, the inverse of the Browns' other veteran addition to the line, tackle Tytus Howard.

Johnson's fifth-year option wasn't picked up by the Chargers before last season, and he responded with the best season of his career, so this isn't the case of a player needing a second chance.

Johnson played left guard last season, but has played both guard positions, which could allow for the return of Joel Bitonio, should he decide to play one more season.

It's a bit of an overpay, as it usually is when teams need starting offensive linemen through free agency, but Johnson seems to be a player on the upswing.

Meanwhile, the Browns had hoped to keep linebacker Devin Bush, but the veteran signed with the Chicago Bears.

The three-year contract is valued at thirty million dollars, and while keeping Bush would have been nice, I don't blame the Browns here.

While Bush had the best season of his career last season with three interceptions (Two returned for touchdowns), two sacks, and over one hundred tackles, Bush has had off-the-field issues, and while the Browns have stated that they will play the same defensive scheme under new defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg as they did under Jim Schwartz, it's only natural to figure that some small changes (at least) are in store.

When a player such as Devin Bush excels in one system and has been pedestrian in others, I'm always hesitant to count on the same production when the coordinator changes.

Cleveland could take a linebacker on day three in the draft, sign a veteran in need of a new start (as was the case with Devin Bush), or they could attempt to re-sign veteran Jerome Baker and give him a chance to replace Bush.