Why you should be taking the Cleveland Browns seriously

After only winning one game in the past two seasons, the Browns are on a mission to change that.  They have 5 picks in the first 3 rounds of the draft, including the first and fourth overall picks.  These picks set them up to get some players who can make and immediate impact.  Before the start of free agency the Browns also made some trades to acquire some proven players.  Lets take a look at the three impressive trades they have made in the past week.

Traded a 4th (2018) and a 7th (2019) for Jarvis Landry.  

This makes so much sense for the Browns who are looking to develop a young QB from the draft.  Their receiving corps now include; Jarvis Landry, Josh Gordon, and Corey Coleman.  Those 3 guys alone can help a QB find success in the NFL.  Also the Browns didn’t give up much to get what I think is a first round talent in Landry.  On the Dolphins, Landry has been nothing less than a pro bowl receiver these past few years.

Traded a 3rd (2018) for Tyrod Taylor.  

Another smart move for the Browns front office.  Grabbing a starting caliber QB in the NFL for just a third round pick is the best it can get for the Browns.  Why does this make so much sense?  Well the Browns (hopefully) are looking to draft a QB, and develop him into their franchise guy.  Getting Taylor lets the young guy learn from a veteran, and gives him time to develop as a backup.

Traded QB DeShone Kizer for CB Damarious Randall.  

After this move it became clear the Browns are all in on getting a QB in the draft.  Giving up on Kizer, who honestly wasn’t that bad, and grabbing a starting corner in the NFL is what they needed to do.  After moving on from Joe Haden last year, they needed more depth at corner.

These three moves should put the Browns on everybody’s radar.  All I can hope is they take Saquon Barkley with the #1 pick.  Barkley is clearly the best player in the draft and can make an immediate impact on the Browns offense.  After that they can either take a QB with the 4th pick or wait until later in the draft.  Either way I’m giving the Browns a real shot to have a winning record next season.

~ Jon Tetreault ( @jtetreault13 )