Browns Draft Plans Becoming Clearer Based on Free Agent Signings
By Jerry Trotta
The Cleveland Browns blitzed the opening stages of NFL free agency and ended up with a plethora of profound signings.
It goes without saying that most of the moves of first-year general manager Andrew Berry have sat well with Browns supporters. However, none have been more pleasing than Berry pressing the issue to address the team's offensive line.
On Thursday, Cleveland inked an agreement with former New York Giants center Evan Brown. If you read the tea leaves, the team's draft plans are as apparent as ever.
#Browns also signed ex-#Giants Center Evan Brown.
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) March 26, 2020
By stockpiling offensive lineman, the Browns are doing everything necessary to put quarterback Baker Mayfield in the best position to succeed in 2020. Slated with the No. 10 overall pick, Cleveland is perfectly set up to select one of the handful of coveted offensive line prospects.
In fact, Mel Kiper's latest mock draft has the franchise drafting former Louisville stud offensive tackle Mekhi Becton, and we truly couldn't think of a better fit.
Pairing Becton, or another top OL, alongside free agent acquisition Jack Conklin is the right way forward for Cleveland.
He's big, powerful, athletic as hell & only 25 years old. Jack Conklin is a zone run blocking machine who is worth every penny of his 3-year, $42 million new Browns deal. Let me show you why. https://t.co/vKf0ZkxJWS
— Ellis L. Williams (@BookofEllis) March 19, 2020
Mayfield was brutally erratic in Year 2, but he was often flushed out of the pocket and running for his life. Make no mistake about it: Berry will continue to bolster the Browns offensive line in the draft.