Between now and the start of the new league year in March, TGS is providing brief summaries looking ahead at the offseason from the perspective of each NFL team. In this edition, we look at the Cleveland Browns.
2016 record: 1-15 — 4th place, AFC North
What’s new? Rather surprisingly, they’re slated to make the first pick in the draft for the first time this century.
Projected salary cap space: $107 million — More than anyone else in the NFL by a freakin’ mile.
Key in-house free agents: WR Terrelle Pryor, G Austin Pasztor, CB Tramon Williams
The Browns are straight-up weird. They had a lot of money to spend last year, too, and yet they let four high-quality free agents walk. This year, only Pryor and Pasztor matter. It looks like they might get a deal done with Pryor, but I’ll believe it when I see it — especially since they’re reportedly not planning on using the franchise tag there.
Key needs: Quarterback, quarterback, quarterback. Oh and defensive back (safety and corner), center, maybe right tackle and wide receiver.
Draft breakdown: They pick first overall and then again 12th, 33rd, 51st and 65th. They have nine picks in total, for now.
Other potential priorities: Just find a damn quarterback, and then we’ll talk
Outlook: Just find a damn quarterback, and then we’ll talk
