The Cleveland Browns haven’t been big players in the free agent market but they have made a few strategic moves. Five days in, however, the biggest need continues to be quarterback despite the surprise trade for Kenny Pickett.
While Pickett may have been told that he will have an opportunity to compete for the starting role, the expectation is for the Browns to bring in a veteran to have a leg up on the job. The game of musical chairs is down to the last few seats and it appears that Cleveland and the New York Giants are competing for Russell Wilson.
There are arguments to be made on both sides as to whether Wilson is the right quarterback for the Browns. The focus of this article is to examine the choice from Wilson’s perspective to do two things.
First, what choice is the veteran more likely to make after visiting both teams at the end of the day? Also, it’s an opportunity to evaluate the Browns against a franchise that is in a similar position.
The following are the biggest comparison points he will make aside from location. If everything is equal, Wilson would probably prefer the limelight of New York considering his marriage to Ciara.
Coach / GM
Both teams are in a similar boat here. While Kevin Stefanski and Andrew Berry were already extended, both groups are very much on the hot seat after a disappointing season.
Brian Daboll also won the NFL Coach of the Year award in his first year just like Stefanski after leading his team to an unexpected playoff run. Joe Schoen, the Giants’ GM, has been heavily criticized for the decision to let Saquon Barkley leave in free agency, but the team performed well in last year’s draft.
Advantage: Slightly to the Browns in a closer than expected contest.
Offensive Line:
Age and injury issues have caught up to the Browns here despite the addition of Cornelius Lucas. The Giants have added depth so far in free agency and boast a top-tier LT in Andrew Thomas.
Advantage: Giants
Skill Players
Both teams haven’t done much to address the weapons on offense as of yet. Jerry Jeudy had a breakout season for the Browns but Malik Nabers may have the potential to be a true top five receiver for years to come.
David Njoku gives Cleveland an advantage at tight end but they have little behind him on the depth chart. Tyrone Tracey had a breakout season as a rookie and the Browns are attempting to replace Nick Chubb.
Advantage: This is close but I’d give the edge to the Giants based on the projection of Nabers.
Defense
Wilson has always had his greatest success with a stout defense complimenting the offense. The Browns are a year removed from touting the league’s best unit but suffered regression last year.
The good news is that Myles Garrett is back in the fold for the future and the team has some young defensive linemen who flashed last year. The Giants have focused spending on the defense so far in free agency and have added starting-level talent in the secondary by adding Jevon Holland and Paulson Adebo to a dynamic defensive line.
Advantage: As much as it pains me, I have to call this a draw, as I think both units will be improved next season. The difference is that New York had the ability to add more significantly than the prudent signings Cleveland has made so far.
I do feel the Browns have a chance to add heavily through the draft and may add the best defensive player available with the second pick overall, but at this stage I’d have to call this too close.
This decision overall is probably closer than most Browns fans would like to admit with all things being equal. In the end, it might come down to which head coach Wilson feels most comfortable with. This was a good exercise to stack the Browns up with a team who, at first glance, I thought wasn’t as good.
How do you feel after thinking this through? Which team would you choose if you were advising Wilson? Let us know in the comments below.