The Cleveland Browns released the wrong players on Monday

The Cleveland Browns released two on Labor Day.

When the United States is celebrating their day off for Labor Day, two Cleveland Browns will be off for good going forward. The Browns made a decision over the weekend to sign offensive tackle Joe Haeg and tight end Jesse James, in doing so put the Browns at 55 players on their active roster.

The Browns and the rest of the NFL, can’t have more than 53 players. That means two men had to go. Those two names were offensive guard Drew Forbes and preseason standout, linebacker Jordan Kunaszyk.

The Browns were fine at tackle, and Haeg wouldn’t improve their situation any. It’s not like Haeg is a better option than Jedrick Wills, and the depth on the team isn’t going to be affected much either with Haeg’s arrival. Wills is the big issue at left tackle if there is a “big issue” on this line outside of the center spot. Wills has not really improved much since being drafted and is far from the best tackle in the draft.

The move was done to help fortify the position just in case Jack Conklin isn’t healthy, but Chris Hubbard should be, so again it feels like a moot point to bring in Haeg.

James on the other hand made sense, as the Browns only had three tight ends, so in a simple numbers situation, sure. James made sense. Yet, James isn’t so much better (if better at all) over the guys the Browns released. Namely Miller Forristall.

James may be a better blocker but only barely.

The Browns released the wrong players to make room

If Haeg and James are so valuable that the team needed them, fine. I can accept that as a realistic possibility. Why Forbes and Kunaszyk? The Browns have five ends, and while yes, there appears to be some sort of familial issue with Myles Garrett that may impact his availability but isn’t that why you have seven other defensive linemen?

Do you really need five defensive ends? The Browns only have five linebackers now for three spots. The Browns have five defensive ends for two spots. If anyone on defense was getting released, it made sense to get rid of Isaiah Thomas.

As for the Browns on the offense, if James Hudson is so bad that you need to go get a guy to play because of how bad he is, then he shouldn’t be on the team. It’s really that simple. Yet, Andrew Berry once again puts the guys he’s drafted over guys who can actually help the team.

This is going to blow up in his face when these guys, some of whom are three years in, fail to provide the results needed. Forbes was a great guard prospect and Kunaszyk looked great in the preseason.

To lose them hurt. They may end up on the practice squad but we’ll have to wait and see if they make it that far. Both men should have some demand around the league.