When you look at the list of Browns veterans, it’s scary and daunting.
There’s just not a lot there.
As such, you can see why the team went out and drafted about as many players as is possible. The Browns needed a major influx of young talent, and they think they got it.
But those rookies have no proven NFL resumes yet. They will soon, but right now, they’re all just big question marks.
So with the Browns practicing for about three more weeks in their organized team activities and then the full-squad mandatory minicamp before they take a break to get ready for the beginning of training camp in late July, it’s time to rate the club’s top 10 veterans:
- LEFT TACKLE JOE THOMAS – With nine Pro Bowl trips in as many seasons in the NFL and still playing at a high level, he’s headed to Canton someday as the Browns’ 17th member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But with the Browns unloading veterans, there’s no guarantee that even this star will still be with them when they play the Philadelphia Eagles in the regular-season opener.
2. CORNERBACK JOE HADEN – When he’s healthy, he’s one of the best cover corners in the league. But he’s got to get healthy, and stay there. His inability to do so recently is troubling to say the least.
3. TIGHT END GARY BARNIDGE – When he came to the Browns as a free agent in 2013, he was looked upon as being a solid blocker. Who knew that he would turn into a fine receiver as well?
4. GUARD JOEL BITONIO – One of the top young players at his position in the NFL, he will be expected to step up his game in light of the offseason departures of Alex Mack and Mitchell Schwartz.
5. OUTSIDE LINEBACKER PAUL KRUGER – Look for him to have a big year in new defensive coordinator Ray Horton’s scheme.
6. RUNNING BACK ISAIAH CROWELL – “The Crow” runs with power, passion and a purpose, and with the Browns expected to place a much greater emphasis on the ground game this season, he should have a significant impact.
7. QUARTERBACK ROBERT GRIFFIN III – Now the most high-profile player on the Browns, he did it once as a rookie with the Washington Redskins in 2012 and I’m betting on head coach Hue Jackson being able to induce a good deal of that type of play out of him again. And if that happens, then he will soar his way up this list.
8. QUARTERBACK JOSH McCOWN – A wonderful guy in the locker room, he put up some good numbers last year although he hardly ever made a big play. He won’t be around with the Browns much longer because of the presence of RG3 and rookie Cody Kessler. He’s an appealing player for a team that needs a good backup quarterback.
9. DEFENSIVE LINEMAN DESMOND BRYANT – He’s a player on the defensive front the Browns can count on.
10. LINEBACKER CHRIS KIRKSEY – Here’s another linebacker who should shine under Horton.
