Cleveland Browns: 5 mistakes that set up 2019 for failure

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TAMPA, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 22: Daniel Jones #8 of the New York Giants is hit by Carl Nassib #94 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during a game at Raymond James Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

Cutting Seth Devalve and Carl Nassib

Now hold on. Yes, Carl Nassib was cut in the 2018 season and that was dumb then too. The reason why Nassib makes the 2019 list, however, is two-fold. Firstly, he played better than Olivier Vernon this season. That’s not even debatable. He’s also $13 million or so cheaper for the same production. Plus Nassib is bigger, and longer than Vernon, allowing Nassib to have more versatility with how you could use him.

Nassib could be a great red-zone/hail mary defensive back. He’s got good footwork, smooth hips, and the ability to play the pass. Plus he’s built like an NBA power forward with long, lanky arms.

Secondly, when Myles Garrett got suspended the team was lacking someone to help get pressure and that could’ve been Nassib. He only had six sacks in Tamp Bay in each of the last two years but he also wasn’t a full-time starter. He only started 8 of the 14 games he played in 2019. Imagine if he was on a team that valued him enough to play full time? His numbers would be even more impressive. He still would have been an impact player of sorts with Garrett out. Maybe not 18 sacks for a year, but the possibility of double digits does exist.

Now the Seth Devalve selection will confuse some readers. Devalve was once considered to be on par if not better than L.A. Chargers tight end Hunter Henry by some draft sites. He certainly showed flashes his first two seasons with the Browns but his 2018 campaign was marred by how the team used him. He got cut, went on to Jacksonville, and played well as a spot starter. He started six games and played in a total of 12.

Looking at the Browns tight ends, and there were a lot, the total group was targeted 73 times, with 44 receptions for a whopping 497 yards. The Browns had zero help from the tight end unit in 2019 and Devalve showed flashes in 2016 and 2017 that he could be a good target. Having Devalve on the roster would’ve provided Baker Mayfield that much-needed safety blanket he was lacking. Outside of the two star wide receivers, no Browns player broke 300 yards total for the year. Devalve may have been that guy to actually do just that.

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