Dawgs By Nature - All PostsA Cleveland Browns bloghttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48679/dawgsbynature-fave.png2024-03-29T10:27:22-04:00http://www.dawgsbynature.com/rss/current/2024-03-29T10:27:22-04:002024-03-29T10:27:22-04:00Browns NFL Draft INSIGHT: CB Andru Phillips
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<img alt="COLLEGE FOOTBALL: DEC 29 TaxSlayer Gator Bowl - Clemson vs Kentucky" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ht_xvdemdWqe5K8-_EIm2QoHOpk=/0x1:3899x2600/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73241347/1888253870.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p><em>Round 3: Browns will love this guy</em></p> <div class="c-float-right"> <figure class="e-image">
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<p id="Jb6Sxr">Is the <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a> cornerback room good? Denzel Ward is the resident Pro Bowler and M.J. Emerson will in all likelihood become the next corner that is handed hardware. Greg Newsome has had his moments, and then again has struggled. The youngster Cam Mitchell has shown promise. Kahlef Hailassie has great speed. </p>
<p id="QBspSw">Great cornerbacks are difficult to find, and every team in the entire league can always use another special corner. And good ones can be had on Day 2. Emerson was a third-rounder and became the starter opposite Ward in his rookie season. </p>
<p id="DyAcmy">With no first-round pick in this year’s draft, the Browns’ opening pick in the draft, barring any move upwards, is #54 in the second round. </p>
<p id="AC6Nm8">Phillips’ physical profile makes him an interesting cornerback for a team that likes to play heavy-press coverage. He projects as a rotation player early in his career.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="KeAHZY">
<h2 id="xUcmov">CB Andru Phillips </h2>
<h3 id="Jmh8f8"><strong>Draft projection: Round 3 </strong></h3>
<p id="zxho4L"><strong>Browns pick: #85 </strong></p>
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<h3 id="EwflVP"><em><strong>Specifics:</strong></em></h3>
<p id="jRsff7"><strong>College:</strong> Kentucky</p>
<p id="UGeEhL"><strong>Height:</strong> 6’-0”</p>
<p id="SoKQHO"><strong>Weight:</strong> 187 pounds</p>
<p id="4WX2DD"><strong>40-time:</strong> 4.48</p>
<p id="MqyD0b"><strong>Career Tackles:</strong> 82</p>
<p id="Ipxdma"><strong>Career Forced Fumbles:</strong> 0</p>
<p id="4DLtXY"><strong>Career Sacks:</strong> 0</p>
<p id="Y5luNT"><strong>Career Tackles for Loss: </strong>3</p>
<p id="j5qHZy"><strong>Career Pass Defenses: </strong>10</p>
<p id="RiHNv9"><strong>Career Interceptions: </strong>0</p>
<p id="uefRlj"><strong>Career starts:</strong> 29</p>
<div id="RVTqAM"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0XcJ7dSZA4A?rel=0" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="accelerometer; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share;"></iframe></div></div>
<h3 id="zlZ2IX"><em><strong>Positives:</strong></em></h3>
<ul>
<li id="xoOTcg">Athletic explosiveness</li>
<li id="tZxp8P">Hustler</li>
<li id="lVVqm9">Positional flexibility</li>
<li id="kQs05R">Quick yet not fast</li>
<li id="0B4QtD">Outstanding in run support</li>
<li id="nyCV7t">Pre-snap leverage</li>
<li id="8TFgOi">Excellent in zone coverage</li>
<li id="rN53lA">Plays with the necessary awareness</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="NiDILm"><em><strong>Negatives:</strong></em></h3>
<ul>
<li id="D21gkW">Needs instruction on making tackles</li>
<li id="UYCFT9">Zero picks in college are a concern</li>
<li id="qsgk3s">Need better skills with ball location</li>
<li id="406A5t">Not the most agile athlete</li>
</ul>
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Kentucky at Missouri" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Lp7xlL5CSNEbcJmA9WgaFfg8jjQ=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25352644/usa_today_19366105.jpg">
<cite>William Purnell-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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<h3 id="q0Ulck"><strong>Expert Draft Site Analysis</strong></h3>
<h4 id="RtmMfT"><strong>BleacherReport.com</strong></h4>
<p id="NMu0PO">When playing in pass coverage, Phillips is at best when in off-zone coverage, where he’s able to use his awareness and vision to identify routes as they develop downfield. He has above-average speed but can fall into trouble with his lack of recovery speed and top-end speed to run downfield. He performs best when he has help over the top and is able to play in underneath coverage.</p>
https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2024/3/29/24110610/browns-nfl-draft-cb-andru-phillipsBarry Shuck2024-03-29T08:51:29-04:002024-03-29T08:51:29-04:00NFL draft: Browns top 3 needs identified
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<img alt="NFL Combine" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/sFPswP40ByYt12usNx1P8dslLAM=/0x0:6000x4000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73241087/2043943043.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>With NFL free agency slowing down, NFL draft continues to be the focus</p> <p id="gL6t8e">To get this out of the way early in the article, it was tough to title this one as I have a fundamental disagreement with the idea that the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">NFL draft</a> and team needs have much to do with one another. The failure to plan ahead or waiting/hoping that a player that fills the hole in your roster falls in the draft is just bad planning.</p>
<p id="vAbxAM">NFL free agency, and planning ahead in previous NFL drafts, is where needs should be filled. The current NFL draft should be about the best players and future needs.</p>
<aside id="A4WpIq"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Browns Draft Coverage","url":"https://www.dawgsbynature.com/cleveland-browns-nfl-draft"}]}'></div></aside><p id="iNSvoD">For the <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a>, this is especially true without a first-round selection and just five picks in the 2024 draft. GM Andrew Berry spent free agency plugging holes for the upcoming season, leaving himself the flexibility to focus on the future with the picks that he does have.</p>
<aside id="6uT5te"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Details matter: The Jerry Jeudy extension","url":"https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2024/3/29/24115225/breakdown-of-wr-jerry-jeudys-contract-extension-with-the-browns"}]}'></div></aside><p id="WqJl8j">For some teams, needs abound. For the Browns, needs is too strong of a word. They, like every team will always, need young, cheap depth. Pro Football Focus identified every team’s needs and Cleveland’s fit the fact that the team has few needs for 2024:</p>
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<p id="k5yVMG"><strong>Team Needs: LB, OT, WR</strong></p>
<p id="4JvXAc">While they may have temporarily upgraded by signing Jordan Hicks, he will be 32 years old this season. They could use a run-stopping linebacker to complement a defense that heavily leans toward on pass-rush and coverage prowess.</p>
<p id="5yXNNQ">Both of the team’s starting offensive tackles suffered season-ending injuries in 2023. Jedrick Wills Jr.’s contract expires at the end of 2024, so the Browns should be searching for a left tackle in case of his eventual departure.</p>
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<p id="OM6duE">Hicks fills the immediate need but a long-term linebacker next to <strong>Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah</strong> would be helpful. <strong>Jack Conklin, Dawand Jones</strong> and Wills ending the season on injured reserve is a concern for sure especially with Wills set for free agency and Conklin having his third major knee surgery.</p>
<p id="ycEMkX">In their full write-up, PFF notes the addition of WR <strong>Jerry Jeudy</strong> but with <strong>Elijah Moore</strong> and Cooper set for free agency, Berry should be looking for more talent at the position.</p>
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<p id="KyxNcQ"><em><strong>Do you agree with PFF’s identified “needs” or would you put another position in the mix?</strong></em></p>
<p id="vaojUu"><strong>Join the conversation with fellow Browns fans in the comment section below</strong></p>
https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2024/3/29/24115382/nfl-draft-browns-needs-nfl-free-agencyJared Mueller2024-03-29T07:00:00-04:002024-03-29T07:00:00-04:00Breakdown of WR Jerry Jeudy’s contract extension with the Browns
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<img alt="Cleveland Browns v Denver Broncos" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/cCgZzJ6ql3vOYC7vAiUSiiM-nCA=/0x0:5798x3865/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73240930/1815224519.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Browns’ new wide receiver first received a restructured contract, then got an extension, within a week.</p> <p id="fsfipH">While our staff analyzes the <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2024/3/27/24112762/jerry-jeudy-trade-browns-grade-analysis">Cleveland Browns’ decision to trade for WR <strong>Jerry Jeudy</strong></a>, I’m focusing on how his contract with the team looks after being restructured and extended, <a href="https://overthecap.com/player/jerry-jeudy/8755">according to Over the Cap</a>.</p>
<div id="bq8nJ5"><div data-anthem-component="table:12292462"></div></div>
<ul>
<li id="zqcf9R">First, we need to remember what the Browns acquired. The Denver Broncos exercised the fifth-year option on Jeudy, which means his base salary in 2024 was set to be $12.987 million in guaranteed money. When Cleveland acquired Jeudy, they understood that they were definitely on the hook for that.</li>
<li id="EolFZx">Before extending him, GM <strong>Andrew Berry</strong> restructured Jeudy’s contract. He took that $12.987 million, and only gave him the minimum salary for a fifth-year player as a base salary ($1.125 million), and converted the rest of it to a signing bonus that spanned over five years ($2.3724 million per year). Those final four years would have been void years.</li>
<li id="RlmNwz">Then came the contract extension itself, which was a 3-year extension worth $52.5 million. That includes $6.013 million in a signing bonus, which is spread out over five years ($1.2026 million). If you combine both signing bonuses ($2.3724 million + $1.2026 million), then that’s why the signing bonus column equals $3.575 million per year for the first five years (the last of which is a void year).</li>
<li id="IUF9b6">Jeudy’s base salary from 2025-2027 is $1.5 million per year. His base salary in 2024 and 2025 are guaranteed.</li>
<li id="DaF94t">In 2025, Jeudy is due a $14.5 million option bonus, which is guaranteed. That will be spread over five years.</li>
<li id="flV3BI">In 2026, Jeudy is due a $6 million option bonus, which is guaranteed. That will be spread over five years.</li>
<li id="0z3KhL">In 2027, Jeudy is due a $21.487 million option bonus, which is <em>not</em> guaranteed. That will be spread over five years.</li>
<li id="aIEFyR">It was reported that Jeudy has $41 million guaranteed, although only $28.01 million of that is <em>new</em> guarantees (the rest was already guaranteed from his Broncos’ contract). The guaranteed money are his base salaries in 2024 and 2025, his signing bonus, and his 2025 and 2026 option bonuses.</li>
<li id="ywXQZL">What happens if Jeudy plays all four years of his deal, and no restructure is done? Then, when his contract voids in 2028, it would be a $30.164 million dead cap hit in 2028, as seen in the table below. If the Browns plan to keep him for 2027, that likely means that he is playing well, and they would try to extend his contract a few more years to kick that money further down the road.</li>
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https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2024/3/29/24115225/breakdown-of-wr-jerry-jeudys-contract-extension-with-the-brownsChris Pokorny2024-03-29T05:30:00-04:002024-03-29T05:30:00-04:00Daily Dawg Chow 3/29: Are the Browns close to re-signing Amari Cooper?
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<img alt="NFL: Cleveland Browns at Houston Texans" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/efYmcUa6LOf582AvOD3aPlKXfdQ=/1470x254:4610x2347/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73240817/usa_today_22171703.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>More of the latest Browns news and notes from around the web in today’s dose of the Daily Dawg Chow.</p> <figure class="e-image">
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<p id="6GtXmA">The latest <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a> coverage from <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Dawgs By Nature</a>:</p>
<ul>
<li id="CwutdR">
<a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2024/3/28/24115052/cleveland-browns-nfl-draft-profile-qb-joe-milton">Browns NFL Draft Profile: QB Joe Milton</a> (Thomas Moore) Cleveland appears set at quarterback, but would they take a risk on a raw talent with a big arm?</li>
<li id="XOCTuK">
<a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2024/3/28/24115060/nfl-draft-trades-browns-value-seahawks-vikings-colts-patriots">NFL draft trades: 5 teams, including Browns, gained huge value in pick swaps since ‘11</a> (Jared Mueller) Trading draft picks, especially during the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">NFL draft</a>, is a lot of fun for fans</li>
<li id="CVyEeT">
<a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2024/3/28/24115010/browns-amari-cooper-contract-salary-cap">Browns roster: Another extension coming soon?</a> (Jared Mueller) Amari Cooper was acquired as a salary dump, now could see an extension</li>
<li id="XTOjJr">
<a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2024/3/28/24113483/cleveland-browns-free-agency-new-kickoff-rules-nyheim-hines">New NFL kickoff rule makes one of Browns free-agent signings even better</a> (Matt Wilson) The signing of Nyheim Hines gains extra value with the new NFL Kickoff structure</li>
</ul>
<p id="MqpVgz">More <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a> news:</p>
<ul>
<li id="ZOXagS">
<a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/browns/news/browns-logistical-hurdle-could-help-browns-to-play-in-brazil">A Logistical Hurdle For Packers, Could Aid Browns Push For Brazil Game</a> (Sports Illustrated) “The NFL is expected to chosoe between the Browns and <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Packers</a> to be the Eagles opponent for their season opening international game in Brazil.”</li>
<li id="RUbWLH">
<a href="https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10114775-browns-deshaun-watson-remains-on-schedule-amid-shoulder-injury-rehab-gm-says">Browns’ Deshaun Watson Remains on Schedule amid Shoulder Injury Rehab, GM Says</a> (Bleacher Report) “Watson threw for the first time this week at UCLA in a session with his private quarterbacks coach Quincy Avery and tight end David Njoku, who caught his passes. Browns general manager Andrew Berry said Tuesday at league meetings in Orlando that the rehab process has been “really positive.”</li>
<li id="IqcJiZ">
<a href="https://www.aol.com/cleveland-browns-granted-nfl-international-175504816.html">Cleveland Browns granted NFL international marketing right in Nigeria</a> (AOL) “The NFL announced on Monday at the owners meetings in Orlando Fla., that the Browns were granted international marketing rights in Nigeria. They are the first NFL team to be awarded the market as part of the league’s Global Markets Program.”</li>
<li id="xly0QC">
<a href="https://fox8.com/news/mayor-bibb-speaks-on-browns-stadium-after-state-of-the-city-address/">Mayor Bibb speaks on Browns stadium after State of the City address</a> (Fox 8) “Mayor Bibb spoke to hundreds of people during his 2024 State of the City address at the Mimi Ohio Theatre in Playhouse Square. It was sponsored, in part, by the City Club of Cleveland.”</li>
</ul>
https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2024/3/29/24115333/daily-dawg-chow-3-29-are-the-browns-close-to-re-signing-amari-cooper-kevin-stefanski-andrew-berryEzweav2024-03-28T19:30:00-04:002024-03-28T19:30:00-04:00Browns NFL Draft Profile: QB Joe Milton
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<img alt="Vanderbilt v Tennessee" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GI2VxhGzv33mjiPGkDp346LtZRM=/0x0:7248x4832/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73240314/1814302994.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Cleveland appears set at quarterback, but would they take a risk on a raw talent with a big arm?</p> <p id="ksjI1b">The <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a> have a clear pecking order at the quarterback position after doing some work in free agency.</p>
<p id="1Gdt6a">Deshaun Watson is the unquestioned starter. If Watson were to get hurt, Jameis Winston is there to step in, unless he gets traded at the end of training camp to a desperate team, in which case Tyler Huntley is around. Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who saw time as a rookie due to Watson’s injuries, is heading into his second season presumably wiser, but also in need of some more time on the sidelines as opposed to the playing field.</p>
<p id="KXcfTh">Quarterback does not appear to be a need in the 2024 <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">NFL Draft</a>, but general manager Andrew Berry is nothing if not forward-looking when it comes to building the roster, which could explain why the <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2024/3/28/24114494/nfl-draft-browns-joe-milton-dtr-jameis-winston-tyler-huntley">Browns are hosting Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton for one of their pre-draft visits</a>.</p>
<p id="v9tSmd">Milton has been around - he attempted four passes as a freshman for Michigan in 2018 - and only was the unquestioned full-time starter last season with Tennessee. Still, he has the raw talent and “big arm” that people dig, so let’s take a look at what Milton brings to the field.</p>
<p id="aJQNVJ"><strong>Name:</strong> Joe Milton</p>
<p id="rtywvK"><strong>Position:</strong> Quarterback</p>
<p id="q1KL03"><strong>Height/Weight:</strong> 6-foot-5, 235 pounds</p>
<p id="lQdDZO"><strong>College:</strong> <a href="https://www.rockytoptalk.com">Tennessee Volunteers</a></p>
<p id="z7YXbx"><strong>Stats (6 seasons):</strong> 43 games, 5,353 passing yards, 61.5 completion percentage, 37 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, 146.1 quarterback rating</p>
<p id="CS8ZO2"><strong>Relative Athletic Score</strong></p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Joe Milton III is a QB prospect in the 2024 draft class. He does not qualify for a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RAS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RAS</a> due to a lack of measurements.<a href="https://t.co/NV3cq2rp79">https://t.co/NV3cq2rp79</a> <a href="https://t.co/l865XaDKTN">pic.twitter.com/l865XaDKTN</a></p>— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) <a href="https://twitter.com/MathBomb/status/1772277262793998726?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 25, 2024</a>
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<p id="8scumF"><strong>Average “Big Board” Position As of Publishing Date</strong></p>
<p id="vhjClO"><strong>161st Overall </strong>(<a href="https://www.nflmockdraftdatabase.com/players/2024/joe-milton">NFL Mock Draft Database</a>)</p>
<p id="IEd9OA"><strong>PFF Big Board Rank:</strong> <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1641755&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pff.com%2Fdraft%2Fbig-board%3Fseason%3D2024&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dawgsbynature.com%2F2024%2F3%2F28%2F24115052%2Fcleveland-browns-nfl-draft-profile-qb-joe-milton" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">135th</a></p>
<p id="gDI5II"><strong>What an Expert is Saying</strong></p>
<div id="TWwl5d">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Tennessee QB Joe Milton will have a top 30 visit with the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Browns?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Browns</a> on Tuesday, per source. I’m told he met with the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Raiders?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Raiders</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Patriots?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Patriots</a> before his Pro Day as well. <a href="https://t.co/KHFtiYZgrL">https://t.co/KHFtiYZgrL</a></p>— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) <a href="https://twitter.com/Schultz_Report/status/1773399107526070550?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2024</a>
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<p id="ewmnjr"><strong>Pros and Cons</strong></p>
<p id="1N1vnA">Joe Milton had an interesting college career as he spent his first three seasons with Michigan before transferring to Tennessee, where he played another three years. It wasn’t until 2023 that he had a chance to be the full-time starter and he made the most of the opportunity by passing for 2,813 yards, completing 64.7 percent of his passes, and tossing 20 touchdowns against five interceptions for the Volunteers.</p>
<p id="IeHJlB">Milton has the arm to put the fear into opposing defenses, but he has not always been able to keep things under control, <a href="https://www.nfl.com/prospects/joe-milton-iii/32004d49-4c81-8788-f5e1-fe90adee6d31">according to NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein</a>:</p>
<blockquote><p id="nVj1pI">(Milton is a) rare physical specimen with the proverbial “arm talent to make all the NFL throws,” but he’s prevented from doing so by a lack of timing, accuracy, and touch. Milton is gifted with a cannon for a right arm and can throw the ball as hard or as far as you want. His fastballs are often inaccurate and difficult to catch for moving targets, and he was wildly inconsistent in locating his deep throws. He can elude pressure, extend plays, and put jaw-dropping highlights on tape, but he’s never been able to mature his game from splashy to consistent. He’s primarily a single-side reader who struggles to improvise with his eyes. The physical ingredients could get him drafted on Day 3, but his lack of development over six seasons discourages his projection.</p></blockquote>
<p id="wNKlym">The fact that it took so long for Milton to develop his game is a drawback, but he does possess some useful tools, <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1641755&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pff.com%2Fnews%2Fdraft-2024-nfl-draft-college-to-pro-projections-for-tennessee-qb-joe-milton-iii&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dawgsbynature.com%2F2024%2F3%2F28%2F24115052%2Fcleveland-browns-nfl-draft-profile-qb-joe-milton" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">according to Pro Football Focus</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p id="lcMAdc">Milton is as physically gifted as they come at 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds with good mobility and a cannon of an arm. He operates almost exclusively from the shotgun in Vol’s wide formation vertical offense. His trump card is his arm talent. He is also useful in the power/RPO run game.</p>
<p id="gP9Gp6">However, he still has a ways to go as a passer before becoming a potential NFL starter. His feet are heavy, and he can stop moving when he’s scanning the field. He also tends to get tunnel vision on primary reads and fails to move on in his progressions. His accuracy when throwing the fastball can be good, but his overall ball placement with touch is far too inconsistent.</p>
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<p id="7tRQHB"> Milton is the definition of a developmental quarterback, one that would be best sitting as a team’s third quarterback for at least a few years before trusting that he can move to a backup role.</p>
<div id="UPcocl">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Missing <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Tennessee?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Tennessee</a> football?<br><br>Here's some highlights from Joe Milton's MVP Orange Bowl performance. <a href="https://t.co/N7GihSbQ7k">pic.twitter.com/N7GihSbQ7k</a></p>— Evan Crowell (@evanvcrowell) <a href="https://twitter.com/evanvcrowell/status/1630697796407009280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 28, 2023</a>
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<p id="2hkjba"><strong>Browns Player Drafting Could Impact</strong></p>
<p id="Ms5kbf">The Browns have been collecting quarterbacks this offseason with the signings of Jameis Winston and Tyler Huntley to go along with Dorian Thompson-Robinson, last year’s developmental quarterback who was pushed into action earlier than planned. The Browns are not going to carry four quarterbacks, but if they do decide to select one in the draft, Huntley and DTR would be the odd men out. </p>
<p id="OigKNo"><strong>Priority</strong></p>
<p id="ZwHR8G"><strong>Low:</strong> The Browns are locked into Deshaun Watson at quarterback for another two or three seasons, as long as Watson can stay on the field. They have their veteran backup in Winston, with a spare in Huntley if another team sees a quarterback get hurt and they come calling in desperation for Winston. As much as he struggled last season, the team reportedly likes Thompson-Robinson, so it seems as if general manager Andrew Berry will focus on other areas in this year’s draft.</p>
<p id="hDQjo5"></p>
https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2024/3/28/24115052/cleveland-browns-nfl-draft-profile-qb-joe-miltonThomas Moore2024-03-28T18:51:17-04:002024-03-28T18:51:17-04:00NFL draft trades: 5 teams, including Browns, gained huge value in pick swaps since ‘11
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<img alt="Syndication: Green Bay Press-Gazette" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/AUVR4j9AMlJId3OeepI8mJvH9nc=/0x0:4392x2928/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73240243/usa_today_21833193.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Sarah Kloepping/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK</figcaption>
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<p>Trading draft picks, especially during the NFL draft, is a lot of fun for fans</p> <p id="K5guvt">The <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">NFL draft</a> is fun for most fans. While teams are focused on planning for the future, fans get to hope for immediate results, get to ask a lot of “what if?” questions and get to be surprised, mostly, with the results.</p>
<p id="2kyRy1">Trades, especially during the draft, make it all the more exciting.</p>
<p id="GrD7YG">For the <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a> and their fans, the NFL draft has mostly been fool’s gold and a disappointment. Most players never lived up to the expectations of their draft slotting. Trades down out of high picks for more “bites at the apple” robbed fans of premium players at premium positions.</p>
<p id="58IcwL">That doesn’t mean that the Browns trades of draft picks have been bad but they really haven’t worked out. Not only have they not been bad but Cleveland’s GMs have gotten the most value in pick-for-pick trades since 2011 by a wide margin:</p>
<div id="8ZLVUD">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Since 2011, here's how much draft value each team has gained or loss from pure pick for pick trades (not involving trading any player) using values from the Fitzgerald-Spielberger draft chart <a href="https://t.co/uxm71r1CUS">pic.twitter.com/uxm71r1CUS</a></p>— Arjun Menon (@arjunmenon100) <a href="https://twitter.com/arjunmenon100/status/1772656036106699071?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2024</a>
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<p id="mGkJdw">If only the acquired picks were used better, the Browns may have entered contention much sooner. </p>
<p id="YyZ5jZ">A quick rundown of the guys running the show in Cleveland since 2011:</p>
<ul>
<li id="cbh9p1">Tom Heckert: 2010-2012</li>
<li id="Joz0Rx">Michael Lombardi: 2013</li>
<li id="C1fCbe">Ray Farmer: 2014-2015</li>
<li id="3lVq3u">Sashi Brown: 2016-2017</li>
<li id="c8NtWG">John Dorsey: 2017-2019</li>
<li id="3V9lpD">Andrew Berry: 2020-present</li>
</ul>
<p id="W9qOl5">It is sad that in 13 drafts, with another just around the corner, Cleveland has had six different guys at the head of their front office.</p>
<p id="0uSY2H">As many of you reading have probably thought, winning trades doesn’t matter if winning doesn’t also then happen on the field soon after winning those trades. Interestingly, five relatively successful organizations follow the Browns on the graph above. It lends to the idea that the moves, big picture, Cleveland’s GMs have made were good ones but the corresponding selections failed.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="T7XBzR">
<p id="tvxgIx"><em><strong>Are you surprised by the above graph and how big the Browns margin is? Do you care, at all, given all the losing that has happened during that 13-year timeframe?</strong></em></p>
https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2024/3/28/24115060/nfl-draft-trades-browns-value-seahawks-vikings-colts-patriotsJared Mueller2024-03-28T17:44:00-04:002024-03-28T17:44:00-04:00Browns roster: Another extension coming soon?
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<img alt="NFL: AFC Wild Card Round-Cleveland Browns at Houston Texans" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/92KF9Ag6pEu7Kk8cFsjm_f0o8tg=/0x0:6000x4000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73240119/usa_today_22284696.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Amari Cooper was acquired as a salary dump, now could see an extension</p> <p id="sAP0Y4">When the <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a> acquired WR <strong>Amari Cooper</strong> from the Dallas Cowboys, Cooper was seen as a salary dump of sorts. At one point, Dallas was reportedly thinking about cutting the talented receiver but the Browns, <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2022/3/11/22973469/cleveland-browns-reportedly-real-players-for-amari-cooper">along with other teams</a>, shared their interest in making a deal for him.</p>
<p id="vdfbd1"><a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2022/3/12/22974476/cleveland-browns-agree-to-trade-for-wr-amari-cooper">Cleveland acquired Cooper</a> for the cost of a fifth-round pick (and sixth-round pick swap) in the spring of 2022. Since then, the Cowboys <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2022/11/6/23443970/cowboys-amari-cooper-obj-beckham-browns">have struggled to replace Cooper</a> and <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2023/12/24/24014211/browns-amari-cooper-nfl-record-week-16-200-yards-houston-texans">he set a Browns record and tied an NFL record in 2023</a>.</p>
<p id="EkKNaE">With WR <strong>Calvin Ridley</strong> signing a four-year deal worth almost $97 million, a surprising comparison came when everyone found out that <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2024/3/16/24102887/nfl-free-agency-amari-cooper-calvin-ridley-age-contract-alabama-crimson-tide">Ridley and Cooper were the same age</a>, went to the same college and never played together there.</p>
<p id="in1Lrz">Ridley’s deal could be the template for what Cooper is looking for in his next contract. The Browns top pass catcher is set for free agency at the end of this season <a href="https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2024/03/how-browns-gm-andrew-berry-feels-about-extending-amari-coopers-contract-as-he-heads-into-the-final-year-of-it.html">but GM Andrew Berry could be looking to change that</a>:</p>
<blockquote><p id="16sUgM">“Look, Coop’s a <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-pro-bowl">Pro Bowl</a>-caliber receiver,” Berry said. “He’s played really well for us the past two years. He’s a strong presence in the locker room. We love him. So players like that, you want to make sure that you can retain as long as possible and we’ll work through all of that at the appropriate times.”</p></blockquote>
<p id="WMstYe">Berry noted that getting things done early, instead of late, is their philosophy with contract extensions but Cooper turns 30 before this season starts and would have over 8,500 snaps on his legs after a full 2024 season. A lot to take into account while the wide receiver market jumps:</p>
<blockquote><p id="47AJ5b">“Probably by Week 1 of the NFL season, the top of that market’s going to be north of $30 million. So as we think of the contract-management space, rather than be reactive to new market dynamics, we try to be proactive. Probably more importantly, when we think about an extension or a signing, we think of where is the market going to be on September 1 as opposed to March 1.”</p></blockquote>
<p id="5hgy9R">It is noted that Cooper's negotiations will take priority after the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">NFL draft</a>. An extension this year could reduce Cooper’s $23 million cap hit in 2024 and, given the team’s contract structure, stay decently low in 2025 as well.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="bvLuMH">
<p id="yeGLqp"><em><strong>Do you think the Browns should pay Amari Cooper “top of the market” type money before he hits free agency despite turning 31 years old next year?</strong></em></p>
https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2024/3/28/24115010/browns-amari-cooper-contract-salary-capJared Mueller2024-03-28T11:49:45-04:002024-03-28T11:49:45-04:00New NFL kickoff rule makes one of Browns free-agent signings even better
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<img alt="Miami Dolphins v Buffalo Bills" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ZCKOazHaxMWzcroM-5q6WI-L5vg=/0x0:6165x4110/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73238992/1451419089.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The signing of Nyheim Hines gains extra value with the new NFL Kickoff structure</p> <p id="oJeBxB">The <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a> signed running back <strong>Nyheim Hines</strong> early on in the free agency period, and his value as a kick returner has skyrocketed with the announcement of the NFL’s new kickoff structure.</p>
<p id="EshMW3">On Tuesday, the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2024/3/26/24112353/nfl-new-kickoff-rule-explained-xfl?_gl=1*johpl9*">league decided to adopt the XFL-style kickoff beginning in 2024</a> and it could totally change how teams view specific types of players. Kick returns will be less of a “wide open”, all-out scramble to find open space and more of a designed offensive football play.</p>
<p id="DJ5Lbs">Players who have experience as a running back will have more value going forward due to their natural ability to see the field in a particular way. Considering the close proximity between the front lines of both the kick and return units, the returners are essentially operating in more of a wide zone or stretch play on offense. Somebody like Nyheim Hines who’s already seen as a great kick and punt returner will bring even more value to Cleveland with this new development. </p>
<p id="NwbPed">Needless to say, Hines is pretty excited about the change as well:</p>
<div id="r2ZCQO">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" align="center">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">THIS NEW KICKOFF RULE </p>— Nyheim Hines (@TheNyNy7) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheNyNy7/status/1772699892160344328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2024</a>
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<p id="NqQRAs">Hines’ ability to read and react to his blockers will have more of an effect on the outcome of kick returns as opposed to somebody who relies on pure speed or having the ability to make people “miss” in the open field.</p>
<div id="dNSzl2">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" align="center">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Nyheim Hines was MADE for this type of kickoff format. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Browns?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Browns</a><br> <a href="https://t.co/RHFkbre5Ke">pic.twitter.com/RHFkbre5Ke</a></p>— Matt Wilson (@CoachWilson66) <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachWilson66/status/1773040134859948334?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2024</a>
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<p id="bD3B2U">Eric Galko, who was a part of the XFL’s design, provided even more insight:</p>
<div id="zr2IR4">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">1. Overall Play Designs: The kickoff play isn’t going to be run like a previous kickoff. They'll be less value on collisions, quickness and explosiveness.<br><br>Instead, it’ll likely be more closely analogous to a spaced out run play. You might even see Special Teams coaches develop… <a href="https://t.co/fNw4WSRZcC">pic.twitter.com/fNw4WSRZcC</a></p>— Eric Galko (@EricGalko) <a href="https://twitter.com/EricGalko/status/1772628370943017319?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2024</a>
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<p id="4QTzT7">Depending on how the NFL begins to view the value of kick returners over the next couple of seasons, players like Hines could end up costing teams quite a bit more than what Cleveland signed him for. </p>
<p id="l4HYog">Whether it's as a pass-catcher out of the backfield or being an explosive playmaker on special teams, the Browns could be in for a big season from Nyheim Hines in 2024.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="pg8UE0">
<p id="HXvvGD"><em><strong>How do you feel about the NFL’s new kickoff format? Join fellow Browns fans in the comment section below.</strong></em></p>
https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2024/3/28/24113483/cleveland-browns-free-agency-new-kickoff-rules-nyheim-hinesMatt_Wilson