Browns take Jedrick Wills Jr

Browns take Jedrick WillsCOLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 14: Jedrick Wills Jr. #74 of the Alabama Crimson Tide watches on during their game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium on September 14, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Posted By: County Sports Network April 23, 2020

Browns take Jedrick Wills Jr – Another common sense move

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By STEVE KING

The Browns’ selection of Alabama offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. in the first round of the NFL Draft, at No. 10 overall, on Thursday night was pre-ordained.

It fit in with the new normal for the Browns. You could see it coming from miles away.

Indeed, ever since last season ended, the Browns have done what they have not done nearly enough of in this nightmarish expansion era — that is, the simple, common-sense thing.

First, following a horribly disappointing 6-10 finish after being predicted to win between 10 to 12 games, they fired the head coach who was way in over his head, especially with his failure to instill any kind of discipline, Freddie Kitchens, and the reckless general manager who foolishly hired him, John Dorsey.

Then they did the simple, common-sense thing by replacing them with Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager Andrew Berry and head coach Kevin Stefanski, who were immediately on the same page in being two young, smart, understated, analytics-driven, Harvard-educated guys. Berry had previously worked with the Browns and owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam hated the fact Dorsey had fired him. And they also hated the fact that Dorsey went ahead and hired Kitchens when everybody else in management wanted Stefanski. The Haslams feel truly blessed – and rightfully so – that the Browns are getting a second chance with both men.

In their first major order of business, Berry, with Stefanski’s full agreement, went out and did the simple, common-sense thing by filling three of the Browns’ biggest needs with the best players available on the market in tight end Austin Hooper, right tackle Jack Conklin and veteran backup quarterback Case Keenum.

Then in the draft, the Browns, whose last major need was a left tackle to protect the man who will hopefully prove to be their franchise quarterback Baker Mayfield, once again did the common-sense thing by selecting the best man left on the board in Wills.

No thinking out of the box.

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No doing something outlandish to try to prove that they were the smartest guys in the room because they knew something that no one else did.

No making the sexy pick of a skill-position player on offense when a more practical one was needed. Left tackles are meat-and-potatoes guys.

No, no, no.

But how many times have the Browns done exactly that since 1999, making you – all of you – scratch your head in wonder and say, “What in the name of dysfunction was that?”

It was clear early-on last season, when Mayfield began running for his life from pass-rushers coming in from that side like it was a jail-break, that they desperately needed a left tackle.

So, they went into the offseason looking for such. And when they didn’t get one in free agency – which was a blessing since there were no good ones available – it was the No. 1 priority heading into the draft and, with their first chance – their best chance – they got a top-rated guy.

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Good. No, great.

Will this, or any of the other decisions the Browns have made since the end of last season, work out? Who knows? Nobody knows. That will be determined later on.

But in the meantime, that they took the simple and common-sense approach to everything they’ve done these last four months, including with the drafting of Jedrick Wills, the Browns are already way ahead of where they’re usually at, at this point of the offseason.

And that is so refreshing.

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