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Cleveland Browns: 3 reasons why the 2020 offseason was better than 2019’s

By Chad Porto

Cleveland Browns Dontrell Hilliard (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Cleveland Browns Dontrell Hilliard (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 22: Dexter Lawrence #97 of the New York Giants reacts after a sack against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the fourth quarter at Raymond James Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 22: Dexter Lawrence #97 of the New York Giants reacts after a sack against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the fourth quarter at Raymond James Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Had a first-round draft pick

The Cleveland Browns gave up their first-round NFL Draft pick for Odell Beckham Jr. Sure, right now Beckham looks to be the better player than any wide-out available after the 17th pick in the draft. So that doesn’t hurt necessarily hurt. That said, they could’ve gone offensive line instead of a wide receiver by targeting Andre Dillard or Kaleb McGarry. Both of whom would’ve been upgrades at either tackle position compared to what the team had coming into the season.

They could’ve even just picked the same player the Giants took in the draft, Dexter Lawerence. Lawerence, a defensive tackle, already made NFL.com’s 2020 All-Under-25 Team. The Browns had issues with Sheldon Richardson last year, who didn’t provide much pressure up the middle. He also got moved off the ball far too often to be efficient, causing the linebackers and safeties to have to deal with more guards blocking downfield than usual.

You could have even gotten Noah Fant, a tight end out of Iowa. Considering the Browns would be without a starting-caliber tight end for the entire year, that wouldn’t of been a bad idea. Ricky Seals-Jones lead the team with 229 yards and four touchdowns for all tight ends. That’s mostly because the team didn’t have a player good enough to keep on the field. Fant would’ve been the perfect fit, as he could have blocked and provided Baker Mayfield a third-option receiver. He had over 500 yards with the Broncos in his rookie year, and there’s no doubt in my mind that Fant could’ve topped 500 yards with the Browns as well.

The lack of a first-round pick ended up hurting the Browns more than anyone would’ve thought.

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