Cleveland Browns are seeing breaks falling in their favor

The 2017 season like past campaigns have not been pleasant to the Cleveland Browns. However, if they look to the positives, 2017 won’t be as bad.

If the NFL held the draft today, the Cleveland Browns own pick would be second overall. Despite being winless, they don’t have as many losses as the San Francisco 49ers. Had they earned the same record, then Cleveland would be drafting first.

More than likely the Browns will be drafting first or second overall with their own pick, but why is that all important? Fans see the product displayed on a weekly basis.

Given the franchise’s inability to put together a quality roster, scout effectively, and win, Groundhog’s Day is what Cleveland experiences daily. Honestly, that is all you need to know about the Browns’ state.

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Despite the ongoing dreaded state of dysfunction, Cleveland is getting breaks. I know it is hard to imagine given their play but they are evident.

Of course everyone would love to see LT Joe Thomas out on that field. The next closest thing is to see him coach his fellow linemen. It should not be a surprise to anyone that Thomas coaches those guys when he isn’t practicing. After all, after being drafted, rookie TE David Njoku initially thought Thomas was a coach and not a player.

As long as the future hall-of-famer continues to coach up and be around the linemen, the better off Cleveland’s O-line will be. There is so much to benefit from being around Thomas.

Meanwhile, some like quarterback DeShone Kizer. Others not so much. Regardless of your stance, Kizer deserves some credit. He has been pulled multiple times from games, saw the Browns try to trade for a division rival’s quarterback to replace him, and simply isn’t sold on the former Notre Dame product.

Had this been Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, the same split opinions would be expressed. No quarterback can succeed without help and that is what Kizer is working with. Even though the odds are not in Kizer’s favor right now to succeed, you have to like that he is not backing down from any and all challenges.

Speaking of quarterbacks, Cleveland came so close to messing up their draft pick totals. I know that’s hard since they don’t draft well, but still.

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Had EVP Sashi Brown and company actually gave up a second and third round picks for Cincinnati Bengals QB A.J. McCarron, that would have been the last straw for many.

Outside of the Browns and prior to their failed trade, how many teams do you think really had a serious interest in trading high draft picks for the backup? Not just in 2017 either.

Brown is a lawyer and lawyers deal with paperwork daily.

With all the mixed reports stating numerous angles, along with info via new conferences, don’t discount Brown and company realizing a McCarron deal wouldn’t be best. Thus, resulting in them not executing the deal for X number of reasons.

Cleveland also recently got back WR Josh Gordon. No, he is not going to be playing on Sunday versus the Detroit Lions but he will be back in Week 13. Gordon hasn’t played in a game since 2014, so it remains to be seen what kind of player he is.

Cleveland needs all the help they can get. Gordon isn’t going to be the lone key to helping the Browns but maybe he can help over time.

One major component of the Browns’ future is the draft. As I opened this piece, Cleveland would be drafting in the top three; Something that an all too common occurrence.

Since Cleveland also owns Houston’s first and second round picks in 2018, among the many other additional picks acquired, they are sitting pretty. Not only with the number of picks, but also the location of where those picks could be.

Unfortunately, Watson is now out for the season due to a torn ACL. It is tough seeing anyone get injured. Unforeseen circumstances like Watson’s injury have led the Browns to potentially two top-10 picks. Since Watson isn’t playing, I expect to see two top-six picks for Cleveland when it is all said and done.

Next: Anything to take away from Josh Gordon's interview?

I know it’s tough watching the Browns since nothing ever seems to improve. Despite the gloomy days, take these wins (although they are not on the scoreboard) no matter how small. These instances can lead to progress, even for the Browns.