5 potential players who could be surprisingly cut by the Cleveland Browns

Baker Mayfield

Many in the Cleveland Browns fanbase don’t see this as a realistic possibility but keep in mind the Browns are on a deadline. They really can’t afford to keep him on the roster past the preseason without sacrificing a roster spot. Any type of shenanigans on the part of the Browns will only cause more drama and turmoil. They already have enough of that with their current starter, who has a tendency to make massage therapists cry. For some reason.

If the Browns can’t find a trade partner by the last week of cuts, Mayfield will be sent packing. They’re going to eat his $18 million this season by that point anyway, so that’s not going to detour them from moving on.  After all, he checks off three of the above criteria.

There is a better option on the roster. He no longer fits the scheme and he will be a distraction.

The Browns already have three quarterbacks who fit what the Browns want out of the quarterback spot this season and that style of play isn’t Mayfield’s game. So he’s no longer a scheme fit.

Keeping him on the roster and bringing him into the team on a daily basis will only increase the drama that the Browns are already dealing with, and Mayfield and Watson have both proven to be guys who will say whatever they want, even if it’s ill-advised.

Not only that but by that point, there’s no reason to hold out for a compensatory draft pick. For those who don’t know, if Mayfield leaves the team after 2022 and signs with a new team, the Browns get a draft pick for losing him.

Many fans assume that it’ll be a third-round pick, a nice compensation for Mayfield. Yet, that’s not true. The compensatory pick is based on a variety of variables, including how much his new deal is worth and how much time he put in during the 2022 season.

The Browns will likely get a 6th or 7th round pick for Mayfield if they hold onto him throughout the 2022 season. Sure, that’s something, by the barest definitions of the term, but is it worth risking a game or three if a player gets hurt? Mayfield will have to take an active roster spot, which means one less defensive back, running back, receiver, offensive linemen, etc.

And for what? To tell the world you got something for him?

They’ll likely trade Mayfield before then, but he is a candidate to be cut, even if you don’t like it.