It’s only mid-October and the Browns have played but five games. And the 2017 NFL Draft is still about 6½ months away.
But when you’re 0-5 and going nowhere fast, you start looking at your team and wondering what areas will have to be addressed in the draft.
That’s where the Browns are at right now as they get set to face the Tennessee Titans on Sunday at Nissan Stadium.
One need is obvious. The Browns need a quarterback in the worst way.
Still.
Indeed, with their first pick, which may end up being the first overall in the draft, they would be hard-pressed to take something other than a quarterback. Until the Browns find their franchise guy, nothing is going to change entirely. It will change only to a certain extent. It’s like overhauling a car engine and not changing out the spark plugs. The car will run better, but still not very good.
The next area of concern is the offensive line. The Browns need at least two more good players there, perhaps even three.
This line just isn’t that good, despite what you may hear in some corners. If it were, then the Browns quarterbacks wouldn’t be dropping like flies.
Guard Joel Bitonio can’t stay healthy. He’s a decent talent, but any player’s best ability is his availability and, after missing the final six games last season due to an injury, he will miss the final 11 this season for the same reason.
Yes, the Browns could use another prime-time threat at wide receiver, a cornerback and another pass-rushing linebacker, but their top priorities have to be getting a quarterback and offensive linemen, in that order.
