As free agency and the start of the 2024 NFL off-season approach, speculation regarding what the Cleveland Browns can do to better their club for the upcoming season heats up.
While perhaps moving on from Deshaun Watson is one of the hottest subjects right now, there’s a strong chance it’ll be just talk and no action.
On a more pragmatic note, there are certain things the Browns can do to boost their chances for next season.
According to Mary Kay Cabot, those factors include adding another high-caliber wide receiver and re-signing quarterback Joe Flacco.
If it were up to Cabot, she would “break the bank” and target a wide receiver like Mike Evans or Tee Higgins.
Both wideouts are hitting free agency, and it’s uncertain whether they’ll stay with their current teams.
The same is true for other top wide receivers in free agency, such as Gabe Davis of the Buffalo Bills and Calvin Ridley of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
If the Browns are unable to sign a great wide receiver in free agency, there are numerous trade options available, including DeAndre Hopkins and Davante Adams.
Aside from getting a quality wideout and increasing their Super Bowl chances, Cabot’s second critical move would be to bring back Joe Flacco.
Flacco had an outstanding second half of the season, earning Comeback Player of the Year.
While the Browns would love to have him return, the veteran is likely to seek a starting job somewhere.
Reporter Clarifies Browns’ Plans for Nick Chubb
It appears that Nick Chubb is here to stay.
Recent rumors suggest that the Cleveland Browns may want to cut their star running back this offseason.
However, those speculations may be put to rest, as Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reports that the Browns have no plans to cut Chubb (via Faithful Dawgs Podcast on Twitter).
Rumors circulated that Cleveland could cut Chubb as a cap casualty.
The Deshaun Watson contract complicates Cleveland’s cap predicament, making it difficult to extend other stars.
Chubb is nearing the final year of his contract and is coming off yet another devastating knee injury.
If the Browns choose to cut Chubb, they would save little less than $12 million.
That money would undoubtedly be beneficial in terms of strengthening other positions on the roster.
However, according to MKC, the prospective savings are insufficient to persuade the Browns to part ways with Chubb.
He’s emerged as one of the league’s top running backs and a fan favorite in northeast Ohio.
Cleveland’s offense is simply more effective and efficient with Chubb than without him.
That’s significant because Deshaun Watson’s job is made simpler with a dynamic running game to rely on.
When Chubb was injured last season, Cleveland lost its ground dominance.
While there is no assurance he will return exactly the same, Chubb has previously recovered from a horrible injury experienced while at Georgia.
Chubb is a prime contender for a comeback from injury.
While nothing is official, Cabot’s reporting is consistently accurate.
Browns fans should be confident that their team plans on keeping Chubb in town.
Stats Show Browns Defender Was Exceptional Last Season.
It’s frequently stated that defensive backs “play on an island.”
They are essentially covering a receiver from the farthest green spots of a football field.
Unlike defensive linemen, who are piled next to one another to help bring down opposing ballcarriers, corners must make a play on their own.
That is why cornerback is one of the most difficult positions to play in football.
Their faults are exposed for all to see, and the athlete is frequently unable to recover.
That does not appear to be the case for Cleveland Browns player Martin Emerson Jr.
Emerson has become one of the NFL’s top young corners since joining the Browns in 2022.
Recently, Pro Football Focus (PFF) evaluated Emerson’s film from the 2023 season and discovered that he did not allow a touchdown in coverage.
