Ranking Browns roster needs ahead of free agency and the draft: Dan Labbe

Cleveland Browns introduce Andrew Berry as new general manager

New Cleveland Browns General Manager Andrew Berry speaks to the media at a press conference in Berea. cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Now that the Browns have a head coach and general manager in place, as well as a clear vision of how they want to operate, let’s talk about that roster.

The Browns, by most accounts, have a solid core of players. As Jimmy Haslam said recently, this isn’t a rebuilding year. However, the Browns are not without areas of need. As free agency (March 18) and the NFL Draft (April 23-25) approach, Andrew Berry, Kevin Stefanski and Co. will have plenty of roster decisions to make.

Yesterday, Scott Patsko offered his 10 biggest needs. Now it’s my turn:

10. A boost in the return game

Cleveland Browns vs. Seattle Seahawks, October 13, 2019

Dontrell Hilliard broke off this big return against Seattle, but the return game was lacking for much of the season. (Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com)cleveland.com

Dontrell Hilliard returned the opening kickoff against Seattle for 74 yards, but the Browns didn’t get much out of their return game this season. Teams are getting smarter on kickoffs and gambling on returns getting stopped inside the 25-yard line, but the flipside is more return opportunities.

Meanwhile, in the punt return game, Jarvis Landry gave the team reliable hands but the Browns could use a real threat in the return game, whether it’s running it back with Hilliard or finding someone new.

9. Fullback

Johnny Stanton practices with the Vikings in 2018

Johnny Stanton practices with the Vikings in 2018. (AP Photo, Jim Mone)AP

Kevin Stefanski’s offense uses a fullback and old-school Browns fans will love seeing a return to the position. The Browns were never able to identify someone after Orson Charles was sent packing. It went so far as Seth DeValve getting real reps as an H-back in the preseason.

Johnny Stanton is in the mix and expect one or two more on the 90-man roster before all is said and done.

8. At least one tight end

Cleveland Browns tight end Demetrius Harris catches a pass

Demetrius Harris had an up-and-down season in his first year with the Browns. (Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com)cleveland.com

The Browns had mostly unreliable play from their tight ends in 2019, especially as pass-catchers. Stefanski’s offense in Minnesota featured plenty of heavy personnel and Baker Mayfield has consistently been better with bigger bodies on the field. David Njoku is a question mark going into his fourth season and it says something about a team’s tight end room when they really missed Darren Fells -- he scored seven touchdowns for the Texans this season.

7. Backup quarterback

Cleveland Browns quarterback Garrett Gilbert throws

Garrett Gilbert was the Browns' backup quarterback in 2019. (Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com)cleveland.com

I was the first person last year yelling about how backup quarterback was overrated -- this team is going as far as Baker Mayfield can take it. I still feel like the position can be a little overrated, but if there’s a veteran to be added to the room alongside Mayfield and Garrett Gilbert, it wouldn’t hurt -- not to compete with Mayfield, but to push him a little.

6. Insider corner

Day 14 of Cleveland Browns' training camp, August 12, 2019

T.J. Carrie has played a lot of nickel for the Browns, but he's not cheap. (John Kuntz, cleveland.com)cleveland.com

T.J. Carrie’s future could be up in the air and Eric Murray was brought in by the previous regime to play nickel. It’s an important position in today’s game. Even if this new group likes Carrie and Murray, they need bodies to throw there in camp and compete.

5. Strong safety

Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, November 14, 2019

Morgan Burnett was lost for the season against Pittsburgh, a night where he played one of his best games. (Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com)cleveland.com

This position appeared in good hands for a stretch last season, especially once Jermaine Whitehead found his footing as the extra safety and provided the defense with a physical presence to complement the strong safety. Now, Whitehead is gone and veteran Morgan Burnett is coming off a torn Achilles. Sheldrick Redwine, a draft pick from a season ago, could get an opportunity, but this is a position of need.

4. Free safety

Cleveland Browns vs. Cincinnati Bengals, December 29, 2019

Damarious Randall (R) is headed for free agency this offseason. (John Kuntz, cleveland.com)cleveland.com

Damarious Randall was a candidate for a new contract before last season. Now he’s likely headed to free agency after a season in which he dealt with some injuries and was left home for the Pittsburgh game. This is a new staff and regime, which could be good and bad for him: Good because whatever happened last season is erased; bad because they didn’t trade for him.

If it’s not Randall, someone else will need to be found to man the deep end of the defense.

3. Depth at receiver

Rashard Higgins

Rashard Higgins wants to prove 2019 was an aberration. (John Kuntz, cleveland.com)cleveland.com

If Kareem Hunt is back, I consider him the third receiver. After him, Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry, it’s thin. Rashard Higgins could get new life with a GM who was part of drafting him, but we don’t know if he can duplicate his 2018 season. Players like Damion Ratley, KhaDarel Hodge and Taywan Taylor could compete for spots. D.J. Montgomery and Derrick Willies are working back from injury.

Some solid answers behind the main receiving group would be good.

2. More edge rushers

Cleveland Browns vs. San Francisco 49ers, October 7, 2019

Olivier Vernon is due a lot of money in 2020. (John Kuntz, cleveland.com)cleveland.com

Regardless of what this new regime does with Olivier Vernon, this team needs more edge rushers. If Vernon is gone, they need a real option on the other side of Myles Garrett. Even if Vernon is back, they need depth behind them.

1. Two long-term answers at offensive tackle

Day 18 of Cleveland Browns' training camp, August 20, 2019

Greg Robinson (L) and Chris Hubbard. (John Kuntz, cleveland.com)cleveland.com

The failure to re-sign Mitchell Schwartz in 2016 and the retirement of Joe Thomas after 2017 have dealt blows to the Browns offensive line they still haven’t recovered from. There’s no longterm answer -- or even immediate answer -- on the roster at left tackle and Chris Hubbard has been inconsistent on the right side.

Fix the tackles and right guard becomes a little less important with JC Tretter and Joel Bitonio already in the fold at center and left guard. The ends of the offensive line are likely the top priority.

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