4 Burning Browns Questions, Including What They'll Prioritize In The NFL Draft

Andrew Berry was plenty active at the start of the new league year making a flurry of moves as he builds the roster for 2024. As the offseason rolls on though, plenty of questions await Berry and the Browns.

The 2024 Cleveland Browns are taking shape after the first week of the new league year. So far Andrew Berry has prioritized retaining many of the pieces that made Cleveland successful in 2023, with a few notable changes mixed in. As the offseason keeps on moving more questions await. Here are this week's four burning Browns questions.

Will Andrew Berry restructure anymore contracts this offseason?

With the restructures of Denzel Ward, Jedrick Wills and Jerry Jeudy, Berry already created more than $30 million in cap space to execute his free agent plans. Based on the contracts we know financial details of like Jameis Winston ($4 million in 2024), Za'Darius Smith ($5,2 million in 2024) and Shelby Harris ($2.2 million in 2024) just to name a few, the Browns haven't maxed out that space just yet.

Whether or not Berry has any additional plans to add more through free agency, know that he's generally likes to start the season with some additional cap space that he saves as rollover money for the following year. That may mean he has a few more restructures planned later on this offseason. Some potential candidates for it include Nick Chubb and, of course, Deshaun Watson. 

4 Browns Players Who Could Still Be Due For A Contract Restructure

After the first week of free agency, what positions will the Browns prioritize in the draft?

The first week of free agency always comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. With most of the big name free agents signed at this point, everyone's focus now shifts to the draft, which is just a little over a month away now.

After the Jeudy trade I don't think wide receiver will be as high of a priority for Cleveland as it once was. I'd still anticipate Berry drafts at least one – something he's done in every single draft since becoming the Browns GM in 2020. This WR class is one of the deeper positions of the class so its possible to still land a solid player if he waits until the third or fourth round.

With that in mind, I think defensive line is likely to be a top priority when they're on the clock at 54. Linebacker remains a need for this team as well, so I think that is a group they'll look to the draft to add to. Also, Berry has drafted a defensive back in all but one year as GM, so that's a trend that's likely to continue.

Dec 28, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) reacts during the first half against the New York Jets during the second half at Cleveland Browns Stadium / © Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

Should the Browns considering trading Greg Newsome?

Consider it? Sure. Any good GM is going to keep an open mind on all options during the offseason. That said, the Browns need to be careful not to create another hole or need, which is why I'm more inclined to say they should keep him.

I understand there are fans frustrated with Newsome's performance in the wild card game against Houston and in a few other games from 2023 and ultimately he may be better suited as an outside corner than a slot guy. Given how much nickle defense the Browns play though, Newsome's role is critical.

Unless they know they have an obvious replacement rostered, I'm not sure it makes sense to move a valuable secondary piece and someone who had a positive influence on the locker room last season. Maybe they do and if that's the case then I'd understand moving Newsome, who will play 2024 on the fifth-year option of his rookie contract.

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Why didn't the Browns try to acquire Justin Fields if the price was only a sixth round pick?

With the context of the new information that was reported on Sunday, I think we may have our answer to that. Apparently four other teams inquired about Fields but the former Buckeyes' representation wanted Pittsburgh. It's a commendable move by the Bears to do right by Fields.

Important note on the Justin Fields trade: At least four additional teams inquired about trading for Fields, but Fields’ representation asked for him not to be traded there. He wanted the #Steelers, and the #Bears did right by him. https://t.co/jE65yV0jzm

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 17, 2024

The fact that all it took to land him was a sixth-round pick next year that can become a fourth is pretty interesting though. Speaks to the fact that there wasn't really much of a market for Fields. For what its worth, Fields shares and agent with Watson too, so it's fair to reason if Cleveland was one of the four teams they didn't want two of their clients competing with each other or one not having a chance to start.