The Opening Drive 3/31: Jimmy Haslam's Tone Shift and Founder's Channel Mock Drafts
Jimmy Haslam had plenty to say in Phoenix. Here’s What You Need to Know.
The Browns owner hit the annual NFL owners’ meetings in Phoenix on Monday, and he came with answers — or at least, his version of them. Deshaun Watson, Myles Garrett, the new stadium were the primary subjects.
A year ago, Haslam stood at a podium and called the Deshaun Watson trade a “big swing and a miss.” It was the most candid thing he’d said in years. Browns fans exhaled. It was supposed to mean the mistake the league recognized might finally happen for the only team unwilling to budge from their stance. That Browns internal epiphany felt like it finally took place. Monday, he walked it back the harsh tone, but it comes down to whether you believe the sentiment or not.
Haslam told reporters in Phoenix that Watson has a “great chance” at a fresh start under new offensive-minded head coach Todd Monken — a coach, Haslam noted, with a history of making quarterbacks successful. He said he spoke to Watson recently, that the quarterback is in the best shape he’s been in in years, and that he’ll be in Cleveland on April 7 when the offseason program kicks off.
“We’re all excited,” Haslam said.
Watson has played in just 19 games since arriving in Cleveland and has now missed two full seasons with injuries. His last relevant season was 2020 — when Harold Fannin Jr. was 15 years old. He’s entering his perceived final year of his $230 million fully guaranteed contract, and his 33.1 Total QBR since joining the Browns would rank dead last among qualifying passers.
We have to brace for a noisy quarterback competition between Watson and Shedeur Sanders, with Berry leaving the door open to adding another quarterback to the mix — we will see if that name is one we should take seriously.
Haslam did mention Sanders has been in Cleveland working around the facility for the last few months and that he appreciated that commitment. His presence being a welcome sight for a young quarterback trying to take as much ownership of the process in Cleveland as possible.
Cautiously optimistic, as Haslam put it. You as a fan have to decide whether to believe Haslam on that sentiment or not. He might have presumed he wouldn’t see Watson back in a Browns uniform a year ago and now realizing it might be a reality it means shifting the tone. Just how serious they’re taking the veteran will unfold soon enough. But it’s a reminder of the bleak history Watson has provided Browns fans in a disastrous trade and it’s enough to make some turn completely away from paying attention. Tough to blame anyone feeling that way.
Speaking of trades, those rumors have followed Garrett into this offseason — again — but Haslam made the Browns’ position crystal clear Monday — echoing a similar tone from Berry and head coach Todd Monken.
“We anticipate Myles fully buying in,” Haslam said, adding that communication with Garrett has been intermittent this offseason but isn’t something that concerns him as Garrett handles each offseason in a very similar manner.
He then went further, making what might be the boldest case for any player in the NFL right now. “I could argue that Myles is the best player in the NFL,” Haslam said. “Guys like Myles Garrett do not come along very much. They just don’t. He is a unicorn. And Myles is an integral part of what we do at the Cleveland Browns.”
Berry backed him up on Sunday, saying bluntly: “If we wanted to trade Myles, we wouldn’t have needed to make a contract adjustment.” The Browns recently restructured Garrett’s deal — moving his roster bonus closer to the start of the regular season — but insist that move was not a prelude to a trade.
The message from ownership and the front office: Garrett is a Brown and they’re standing on that publicly for the time being. But as know, things can always change quickly with the right offer. Until we know for sure the specifics of why that restructure was necessary, it’s fair to continue to ponder.
The Haslam family last week announced they’re bumping their personal investment in the Brook Park stadium project to $1.755 billion, as digging is already underway at the site. The overall project is pegged at $2.6 billion.
The 67,500-seat enclosed venue — capable of hosting up to 75,000 for concerts and events like NCAA Final Fours and international soccer — is being called Northeast Ohio’s largest economic development initiative ever.
“We believe that Cleveland and all of Northeast Ohio deserve this state-of-the-art, first-of-its-kind venue,” the Haslams said in a statement, “and we will continue to work on our commitment to build a stadium and football team that our fans and community will be proud of.” The Browns will break ground officially on April 30th with a ceremony for the new stadium project.
Both Jimmy and Dee Haslam also mentioned that commitment is heavily leaning toward landing a Super Bowl for Northeast Ohio. “Well, Cleveland has to develop the hotels around that, but we're hoping this spurs a lot of growth in the area and that would be a possibility. But there's a lot of infrastructure work that has to be done as well as growth in the hotels.” Dee noted.
Jimmy added, “If you remember, the commissioner said the stadium will be Super Bowl ready. The question is, is infrastructure in the greater Cleveland area is ready. In the Super Bowl, you all know what extravaganza it's got and you've got to have a lot of hotels.”
It would be quite cool to see the event in Ohio for the first time. But it would be nicer to see the actual team earn their way to one of those Super Bowls themselves.
A new stadium. Questions around the franchise cornerstone on defense. Another quarterback competition that could go any number of directions. One thing’s for sure — it’s never boring being a Browns fan but it sure can be annoying.
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I like to have our subscribers get a chance to get their mock drafts in front of the eyes of other loyal subscribers. We once again turn to the Founder’s Tier for this one with three quality mock drafts. Let us know in the comments which one you prefer the most.
Mock No. 1: Artie
In a draft lacking high end talent, my goal was to add solid players to both OL and pass catchers. I traded back twice to get more assets. I drafted Saddiq and Cooper at tight end and wide receiver respectively. I then added two offensive lineman in Miller and Pregnon. Collectively, these four address the remaining weakness outside of quarterback. Igbinsoun is an experienced corner who can play both outside and a little bit of slot. I finish off with Styles Jr and Faison to hopefully find a little bit of production out fo the lower picks. Quarterback is clearly a glaring need, but with these offensive acquisitions, the team could allocate assets to quarterback and perhaps continue to add wide receiver talent in 2027, but with Fannin Jr, Cooper, and Saddiq you have the makings of a nice group of pass catchers.
Mock No. 2: Matt W.
I'm operating with the idea that we make a move pre-draft that either brings us another receiver or a trade of Garrett (I know post June-1 makes more sense) we're able to draft an explosive pass rusher and still address the line and multiple receivers. As much as I would shake my head, I can't help but think we go BPA. In this scenario we trade Garrett for 2027 and 2028 assets.
Mock No. 3: Jesse Jeffers
Wanted to upgrade offensive line and wide receiver while trying to get 2027 picks. Phone kept ringing in the first round, so I kept answering. Ended up with an odd grouping of 2026 picks after accepting offers that netted MIN 2027 R1, NE 2027 R2, and MIA 2027 R2 picks, and didn't get compelling offers for the picks in the 40s. That would obviously look different in real life. Freeling gets you a shot at a left tackle with high end traits. Brazzell/Bell duo are an instant upgrade at WR. Cisse has inside/outside versatility at CB and gives them an option if they move off Ward. Ramsey/Clark combo can accelerate a pivot off what they've been doing at safety, with slot versatility. Hecht may start immediately and move E. Jenkins to guard. Singleton is Judkins insurance, but this could go in other directions (even a flip to a future year if possible). LB depth gets an upgrade, and KEO provides a very enticing athletic profile. Bentley & Nowakowski step in with specific roles and may both contribute immediately.
Browns Film Breakdown will return soon with some fresh content.
I can only imagine all the screaming happening at draft parties if there are as many trade downs as third mock suggests.
first mock draft looks pretty nice