Scouts Dish on NFL's Worst Teams and How to Fix Them
NFL owners are doing the same things over and over again and expecting different results. Recycled coaches and general managers. Making the same mistakes in free agency and the draft.
The Cleveland Browns have not had a winning season since 2007—and before that, it was 2002, with 1994 the last double-digit-win campaign (thanks, Bill Belichick). Are they cursed? How can a team go 23 years with just three winning seasons?
The Browns are not cursed; they're just bad. And as life goes in the NFL, bad teams generally stay bad.
For all the talk of parity, a look at the bottom of the 2016 NFL standings has plenty of familiar faces. Cleveland, San Francisco, Jacksonville. Bad teams stay bad, but why?
I polled NFL scouts, coaches and general managers to get to the bottom of this question: "Why can’t teams like the Browns turn things around as well as Oakland or Houston did?"
What you’ll get in this article are the unfiltered replies from NFL minds, as well as my fix for each franchise on the outside looking in at the postseason run.
Cleveland Browns
1 of 11
Scout's Take: "When your owner is a fan and caves to the whims of the fanbase and local media, you're never going to have time to build a winner. That's the issue now."
Miller's Fix: You can’t really change owners, but the first step in fixing the Browns is convincing Jimmy Haslam to be patient. Let head coach Hue Jackson have time to try to build something. Previous regime heads Ray Farmer and Joe Banner had very little time to implement their ideas—which could have ultimately failed, of course—and now the Browns are seen as an organization that too quickly changes plans on the fly.
Stable NFL teams—good NFL teams—have a common vision from ownership to the front office to the coaching staff and to the field. The Browns need that.
It would be easy to say, "Draft a franchise quarterback!" But the Browns must avoid the temptation to draft a quarterback just to get a quarterback. If ownership can be patient, the front office can draft for value and not need while looking for a long-term solution at the position. Build the defense. Add weapons on offense. And then, when the opportunity to get a true franchise-caliber prospect at quarterback is there, pounce on it.
Mock Draft
Rd 1—DE Myles Garrett, Texas A&M
Rd 1 (from PHI)—QB DeShone Kizer, Notre Dame
Rd 2—T Cam Robinson, Alabama
Rd 2 (from TEN)—CB Cordrea Tankersley, Clemson
Rd 3—S Marcus Maye, Florida
Rd 4—C/G Pat Elflein, Ohio State
Rd 5—G Dorian Johnson, Pitt
Rd 5 (from NE)—T Julie'n Davenport, Bucknell
Rd 6—TE Pharaoh Brown, Oregon
San Francisco 49ers
2 of 11
Scout's Take: "The Niners have some pieces—left tackle, guard, D-line—but where is the nucleus of the roster? What are you building around? Bad drafts have killed this team."
Miller's Fix: Blow it up.
The York family should take a step back and assess the direction this team is headed. General manager Trent Baalke is a good scout but hasn't cultivated the young talent needed to continually succeed in the NFL. Head coach Chip Kelly is an offensive mastermind whose teams break down on the field and in the locker room. Erase it all and start fresh by bringing in a football operations department that has a plan to rebuild—not reload—the roster. A general manager who will take chances on more than rebuilt ACLs and a head coach who can be the CEO a good franchise needs are atop the list in San Francisco.
If this is a long rebuilding project—and I think it is—then going for broke in free agency doesn't make sense. Spend what you have to in the new collective bargaining agreement, but attempting a Daniel Snyder kind of reload will only hurt the team long term.
Instead, sign young players who will be hitting their primes in the next three to four years (A.J. Bouye, John Simon). And after that, nail this draft class by avoiding need at the top and instead getting impact players who can step right in and make plays.
Mock Draft
Rd 1—LB Reuben Foster, Alabama
Rd 2—QB Brad Kaaya, Miami (Fla.)
Rd 3—WR Isaiah Ford, Virginia Tech
Rd 4—EDGE Haason Reddick, Temple
Rd 5—T Conor McDermott, UCLA
Rd 5 (f/WAS)—S Tedric Thompson, Colorado
Rd 6—RB Tarean Folston, Notre Dame
Rd 6 (f/DEN)—G Greg Pyke, Georgia
Rd 7 (f/CLE)—CB Jalen Myrick, Minnesota
Rd 7—LB Riley Bullough, Michigan State
Jacksonville Jaguars
3 of 11
Scout's Take: "This is a good roster. Dave [Caldwell] gave the coaches a team to win with. The right coach has them very competitive in a few seasons, max."
Miller's Fix: The Jaguars have already taken the first step after ownership fired head coach Gus Bradley. General manager Dave Caldwell appears to be safe, but he must hire a coach who can develop a roster full of early draft picks and big-money free-agent signings.
A first-time coach like Kyle Shanahan wouldn't be my pick for Jacksonville. If Caldwell wants another first-time head coach, Detroit defensive coordinator Teryl Austin is a better fit (even if hiring another hot DC may leave a bad taste in the mouths of fans). Even better—go hard after New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and sell him on the youth of the team and 53-man roster control with Caldwell running the draft and free agency.
The priority for many will be fixing Blake Bortles at quarterback, which is why guys like Shanahan and McDaniels will be linked to the job, but getting players such as Dante Fowler Jr. and Myles Jack in positions to win ballgames is of equal importance.
Mock Draft
Rd 1—DL Jonathan Allen, Alabama
Rd 2—G Dan Feeney, Indiana
Rd 3—RB Royce Freeman, Oregon
Rd 4—QB Davis Webb, California
Rd 5—DE Jordan Willis, Kansas State
Rd 6—T Jon Heck, North Carolina
Rd 7—S Nathan Gerry, Nebraska
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Chicago Bears
4 of 11
Scout’s Take: “This is more of a rebuild than just loading up through one or two cycles. They have to find a quarterback and fix that secondary.”
Miller’s Fix: Finding a quarterback and fixing the secondary through the draft and free agency isn’t easy—especially when you want to avoid reaching to fill needs in either session.
The Bears have a solid core with blue-chip guard Kyle Long and are building a promising defensive front seven. But until a stable quarterback is found, this team won't compete with Green Bay, Detroit and Minnesota in the NFC North.
Many are debating whether Matt Barkley is the answer, and he could be despite lacking the size and arm strength generally associated with cold-weather quarterbacks. The Bears can afford to see what he has in 2017 and still draft a quarterback early if they fall in love with one of the top prospects.
Mock Draft
Rd 1—Mitch Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
Rd 2—Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
Rd 3—Evan Engram, TE, Ole Miss
Rd 4—Chad Wheeler, T, USC
Rd 5—Michael Roberts, TE, Toledo
Rd 6—Lorenzo Jerome, S, Saint Francis (PA)
Rd 7—Deatrich Wise, EDGE, Arkansas
Los Angeles Rams
5 of 11
Scout’s Take: “This would be a fun job to take if it opens up. They have a QB. The defense is really good if they can keep some free agents. Just have to get an OL in there finally and go bargain shopping for wide receivers that can play.”
Miller’s Fix: The most important job for owner Stan Kroenke is getting the right mix of head coach and general manager in place. After the infighting of Jeff Fisher and Les Snead, hiring an HC-GM mix such as Dave Toub and Chris Ballard from Kansas City might not be sexy, but it would be a damn good one to build a football team and not a reality show. Avoid the temptation to get Jon Gruden. Maybe explore a trade for Sean Payton if the Saints don’t want a 2017 draft choice. A coach who can be in charge of the entire team and build a family in the locker room is what this franchise needs.
Once the decision up top is made, finding a way to keep cornerback Trumaine Johnson and safety T.J. McDonald is the next priority. If those two are gone in free agency, this rebuild will take even longer and the focus in the draft shifts from helping quarterback Jared Goff to a full roster assault.
Mock Draft
Rd 2—Jake Butt, TE, Michigan
Rd 3—Ethan Pocic, G/C, LSU
Rd 4—Cooper Kupp, WR, Eastern Washington
Rd 5—Bryan Cox, DE, Florida
Rd 6—Ashton Lampkin, CB, Oklahoma State
Rd 7—Levon Myers, T, Northern Illinois
New York Jets
6 of 11
Scout’s Take: “They haven’t managed the QB position well at all, which normally gets you fired. [The front office] might have 1-2 years left to prove they know what they’re doing.”
Miller’s Fix: Memo to owner Woody Johnson—the Patriots weren’t built in a day, and your Jets won’t be either. Let the front office and coaching staff do their jobs. Ignore the press. Remember the empty can rattles the most when it comes to the fanbase. Sit back, enjoy your profits and let your football team work.
Is Bryce Petty the future? Probably not. Is Christian Hackenberg the future? Doubtful. But that doesn’t mean the Jets have to reach for a quarterback in Round 1, either. Staying the course—drafting to build a roster and not just an offense—is where I would go.
There are enough needs that the Jets can focus on a “best player available” strategy for one more draft. That’s how I’d attack this roster while attempting to trade away players like Muhammad Wilkerson, Calvin Pryor and even Sheldon Richardson to gain extra picks in a deep draft class.
Mock Draft
Rd 1—Tim Williams, OLB, Alabama
Rd 2—Desmond King, CB, Iowa
Rd 3—Jordan Leggett, TE, Clemson
Rd 5—Dion Dawkins, T, Temple
Rd 6—C.J. Beathard, QB, Iowa
Rd 7—Brian Hill, RB, Wyoming
Philadelphia Eagles
7 of 11
Scout’s Take: “They’re close. Chip [Kelly] left this roster in bad, bad shape. I don’t love Doug Pederson as a head coach, but they have a plan and they’re sticking to it.”
Miller’s Fix: The Eagles front office did a smart thing when trading up for Carson Wentz by spreading out the draft pick compensation the Cleveland Browns would receive (three picks in 2016, one in 2017 and one in 2018) so the burden wouldn’t be too heavy in any one year. They also did a smart thing by trading quarterback Sam Bradford to Minnesota for a first-round choice in this year’s class.
Because of these trades, the Eagles have draft capital and room in free agency to be aggressive. And with a young quarterback, a very good offensive line and enough talent on defense to win soon, they can focus on getting Wentz some playmakers and improving the secondary.
The job of building a roster is much easier when you hit on a quarterback and already have a solid offensive line in place. The urge to add receivers may lead to signing a free agent like Alshon Jeffery, but drafting a powerful route-runner with breakaway speed can push this offense over the top too.
Mock Draft:
Rd 1 (f/MIN)—WR Corey Davis, Western Michigan
Rd 2—CB Jourdan Lewis, Michigan
Rd 3—RB Alvin Kamara, Tennessee
Rd 4—LB Vince Biegel, Wisconsin
Rd 5—T J.J. Dielman, Utah
Rd 6—WR Josh Reynolds, Texas A&M
Rd 7—S Demetrious Cox, Michigan State
San Diego Chargers
8 of 11
Scout’s Take: “When you have the worst coach in the AFC, it’s hard to compete. How would I fix them? Fire the coach, draft a f--king offensive line finally and let [Philip] Rivers go to work.”
Miller’s Fix: Drafting an offensive line sounds like a great idea, but the 2017 offensive line class is the worst I’ve seen in my six seasons at Bleacher Report. There is no tackle worthy of a top-10 selection, which is where the Chargers sit right now. The free-agent class isn’t better, which means that left tackle need could get pushed to 2018 when Texas’ Connor Williams is available.
The roster is good enough to compete right now with a few holes plugged. Keenan Allen is a liability at wide receiver due to injuries, but the rest of the crew there is solid. The pass rush could take a hit if Melvin Ingram leaves in free agency, but rookie Joey Bosa is already a stud.
The secondary is nice on the edges with Jason Verrett and Casey Hayward, but losing Eric Weddle left a gaping hole in the middle of the defense. Drafting high to replace him makes a lot of sense if one of the elite safeties is available.
Mock Draft
Rd 1—S Jamal Adams, LSU
Rd 2—EDGE Joe Mathis, Washington
Rd 3—T Eric Magnuson, Michigan
Rd 4—WR Artavis Scott, Clemson
Rd 5—G Johnny Caspers, Stanford
Rd 6—CB Damontae Kazee, SDSU
Rd 7—RB Matthew Dayes, NC State
Carolina Panthers
9 of 11
Scout’s Take: “This is a good team with some unlucky breaks this year. Still have a QB. Still have pass-rushers. Still have a great balance between head coach and the scouting department. They’ll be fine.”
Miller’s Fix: There isn’t a lot to do here.
The Panthers need help at cornerback and left tackle, but unless Wisconsin’s Ryan Ramczyk declares and is healthy, there isn’t a top-10 tackle. Cornerback is a more interesting fit after the team let Josh Norman walk last year before the draft and then selected three cornerbacks out of the five selections made.
Retooling the offensive line will be a need with Michael Oher taking a step back to reality this season and center Ryan Kalil (31) getting older. At cornerback, the young guys can still develop into players, but if the value is there it can’t be ignored.
One position that doesn’t need an immediate upgrade that should be looked at is running back. Jonathan Stewart has had a nice career revitalization, but he’s also 29 years old (30 next season), and Carolina doesn't have a successor on the roster.
The Panthers lead the NFL in sacks, but they have to start thinking about replacing Charles Johnson at one defensive end spot while worrying about how to lock up Kawann Short and Star Lotulelei at defensive tackle.
Mock Draft:
Rd 1—RB Leonard Fournette, LSU
Rd 2—DE DeMarcus Walker, FSU
Rd 3—CB Cameron Sutton, Tennessee
Rd 4—T Adam Bisnowaty, Pitt
Rd 5—DL Larry Ogunjobi, Charlotte
Rd 6—S Tony Conner, Ole Miss
Rd 7 (f/CLE)—G Caleb Peterson, UNC
New Orleans Saints
10 of 11
Scout’s Take: “They should be trying to trade that GM and not the head coach. Why would you trade away a Super Bowl-winning coach who continues to win ballgames with a s--tty roster?”
Miller’s Fix: Step One—don’t trade away Sean Payton.
Step Two—build around core young players like Terron Armstead, Michael Thomas, Cameron Jordan, Sheldon Rankins, Kenny Vaccaro and Delvin Breaux.
Step Three—be patient. Drew Brees still has enough talent and Payton is still a good enough coach to make a Super Bowl run if the defense can improve.
NFL teams are built around a strong core, and New Orleans has one. Ownership and management must be crazy if the talk of trading away Payton is real—especially when you consider Brees is nearing the end and someone needs to be in place to develop the next quarterback. Payton has proved his worth in building an offense for Brees and finding pieces to plug in around him.
Mock Draft
Rd 1—CB Quincy Wilson, Florida
Rd 2—LB Raekwon McMillan, Ohio State
Rd 3—QB Luke Falk, Washington State
Rd 4—EDGE Daeshon Hall, Texas A&M
Rd 6—RB Joe Yearby, Miami (Fla.)
Rd 7—S Randall Goforth, UCLA
Arizona Cardinals
11 of 11
Scout’s Take: “I can’t believe how bad they are this year. If anyone is gonna reach for a quarterback this draft, it’s Arizona.”
Miller’s Fix: The Arizona Cardinals took a weird step back in 2016—somewhat due to injury but also because of poor play from Carson Palmer and the offense. For Bruce Arians to get his team back on track, the roster needs a shot of youth on both sides of the ball and a quarterback of the future.
Keeping free agents Chandler Jones and Tony Jefferson would be core to this job—as is getting a young receiver to complement Larry Fitzgerald and be the playmaker recently released wideout Michael Floyd showed flashes of.
A youth movement and a draft class with an eye to the future won’t excite fans in Arizona, but that strategy is best for the long-term success of the franchise.
Mock Draft
Rd 1—WR Mike Williams, Clemson
Rd 2—QB Patrick Mahomes, Texas Tech
Rd 3—LB Anthony Walker, Northwestern
Rd 4—C Tyler Orlosky, West Virginia
Rd 5—EDGE Davin Bellamy, Georgia
Rd 6—CB Jeremy Cutrer, Middle Tenn. State
Rd 7—TE George Kittle, Iowa
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