CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Flexibility is a general manager’s dream.
Andrew Berry will enjoy it this week during the 2021 NFL Draft.
“I think we have a lot of flexibility going into Thursday night,” Berry said.
Coming off their most successful season in 26 years, Berry and the Browns are poised to contend for the franchise’s first Super Bowl this fall thanks to a roster stacked with elite talent on both sides of the ball.
For once the Browns don’t go into a draft with a gaping hole on the roster.
They don’t need a franchise savior either.
The core positions are spoken for.
Franchise quarterback? Baker Mayfield, check. Elite receiver? Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry, check and check. Dynamic running back? They have two of those too – Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, check and check. Elite pass rusher? Myles Garrett, and they added Jadeveon Clowney this offseason, so check and check. Elite corner? Denzel Ward, check. Versatile safety? John Johnson III, check.
With nine picks in his pocket and sitting at No. 26 in Round 1 Thursday night, Berry can let the board fall to him, or he can get aggressive and move up, or pick up picks for next year too by moving down.
“I like where we are picking, and not just at 26 but at 59, 89, 91, 110 and so forth,” Berry said. “There are plenty of opportunities where we can add young players who can grow with us over the next several years.
“I think the positioning in this draft allows us to be very flexible, whether that is moving up, down or sitting and picking. Largely, that will be dictated by how the board falls ahead of us.”
Berry joked how unpopular it would be for him to move out of the first round Thursday night, but he also explained how he would approach the decision-making process for such a move.
“Largely, if you are considering moving back, No. 1 it depends what is on the board and ultimately, what you think is going to be available to you, depending on how far you move back,” Berry said. “The second piece is what else you are receiving in terms of trade compensation for moving out of your original draft slot. It is a combination of all those items.”
With multiple third and fourth round selections, Berry can package picks to move up easily. The Browns no longer need to pack the roster with rookies so making all nine picks isn't necessary.
Berry describes himself as aggressive, being in win-now mode calls for aggression.
So where do berry's priorities lie this week?
Good teams build quality depth on both sides of the ball to protect against unforeseen circumstances such as injuries and if the Browns have a specific need this week, it's just that – depth.
The prevailing thought is with the offense returning in its entirety, Berry will focus heavily on the defensive side of the ball where he has signed six free agents but also has long-term needs to fill there because of short-term commitments, especially on the defensive line following the release of Sheldon Richardson.
“We feel good about the guys who we currently have the roster with Andrew Billings and Malik Jackson and obviously Jordan Elliott going into his second year,” Berry said. “Like all positions across the draft, there are a number of good, young prospects who are going to come into the league.”
As NFL GMs tend to do, Berry is keeping his intentions this weekend to himself.
How does the linebacker, corner, or receiver class look? The answer from Berry is always the same.
“I think there are good players across all positions in this class,” Berry said. “I think it is a good draft class. Quite honestly, I think there are good players who come into the league every year from the amateur ranks.”
