Cleveland Browns Offseason: How a Few Pickups on Defense Could Make a Difference

The Cleveland Browns have a big task ahead of them. They must completely overhaul a team in an offseason where a lockout seems imminent. They also have recently changed most of their coaching staff, which will only add to the chaos. However, the Browns are not totally without hope. There is some talent on the team on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.

With the emergence of Colt McCoy and Peyton Hillis, the Browns had just enough offense to win games against the Saints and Patriots and stay in games with the Ravens and Jets. The Browns offense was not a total trash-heap as has been the case in years past. The defense, too, has some solid players or trade-worthy assets, to help them compete. If the Browns were in any other division than the AFC North, I could see them going for an extra two to three wins per season.

The fact of the matter is, the Browns ARE in the AFC North. The AFC North is a division dominated by powerful defenses. The Steelers and Ravens dominate opponents year after year on that side of the ball. Defense is also where the Browns must begin their overhaul, and they may have picked the right offseason to do it. With the CBA looming, there is a sense of impending doom amongst fans. However, this has made the FA pool this year extremely deep. The draft this season also has a gross amount of defensive linemen coming out. The Browns have some work to do on defense.

For starters, the Browns need a good defensive line. I believe there are a few free agents and rookies that can help us here. Jayme Mitchell, who the Browns acquired from the Vikings last season is primarily a 4-3 defensive end, which makes him a good depth player for the Browns to work with. In terms of players, we could pick up in free agency, the one that makes the most sense is Mathias Kiwanuka of the New York Giants. He is a strong defensive end that has playmaking ability when he is healthy, which is an issue.

Another possible route is through the draft. Obviously, Robert Quinn, Marcel Dareus, Nick Fairley and Da'Quan Bowers are among the choices expected to go in the early first round of the draft, where the Browns have a pick. However, should none of those guys be available the Browns have other options.

They could possibly trade down in the first round to the middle of the first round where they could pick up Cameron Jordan out of California. Jordan has shown that he can play any position on the defensive line and would more than likely be used as a defensive end in the Browns 4-3 formation. He has quick feet and is agile despite his huge size. He could also add depth at DT. This move could possibly give the Browns an extra third- or fourth-round pick, which they could either use to get an additional second round pick, or use to draft another player in those rounds.

Phil Taylor out of Baylor may be the bargain pick of the year. He is expected to go in the middle of round two and has the size and quickness to instantly become an asset for the Browns. Not only is Phil Taylor ENORMOUS but he can get to the QB and defend the run.

Slightly less important than the line is the linebackers. While the Browns had quite a bit of depth at the position, nobody was really a playmaker in and of himself. They worked well as a unit, but were not the most reliable in the league. If the Browns can pick up Chad Greenway of the Vikings, he could be the answer at LB. Greenway is constantly underrated, he is part of what makes the Vikings defense so good. He consistently is there to make plays and could become a deadly force. In the 4-3 the Browns need good, complete linebackers.

Another far less likely but possibly more important possibility for the Browns would be Paul Posluzsny, currently of the Buffalo Bills. He was the defense for the Bills. He missed two entire games last season due to injury and still managed a monster 151 tackles, (103 of which were solo). He is likely to be re-signed in Buffalo, but something tells me that if the Browns were to get this tackling-machine, we would be MUCH better for doing so.

The Browns secondary is good. It’s got two explosive young players in Ward and Haden, and a a guy like Sheldon Brown to mentor it. While the Browns and their fans may set their targets on Nnamdi Asamougha, the top CB in free agency, I believe the money Cleveland would have to pay would be better spent signing two players that could make the secondary better.

The first of which is Ike Taylor currently of the Steelers. If Taylor doesn’t re-sign (and it doesn’t appear he will) he will be a free agent prospect for the Browns. He has played defense in the AFC North and he would really only have to play second fiddle to Joe Haden, simple as that.

Another solid free agent pickup would be Quintin Mikell, a safety currently playing for the Philadelphia Eagles. He is familiar with Browns’ DC Dick Jauron, who was his DB coach last season and also Tom Heckert, who was the GM who drafted him. Mikell has had solid play for the Eagles over the years but was often out-shined by Brian Dawkins, now with Denver and the immense talent of the corners that played in the secondary. The Eagles will most likely not re-sign Mikell because they believe he had a sub-par season, and he is 30 years old next season. Still, a proven veteran who's familiar with the defense playing across from T.J. Ward makes me salivate.

Whatever the Browns end up doing on defense, they seem to want to do it as quickly as possible and be a major player on the free agent market this year. Only time will tell if this will be the case. Either way, it’s gonna be a hell of an offseason.

Lets go Brownies!

Jake D. is a senior in high school who will be attending the University of Cincinnati this fall.