Tag: Cleveland Browns

Report: Acquiring Trent Williams is ‘still on the table’ for Cleveland Browns

Cleveland has been interested in trading for Williams, and the pressure of needing to leave the draft with an LT might make it happen.

Multiple teams are still interested in trading for Washington Redskins left tackle Trent Williams, and a draft-day deal is not out of the question at this point.

Of course, this is not groundbreaking news. At least half of the NFL should be interested in trading for Williams, but much like the trade interest Washington has received in the No. 2 overall pick, nothing really matters unless a certain team is willing to give the Redskins what they want in return.

The Redskins want a second-round pick for Williams, and nobody is seemingly willing to give that up for him. There are rumors that Washington would accept a package of mid-round picks, or maybe a pick-and-player deal, but no real offers have been announced as of yet. However, should a team miss out on the player they want in the draft, it could lead them to get desperate and call the Redskins.

One team to keep an eye on is the Browns, who have the No. 10 pick in the draft on Thursday. Everyone expects them to draft a left tackle, likely Mekhi Becton out of Louisville, but should they miss on him? They might be inclined to pick up the phone. The Minnesota Vikings are also another team to keep an eye on, as they’ve been connected to Trent for the past month or so.

When the clock starts ticking and everyone gets desperate, that’s the time to deal Williams. Before then, teams likely won’t be willing to pay the high price tag for him. But after? Anything can happen.

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4 NFL trade candidates the Saints should avoid or pursue

NFL trade talks are heating up before the 2020 draft, and the New Orleans Saints should be in on some players. But they should avoid others.

The 2020 NFL Draft is less than a week away, and trade talks are expected to heat up as the event inches closer to kickoff. While most conversations will center on swapping draft picks, veteran players on the outs with their old teams will also be on the trading block.

That presents opportunities for other teams to improve. The New Orleans Saints should obviously be involved with some of those negotiations, maybe as sellers — one outlet recently floated the idea of trading away underperforming right guard Larry Warford — but there are other situations the Saints would be wise to stay out of.

Here are four NFL trade candidates to consider:

Leonard Fournette, Jacksonville Jaguars

On paper, the Saints making a trade for Fournette would do a lot to get fans excited. He’s a hometown hero born and raised in New Orleans, who starred in high school and set the college football world on fire at LSU. He’s obviously been a victim of circumstances with the Jaguars, too; Jacksonville had one of the worst run-blocking offensive lines last year per Football Outsiders. Of his 4.3 rushing yards gained per carry in 2019, a whopping 3.0 came after contact per Pro Football Reference. New Orleans boasts one of the NFL’s best run-blocking offensive lines, which would give Fournette much more to work with than he ever saw in Jacksonville.

But the cost isn’t worth it. Fournette would not start over Alvin Kamara this season, they are both free agents next year. He caught a career-high 76 passes last year, which trails the 81 passes Kamara has reeled in during each of his first three seasons. The Saints wouldn’t be buying any time or hoping to smoothly transition from Kamara to Fournette as their top running back.

As far as that goes, his efficiency as-is projects so similarly to backup Latavius Murray (who broke just six fewer tackles on 119 fewer carries) that you could make the argument Fournette might be a downgrade. Their contract situations should also discourage New Orleans from taking a swing here — Murray has three years remaining on his deal, whereas both Fournette and Kamara will be free agents in 2021.

One long-shot gamble that might make sense is swapping a late-round pick now for Fournette, then giving him ample opportunities to shine in a better situation before letting him leave in free agency. If Fournette really impresses and can command Le’Veon Bell-esque money on the open market, the Saints might be able to flip a current-year pick for a higher selection as a compensatory pick in 2022. But is that really a gamble worth making?

The verdict: Saints should stay away from Fournette

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2020 NFL Draft: Cleveland Browns team preview

Cleveland Browns 2020 NFL Draft preview

Everything Cleveland Browns fans need to know heading into the 2020 NFL draft.

Vitals

Head Coach: Kevin Stefanski

General Manager: Andrew Berry

2019 record: 6-10

2020 draft picks

1 (10)

2 (41)

3 (74)

3 (97)

4 (115)

6 (187)

7 (244)

Team Needs

Offensive Tackle

Despite the signing of offensive tackle Jack Conklin, the Browns still desperately need help along the offensive line. They should have their pick of two of the three top tackles in the first round and you have to assume this is the direction they will go. In fact, the Browns might draft multiple offensive linemen to hedge their bets.

Safety

The Browns are pretty shorthanded at safety and did nothing to truly address it in free agency. So don’t be shocked if they use a day two pick on one of the more athletic guys in what is turning out to be a very deep safety group.

Linebacker

The loss of Joe Schobert left a big hole in the middle of the Browns defense and the absence of his production will be missed. There are several middle round prospects who have been highly productive college players despite not having overwhelming athletic traits who could fill a similar role with the Browns.

Top Targets

Tristin Wirfs | OT | Iowa

Mekhi Becton | OT | Louisville

Grant Delpit | S | LSU

Antoine Winfield, Jr. | S | Minnesota

Logan Wilson | LB | Wyoming

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2020 NFL MVP Odds: Is Nick Chubb worth a bet?

Analyzing the betting odds to be named the NFL’s 2020 MVP, with a look at whether Nick Chubb is worthy of a bet this season.

Do you think Cleveland Browns RB Nick Chubb has a shot at winning the 2020 NFL MVP?

Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson took home the goods as the 2019 NFL MVP, a player Chubb and the Browns play two times every season in the grind of the AFC North Division. Chubb and the Browns failed to live up to lofty preseason odds a year ago, floundering in another sub-.500, non-playoff season after entering with plenty of fanfare after significant offseason additions. Now the Browns find themselves with yet another new coach, another new general manager, etc. …

Let’s examine Chubb’s MVP chances, the BetMGM NFL futures odds around it happening and whether or not Chubb is worth a bet.

Recent NFL MVP winners

Jackson was impressive in rolling to the MVP award in 2019, following Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, the 2018 winner. In fact, quarterbacks have had a monopoly on the award recently, taking the trophy in seven straight seasons, and 12 of the past 13. The good news for Chubb and others at his position, running back was the last position other than quarterback to be named MVP when RB Adrian Peterson, then of the Minnesota Vikings, won in 2012. Running backs also won in consecutive seasons with Shaun Alexander (2005) and LaDainian Tomlinson (2006).

Nick Chubb’s 2020 NFL MVP odds

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday, March 27 at 11:15 p.m. ET.

Chubb (+8000) is tied with Oakland Raiders RB Josh Jacobs for the sixth-best odds on the board among running backs, but that’s still a rather hefty long shot. Add in the fact that RB Kareem Hunt, a former MVP candidate, is also in the Browns backfield, and Chubb should see his touches curtailed somewhat. That won’t help Chubb’s chances to really explode and post 2,000 total scrimmage yards, which seems to be the minimum requirements for MVP consideration.

Looking to place a bet on the 2020 NFL MVP? Place your legal sports wagers online at BetMGM. Bet now!

Nick Chubb’s stats

Chubb completed his second NFL season in 2019 with 1,494 rushing yards (5.0 yards per attempt) and eight rushing scores with 36 grabs for 278 yards and no scores. He did lose three fumbles total after failing to put the ball on the ground in his rookie campaign of 2018. Chubb is very consistent, and he could take another step forward in 2020. But again, Hunt will not be suspended for eight games like last season, and the Browns have a lot of mouths to feed among the skill positions, so a huge jump in production for Chub seems unlikely.

Is Nick Chubb worth a 2020 NFL MVP bet?

Again, Hunt’s presence for a full season of games means Chubb won’t be the workhorse. He could potentially see a bump in average yards per carry, but expect a decrease in overall production as they give him more breathers. Add in the fact a quarterback has won this award seven seasons in a row, and the Browns should pass quite frequently with QB Baker Mayfield, WRs Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry, as well as newly acquired TE Austin Hooper, and it’s fair to project Chubb with about 1,500 rushing yards and 300 receiving yards, or close to his 2019 numbers. Is that MVP-worthy? Not even close.

Want action on the 2020 NFL MVP award? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter, and follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter and Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Baker Mayfield sold fifth most NFL player-identified merchandise in 2019-20

Baker Mayfield was a content machine at Oklahoma and that has since translated to the NFL. He is fifth on the NFLPA’s player sales list.

Baker Mayfield was a content machine at Oklahoma and that has since translated to the NFL.

The former Sooners quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner was a part of a team with extraordinarily high expectations in 2019. The Cleveland Browns brought in Odell Beckham Jr. to pair up with Jarvis Landry for Mayfield.

Despite the season going completely the opposite way of those expectations, Mayfield and the Browns’ hype delivered in revenue sales as the former Oklahoma quarterback brought in the fifth-most sales among licensed NFL player-identified merchandise for the NFL calendar year from March 2019 to Feb. 29, 2020.

Cleveland ultimately decided to restart again by firing general manager John Dorsey and head coach Freddie Kitchens after the season. Mayfield had the worst year of his college or NFL career in 2019, throwing 21 interceptions to 22 touchdowns and a completion percentage under 60 percent.

The Browns have maintained their roster over the offseason to go with a brand new coaching staff in hopes they finally have the formula right this time.

Mayfield, Beckham Jr. and the rest of the extremely talented Cleveland roster will be propped up or brought down all offseason once again, which should churn out advertisement and sales for the two marketable players by the end of this NFL calendar year.

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Leaguewide uniform changes should spur Saints to wear ‘Color Rush’ full-time

The New Orleans Saints should follow the lead from other NFL teams by promoting their gold-on-white “Color Rush” alternate uniforms.

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The NFL’s “Color Rush” initiative to drive interest in its lackluster Thursday night games may have fizzled out a couple of years ago, but the New Orleans Saints were one team that benefited from it in a big way. They picked up one of the league’s greatest alternate uniforms with a super-clean gold-on-white look that contrasts beautifully with the black-and-gold home jerseys.

Unfortunately, the NFL only allows its teams to wear alternates three times per season; the Saints found out the hard way when they petitioned the league office for permission to wear their “Color Rush” uniforms in last year’s playoff game with the Minnesota Vikings, but were denied. The Saints won all three of their “Color Rush” games in 2019 but lost that game; obviously it would’ve made a difference.

However, things could change. The Cleveland Browns paved the way last season when they promoted their own “Color Rush” alternates to primary status, wearing the fan-favorite uniforms in six games. While the Browns followed that up by announcing an altogether new kit in 2020, it’s still an approach the Saints could take given their popularity.

Uniform changes are all the rage in the NFL right now. The NFC South-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons each joined the Browns in announcing new jerseys this offseason, and the New England Patriots will reveal their own updated look next Monday.

While the Saints have a great thing going in their black home look and white road duds, there’s no comparison between the standard away gear and the “Color Rush” upgrades. Here’s hoping they can work something out.

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Here’s why we should have known Johnny Manziel was gonna be an NFL bust

Johnny Manziel (aka Johnny Football) became one of the biggest flameouts ever. Let’s look back at a coupe of the past comments regarding his NFL potential.

Yes, it’s that time of year when NFL fans, analysts and experts get excited about NFL Draft prospects, especially “potential” franchise quarterbacks.

But, man, have a lot of people been wrong.

Johnny Football is one of the biggest flameouts ever. He was drafted late in the first round of the 2014 Draft so it wasn’t a huge gamble by the Browns.

Still, many people had high hopes. Others didn’t.

Let’s look back at a couple of the past comments regarding his NFL potential.

And obviously, his off-the-field behavior should have sent up huge red flags, but we’re talking just about his game-day plays and how that should also give NFL GMs and scouts cause to pause and think about a college QB’s NFL future.

The most telling observation came fronm college football analyst and former NFL quarterback Gary Danielson when he compared Manziel to another Heisman winner, Ty Detmer. (Granted, Detmer was drafted in the ninth round; Manziel in the first, but still)

Uh-oh.

That should have been a strong heads-up as to how Manziel’s QB style was going to play out in the NFL. And he and Detmer did do similarly great things but so did Adam Morrison and Jimmer Fredette during their college basketball careers — to make a dual-comparison — and everyone knows how their NBA stints turned out.

Anyhow, Mel Kiper, who was initially onboard the Manziel-hype train, jumped off early but Skip Bayless stayed strongly opinionated full-steam ahead.

Finally, this is a reminder to all fans, not just Browns fans (but seriously, be worried about Baker Mayfield’s regression last season), that sometimes Draft Night joy just doesn’t work out for your team down the road — particularly when it comes to quarterbacks.

The Browns continue to do their best work in the offseason… which isn’t ideal

The Browns impressed everyone on Wednesday.

I need to be honest with you before I get into this – I’ve never been a NFL coach (head, assistant, etc), or a NFL GM, or a NFL scout and definitely not a NFL team owner.

So take what I say with a grain of whatever you want to take, but I think the best time for a NFL team to peak is in the regular season when games are being played and championships are being won.

Not the offseason when everyone is waiting around for football to come back into our lives.

But that’s apparently not how the Cleveland Browns do things because for the second straight year the Browns have done their best work when football is still very far away from us.

Last year they won the offseason championship when they traded for Odell Beckham Jr. and everyone, including the NFL, which scheduled the Browns for what felt like 900 nationally televised games, thought they would be contenders in 2019.

Newsflash – they weren’t contenders. At all. Baker Mayfield was awful and the Browns finished how they normally finish a season – well under .500 at 6–10.

On Wednesday the Browns continued their offseason dominance when they showed off their new uniforms and then sat back as everyone on Twitter sang their praises.

Yup, NFL fans were actually impressed by the Browns, which can only mean one thing – it’s not the fall.

The Browns’ new uniforms deserve all the compliments that they’re getting because far too often teams go the other way and make terrible changes. I’m looking at you, Falcons.

But come the fall (if there even is football, which is sad to even type) the Baker and the Browns will need to start impressing people when it starts are things could get even uglier for a franchise that has been awful for so darn long.

But hey, at least for one day in the offseason they were celebrated by everybody.

Gotta take your wins when you get ’em, I guess.

Wednesday’s biggest winner: The Nationals, who roasted the Astros.

(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Remember when baseball was still a thing and everybody was crushing the Houston Astros for cheating? Yeah, those were good times. Well the Nationals brought that back as they watched a replay of Game 7 of the 2019 World Series and had fun roasting the Astros in the process. Ah, some normality back in our lives. Feels great!

Quick hits: Deep dive on Tua… Latest NFL mock draft… Sports fans get hilariously specific… And more!

(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

– Steven Ruiz does a great deep dive into Tua Tagovailoa and what type of NFL career he can have.

– Our Henry McKenna has his latest NFL mock draft… check out where Tua could go.

– Fans on Twitter shared some hilariously specific things they miss the most about sports.

– Mets pitcher Marcus Stroman says NASCAR driver Kyle Larson “needs his [expletive] beat.”

– The WWE released Kurt Angle and more than a dozen other stars on Wednesday. Boo Vince McMahon. Boo.

Mike Trout thinks MLB’s idea to play isolated baseball in Arizona is “pretty crazy.”

– A “disgusted” Mel Kiper defended the Bengals in a very passionate rant.

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Joe Schobert explains why he signed with Jags

Money aside, Joe Schobert says he very intrigued by joining the Jags as he saw how talented Myles Jack could be if moved back to OLB.

The Jacksonville Jaguars went into free agency with many holes but one they won’t have to worry about heading into the draft is at MIKE linebacker after signing Joe Schobert. The position was one the team tried to place on the shoulders of Myles Jack, but unfortunately, it just wasn’t something that was natural to him like playing on the outside.

Like many fans and the coaching staff realized, Schobert understood what the Jags could have if Jack was paired with another stud like himself, which he says drew him in on “The Pat McAfee Show.” He also liked the aspect of being a guy who could change their locker room culture by being himself, something he learned during his time in Cleveland from players like Joe Thomas and Christian Kirksey.

“It came down to a couple of teams,” Schobert said. “Coach [Doug] Marrone and GM Dave Caldwell wanted me to join the team. They preached a message to me about bringing in good football guys, good character guys, to set a right way in the locker room — leading and speaking. [Also] for me especially to get to play with a guy like Myles Jack another linebacker. Be the MIKE linebacker, take over the defense, do the things I do well, setting the defense, diagnosing plays, calling things for other people to get set and letting Myles go play football and be the animal he is.”

This is a lot of what many had suspected. In a nutshell, the Jags’ front office needed a Paul Posluszny-like figure on the field and in the locker room, something the Jags have long missed.

After Posluszny retired (in early 2018), several reports surfaced of personalities clashing in the locker room and a rift between Tom Coughlin had with certain players. On the field, they lacked a field general defensively and the responsibility fell on Jack’s shoulders, who is still a very young player learning the ropes.

Schobert is a player that has seen a lot of things (49 career starts) and played against a lot of playoff-caliber teams in the AFC North like the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens. Sure, the Jags may not be as talented around him as many would hope but acquiring him is a good start to the offseason because he could prove to be the gel that holds everything together.