Things I Think I Know About The Browns: Three Tackle Dilemma, UDFA Visits, Draft Priorities and A Trade Back

We look at why the Cleveland Browns have had some potential UDFAs in for top-30 visits, how to handle the three-tackle dilemma, NFL Draft priorities, where the Browns could trade back, and more.

With the NFL Draft underway in less than a week, the Cleveland Browns top men have been making their media availability rounds. On Wednesday, general manager Andrew Berry spoke and answered questions with local media in Berea, Ohio, at the Browns headquarters; Kevin Stefanski spoke from the same podium on Tuesday morning and interviewed on both local sports radio networks on Thursday and Friday morning. Stefanski came across well. He sounded comfortable and answered the questions with more substance and charisma than when answering questions in the more formal setting of Berea’s media room.

Browns players are back in the building for the first phase of the NFL’s voluntary offseason program. Phase one is the first two weeks back. It allows for meetings, strength and conditioning, and physical rehabilitation only. With the Browns constructing a new-look offense, this year’s offseason program is critical for the Browns offensive players and revamped coaching staff. The Browns offensive staff has been collaborating to rework the offense in a manner that best fits their personnel, most importantly, quarterback Deshaun Watson.

With the draft just days away and players in the building, things are picking up, and they can get on the field in phase two of the program. The deadline to decide on Greg Newsome’s fifth-year option is May 2nd, and the Browns will likely exercise the option. The release of the Browns schedule will come in early May as well.

INVITING UDFAS TO TOP-30 VISITS

Teams may complete their final discussions with prospects in the week before the NFL Draft, but they are not permitted to have the prospects visit their facilities after April 17th. They may interact with prospects virtually or at a location away from team facilities.

Most of the Browns’ Top-30 visits have leaked out, and we have a good idea of who the Browns had into the facility. However, it has become noticeable that a number of the prospects they had in to visit could be late-round draft picks or likely Undrafted Free Agents (UDFA). This begs the question of why they would have players who aren’t even projected to be selected in for their valuable visits.

The Browns have one pick in the sixth round and two more in the seventh round, so if they want some more information on potential selection late in the draft, then it makes sense.

However, the main reason for using some visits on potentially undrafted players is to establish a relationship and alert the player to the team’s interest in them. When the draft is over, the Browns will look to bring in a group of UDFAs. It has to be an advantage for the Browns when high-priority UDFAs need to decide which team they want to sign on with.

The time spent developing that baseline relationship and talking with the player about fitting in with the Brown’s vision can pay huge dividends, especially when they can land players like Ronnie Hickman or Mohamoud Diabate to sign with the Browns. They both were UDFAs last season, with Hickman starting and playing well in some crucial games for the Browns in 2023.

THE THREE TACKLE DILEMMA

Cleveland Browns: Dawand Jones 'coming along' as first training camp looms - Dawgs By Nature

Berry was asked about the Browns having three starting tackles on the roster, and he compared it to the quarterback position in that one can’t have enough good ones. “We’ve probably seen that in particular two out of the four years that we’ve been here. Where, you know, I don’t, I think, you know, maybe one or two teams in the league end up having their starting five play the whole season on a given year, so, and that’s one of the positions where once you get into the season, it’s hard to acquire them like the big guys. They’re hard to acquire once you get into, really once you get into camp. So tackle is a premium position. We have good ones, again, in no hurry to give anyone away.”

However, the dilemma is that Dawand Jones should be starting, and if he does, you are then paying your third tackle $14 million. They could try to move Jones to the left side, but there has been no indication that that is in their plans. So, how do you handle the situation inside the locker room and with the public?

All three tackles were lost for the season with knee injuries in 2023. Although Conklin’s injury occurred the earliest, giving him more time to rehabilitate, he suffered an ACL and MCL injury. The timelines for Jones and Wills seem to be ahead of Conklin’s.

I believe the Browns will slow-play Conklin’s return to the field, allowing Wills and Jones to start the season. They can use Conklin’s injury as “the reason” Jones is starting the season at the top of the right tackle depth chart. When asked about the dilemma, they can avoid controversy by stating Conklin isn’t all the way back and needs more time. Once they get a couple of weeks into the season, they must reevaluate the situation and adjust accordingly. Still, it gives them some wiggle room when answering questions about the highly-paid tackle who isn’t starting.

DRAFT PRIORITIES

The Browns must begin planning for the future of the offensive line. They can get younger and much cheaper at the tackle position if they can land one to start with Jones in 2025. The Browns have been sinking money into the offensive line for years, and while they have had one of the better lines in the NFL, something has to give. This an area where they can maintain a high level of play and do it with two players on rookie deals. It would provide significant flexibility with the roster build, allowing for a reallocation of the money being paid to Conklin and Wills.

It’s a good offensive line class, and the Browns could find a starting-caliber tackle at 54 or 85.

Trade Back Scenarios

The Browns may add another pick during the NFL Draft by trading back. While that could certainly come at pick 54, I think it is more likely to come at pick 85. In examining the various draft trade value charts, a trade out of 85 back into the high 90s or early 100s could get them another selection in the fourth round. That area of draft talent is kind of a sweet spot before a drop-off in talent at some key positions. Watching prospects come off the board from 85 to 156 would be difficult. Look for the Browns to potentially get back into the fourth round by trading out of pick 85.

INVITING UDFAS TO TOP-30 VISITS

THE THREE TACKLE DILEMMA

DRAFT PRIORITIES

Trade Back Scenarios

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