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Browns Mock Offseason 2.0 with Baker Mayfield returning as starter

Jared Mueller
·6 min read

Earlier we shared our Mock Offseason 2.0 where the Cleveland Browns were trading for QB Deshaun Watson. That offseason creates all kinds of different situations including the Watson trade, dealing off Baker Mayfield and having some limited cap space to work with.

Now, we look at the far more realistic scenario which is going into the season with Mayfield as their starter.

While the leaks about their interest in Watson could create problems between the team and the player, the Browns seemingly prepared his agents for such at the combine.

In the end, Cleveland only seems willing to move on from Mayfield with a very clear upgrade. While Watson is that, his off-the-field issues are problematic, he is a clear upgrade as a talent at quarterback.

Since we used Pro Football Network’s mock draft simulator for the early Watson-led mock offseason, we will do the same here. Some of what you will read will be quite similar or the same because there are just smart moves to be made.

Mock Offseason 1.0

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Before we get to 2.0, a quick look at 1.0 from a little over a month ago and what we’ve learned since:

  • Healthy Mayfield – Let’s hope.

  • Release J.C. Tretter – Still possible

  • Restructure/extend Jarvis Landry – Seems unlikely but possible

  • Cut Case Keenum – Still seems likely

  • Retain Jadeveon Clowney – Seems very unlikely given this report

  • Trade for Calvin Ridley – Not happening. He’s suspended and Cleveland traded for Cooper instead but we were on to something

  • Bring back Sheldon Richardson – Still want this to happen

  • Extend Denzel Ward – Confused that this hasn’t happened and almost no talk of it happening

2022 NFL Mock Draft

  • WR Garrett Wilson – Still seems likely/possible although options are open

  • DT DeMarvin Leal – iDL very much still needed

  • TE Jalen Wydermyer – David Njoku’s franchise tag could mean tight end is less likely this high in the draft

  • CB Mykael Wright – Corners are highly valued by this front office

  • RB Breece Hall – With D’Ernest Johnson tendered, unless there is a trade, this will be tough to invest a fourth-rounder in.

  • LB Brandon Smith – After his workouts, doubtful he falls this far

  • DE DeAngelo Malone – Need a few edge guys

  • OL Cade Mays – Doesn’t fit the scheme still but could still be added and coached up

  • S Isaiah Pola-Mao – Another safety or two likely needed in Cleveland

Current Browns

(AP Photo/David Dermer)

With two of these coming, we will combine some information together for ease of reading access today.

In regards to players on the roster at the end of last season, this mock offseason would do the following:

Release or Trade

  • Case Keenum

  • J.C. Tretter

Releasing all these two would save the Browns around $16 million in cap space which is needed after adding Cooper’s $20 million cap hit.

Extend

  • Jarvis Landry

While the team has given him permission to seek a trade, they could also extend his contract in a way that helps their salary cap but keeps him around for at least 2022 as well.

  • Denzel Ward

This will stay here until there is a resolution.

  • D’Ernest Johnson

Just bringing him back on the tender will feel like KhaDarel Hodge all over again where the team isn’t committed to him sticking around. A decent 2-3 year deal would make sense for both sides and open up trade options.

Moving On

  • Jadeveon Clowney

  • Ronnie Harrison

  • M.J. Stewart

The Browns would have liked to keep Clowney and Stewart but it seems both will price their way out of town.

Free Agent Additions

Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Keeping Landry on a smaller deal helps, as does not adding Watson’s cap hit, but the team still doesn’t have a ton of cap space to work with. A bit more in this scenario but not a ton.

In today’s edition, we are bringing back a few friends. There may be some other additions on defense, much like Berry’s first offseason.

Browns Free Agent Additions

  • Sheldon Richardson – Again

  • Marcus Maye – A true free safety would give John Johnson III and Grant Delpit more chances to play near the line of scrimmage and would be the perfect addition if the price is right.

  • Emmanuel Ogbah – The former Browns draft pick hits free agency and fits as a cheaper replacement for Clowney. He has similar traits as a big pocket collapsing defensive end. He had nine sacks each of the last two years so he won’t come too cheap but worth it to secure a young enough partner for Garrett.

Ogbah is the big-ticket item while Maye could be a steal. Cooper is the big addition on offense until we get to the draft.

Mock Draft

We will be rejecting all trade offers and purely looking to upgrade the roster around Mayfield and Myles Garrett.

First Round

WR Jameson Williams, Alabama – With Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave off the board, along with George Karlfatis, the pick goes a unique way. While Williams may miss the first 4 to 8 games of the season, with Cooper on the team and Landry returning the Browns can take this risk on a high talent. If it helps you feel better and you hate this pick, sub in Treylon Burks in your head.

Second Round

DT DeMarvin Leal, Texas A&M – Excited to see Leal available here once again as a player that can be impactful and learn from Richardson while playing next to him as well.

Third Round

WR George Pickens, Georgia – Wasn’t planned this way but Cleveland goes with another receiver and really ramps up their depth. At this point, with Cooper, Landry, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Anthony Schwartz to go along with Williams and Pickens, depth galore in this room now.

DE Nik Bonitto, Oklahoma – With the big, strong Ogbah on board, Bonitto brings a bit of extra speed off the edge in the Takk McKinley role.

Fourth Round

OT Rasheed Walker, Penn State – Having backup options at tackle will be important with Jack Conklin going into his last year. Walker has size but movement skills to fit as a midround pick who could help if needed but provide long-term depth.

DT Matthew Butler, Tennessee – The Browns defensive line, like receiver, has needs. This offseason attacks both pretty strongly.

Fifth Round

Pick traded to Dallas for Cooper

Sixth Round

TE Chigoziem Okonkwo, Maryland – An interesting player at a position that the team may need a fourth guy especially if they don’t have a fullback on the roster.

Seventh Round

K/P Matt Araiza, San Diego State – Yes, they need a kicker or a punter. Araiza can do both but they won’t likely have him do both at the NFL level. Most likely a punter.

Mock Offseason Wrap Up

Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Subtractions

  • J.C. Tretter

  • Case Keenum

  • Jadeveon Clowney

  • Ronnie Harrison

  • M.J. Stewart

Retain/Extend

Additions

Mock Draft

  • WR Jameson Williams (or Treylon Burks if you’d like)

  • DT DeMarvin Leal

  • WR George Pickens

  • DE Nik Bonitto

  • OT Rasheed Walker

  • DT Matthew Butler

  • TE Chigoziem Okonkwo

  • K/P Matt Araiza, San Diego State

A lot of moving parts. Obviously, the team will fill out the roster with some veteran minimum players and undrafted guys as well.

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