4 Burning Browns Questions, Including If They'll Pursue DT Christian Wilkins?

As the NFL Combine comes to a close the Browns now pivot their attention toward free agency which is set to open on March 13. With plenty of chatter from Indianapolis to share, it's time to answer four burning Browns questions.

With the NFL Combine in the rearview mirror the offseason will start to pick up with the new league year just nine days away. There was plenty of scuttlebutt in Indianapolis last week surrounding the Browns and the NFL as a whole. Let's answer this week's four burning questions.

What were the biggest takeaways from what Andrew Berry and Kevin Stefanski said at the NFL Combine?

First and foremost, I wouldn't necessarily expect a "splash" move everyone may be hoping for. Berry made it pretty clear they won't just go big game hunting because of how the season ended. He even cited 2020 – when Cleveland also made the playoffs under this current regime – and how they stayed aggressive in free agency looking to build a better defense. This time around that that won't necessarily be the case, which has a lot to do with how they feel about the roster overall.

For what it's worth, 18 of 22 starters from last season are under contract for next season. So it's understandable why Berry doesn't necessarily feel he needs to make any drastic alterations.

Another big thing I couldn't stop hearing about is that an 18th game is inevitable. Berry mentioned it in his enlightening spiel about his proposal to move the trade deadline back a couple weeks, which was telling enough. But everyone is anticipating the regular season expanding by another game sooner rather than later. Even though the current CBA prohibits adding another game it will likely become a quid pro quo negotiation, where the players get something in return for the owners getting their precious 18th game.

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Are we any closer to knowing who will call plays for the Browns in 2024?

No, Stefanski remained mum on the subject frankly it may still be a while. I was reminded that in his first season with the franchise Stefanski didn't name himself the play-caller until the end of training camp. I don't know if he waits quite that long this time, but I wouldn't be surprised if we don't get a decision until this summer.

One thing that does seem apparent though is that Stefanski wants to blend he and Dorsey's philosophies. He used the word "explosive" in talking about Dorsey's offense in Buffalo and continued to emphasize that they both want to build an offense that plays through the strength of their players. We'll start to get a sense of what that all looks like later this spring.

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Could the Browns pursue Christian Wilkins if he becomes a free agent in the coming weeks?

The news of Wilkins likely avoiding the franchise tag from Miami and preparing to become a free agent popped up over the weekend. There are certainly reasons to link him to Cleveland. He and Deshaun Watson played together at Clemson and share an agent. Some of the Browns biggest needs this offseason are along the defensive line.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler had the initial report though and noted that the Browns are expected to "make a splash" this offseason, which – as I noted above – actually seems less likely. It's a need, but Cleveland did invest in a frontline defensive tackle last offseason with Dalvin Tomlinson and needs to prioritize depth and the edge more in my opinion. 

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What should fans anticipate in terms of the Browns adding more talent at wide receiver this offseason?

At this point I feel comfortable saying Cleveland will add at least one wide receiver this offseason. The problem for fans may be more so how they'll add one.

I know everyone's got their sights set on Calvin Ridley or Gabe Davis and other big name free agents set to hit the open market in a little over a week. Mike Evans is off the board as of this morning after re-upping with Tampa Bay. It just doesn't sound like the Browns are going to be super active dolling out the big contracts required to land those names. Wide receiver contracts only get bigger every year.

Berry could always swing a trade for a wideout like he did with Amari Cooper and Elijah Moore. I would almost guarantee that he drafts one. This WR class is so deep, Cleveland could definitely hit on a guy outside of the first round. Now whether or not you trust the Browns to develop a receiver is another question.