With the structure of the current roster and the cap situation, a lot of fans believe the Cleveland Browns are in win-now mode. Though the team is looking to build a long-term contender and not just focused on this year the team believes they can compete this year. They have addressed the most important position on the team and need to fix the holes in other areas.
So will the team change their drafting process surrounded by traits and age and go with more proven college players? Let’s take a look at this question and other reader questions in this week’s Browns mailbag.
Future mailbag questions can be sent to brownsmailbag@gmail.com or sent to me on Twitter.
Casey K: Which prospect’s reputation doesn’t match their tape? In either a good or bad way?
This is one question I know will not be received well but I am incredibly low on Iowa’s Jack Campbell. To me, he’s a stat padder with a bunch of cleanup tackles who just doesn’t pop on tape. Struggles to shed blocks in the run game and isn’t consistent as a run defender though I do like him as a coverage player.
Doesn’t seem to have the strength to be an impact player in the run game and the big games against better teams he disappears. For me, he just isn’t a player I see being an impact player at the next level.
Rich: Do you think the Browns move off of their age guardrails with this draft. Considering they need more now players and less developmental players
I spoke with Jeff Risdon about this over the weekend and he brought up that in this class every player had a covid year. That makes the whole group a little bit older and if they aren’t willing to be flexible they could miss out on some really good players.
All of that said they likely follow the guardrails with their pick in the second round but I’d expect them to get bent and maybe broken as we get into the third and fourth rounds.
Josh Mansfield: Do you think we attempt to trade up at all or do we go with the flow with what we currently have?
They may trade up if someone they think could be the missing piece gets within striking range. It all depends on how they have their draft board but if a talent like B.J. Ojulari falls into the second they could make some phone calls.
Just like Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah if someone with a first-round grade starts dropping in the 30s they could pull the trigger. I truly believe they will be aggressive this offseason in making sure they are prepared it might not be blockbuster moves but they expect to be contenders in 2023.
Jimbo: Hi Jacob, I wanted to ask if you think the LB room might look any different under our new DC, stay with the smaller faster guys or beef up with run stoppers? Thanks and Go Browns!
They will ask for Schwartz’s opinion but I think Owusu-Koramoah is a perfect fit for the scheme with his versatility. Someone like Anthony Walker at the middle linebacker spot and some depth behind him will be important but I don’t think they type of player will get a total overhaul.
They will have a couple of bigger-body guys but with the changing of offensive football to be a passing league the linebacker position is changing too. But ultimately if Schwartz says they need to be bigger bodies they likely will be but I don’t think that happens.
You have to choose between one Marvin Mims (WR Oklahoma) or Dorian Williams (LB Tulane)
This is a hard choice between the two because they both would be a good fit for the Browns. However, Marvin Mims is perfect for what the offense needs to take it to the next level and be elite. He plays primarily in the slot with game-changing speed and reliable hands and the team just hasn’t had the speed for years and that is the bigger need.
