The Cleveland Browns went a shopping spree yesterday acquiring wide receiver Jarvis Landry, quarterback Tyrod Taylor, and cornerback Damarious Randall. The flurry of moves on Friday afternoon sent shockwaves across the NFL and put the league on notice. The Browns mean business.
General manager John Dorsey is taking a completely different approach than his analytics driven predecessor Sashi Brown. Instead of hoarding picks and cap space, Dorsey has elected to use the capital he has at his disposal. Brown laid the foundation that Dorsey is trying to build on but unlike Brown, Dorsey is actually using his assets to build a competitive roster.
Dorsey did all of this without giving up any of his top picks in this year’s draft. Cleveland still has five picks in the top 65 and they are in prime position to draft two impact players at the top of the draft.
The players that were acquired yesterday will make an immediate impact. Landry will start opposite Josh Gordon and give the Browns a legitimate second receiver. Third year receiver Corey Coleman will benefit too because he can kick inside and play the slot in 11 and 10 personnel groupings.
Tyrod Taylor is the perfect bridge quarterback for the Browns. He is not an elite quarterback by any means but he can manage the offense and protect the football. The Browns offense could be fun to watch with Taylor quarterbacking Todd Haley’s offense next season.
The Browns secondary struggled mightily last season. Damarious Randall isn’t exactly an elite corner but he has started the past three seasons in Green Bay and is versatile. Randall can start or play the nickel spot. He is an upgrade over what the Browns have now.
Dorsey rolled the dice yesterday with three players he believes could help the Browns turn things around. Browns fans need hope and these moves represent that. Dorsey has the Browns heading in the right direction. He needs to build on yesterday’s moves by adding more impact players in next month’s draft. If he does that, the Browns will finally start turning the proverbial corner.