The Cleveland Browns should give Michael Thomas a chance but he shouldn’t be the focus of the offseason

The Cleveland Browns should keep an eye on Michael Thomas.

The New Orleans Saints are expected to release Michael Thomas at some point this offseason and the Cleveland Browns would be wise to take a look at the once-Pro Bowl-level talent. The Browns are reshaping their offense to better utilize the talents of embattled quarterback Deshaun Watson. For some reason, Kevin Stefanski is going to retool everything with input from Watson, despite Stefanski having a clear focus on what he wants out of the offense for the first three seasons as a head coach.

With the focus being less on running the ball, and the Browns need substantial upgrades at receiver, the Browns may see someone like Thomas as a viable option. When healthy, he was an elite-level receiver. He’s never going to be that level of talent again, but he may be someone worth bringing aboard, especially if he’s coming in on a good deal.

It should be noted that he’s missed most of the last three seasons due to lower-leg injuries, and the odds he ever regains his old form are very low. Yet, if he can be 3/5 of what he was, then the Browns may have found themselves a real contributor.

The era of the running back may be over in Cleveland

There’s going to be a lot of talk of adding receivers to the team, and a lot of talk of reducing the number of running backs next season. It may very well be a situation where Nick Chubb becomes the primary ball carrier for the club, with someone like Jerome Ford only playing sparingly.

I wouldn’t rule out the idea of the Browns moving on from Chubb this offseason either. It may seem far-fetched, but Chubb’s contract can be moved, and the team will only have to eat $4 million this and next year.

Considering Andrew Berry’s decision-making, nothing is off the table.