The Cleveland Browns are heading into a very important season for the franchise after coming under new ownership under Jimmy Haslam and new leadership with head coach Rob Chudzinski and in training camp they have their top draft pick Barkevious Mingo along for the ride after signing him to a rookie deal.
The biggest issues for the team in camp are for Brandon Weeden to prove he is the starter of the future and he knows that he has a chance for big things with coach Rob Chudzinski, who helped guide the team to the playoffs previously and got some great stats out of Cam Newton in Carolina. Weeden was a first round pick of the past regime and after going 5-9 as a starter, the team is hoping he improves after throwing for 3,385 yards.
Mingo was selected with the number six overall pick in the draft in April out of LSU and the team is hoping he provides a consistent pass rush for a defensive line that lacked it last season. The Browns announced that the deal is worth $16 million over four-years and also includes a fifth year team option and the agreement ensures that Mingo will be with the team when they begin training camp on Thursday. The franchise has a new owner in Haslam and after signing Paul Kruger in the offseason and adding some other players to the roster, the team is ready to improve after some disappointing records under Pat Shurmur.
Mingo was the last rookie to sign with the Browns after cornerback Leon McFadden, safety Jamoris Slaughter, defensive end Armonty Bryant and guard Garrett Gilkey and that was a priority for Chudzinski heading into camp, as the team has a number of questions at various positions heading into the season. Chudzinski will look at how quarterback Brandon Weeden looks in camp and running back Trent Richardson will also be a primary focus, as he is banged up heading into workouts.
Mingo was considered one of the top athletic talents in the draft this past year and he played in 40 career games at LSU, including 15 starts last season when he recorded 119 tackles and 15 sacks. Mingo came out of the draft as a defensive end and there is a chance he will play there a bit this season, but the Browns and defensive coordinator Ray Horton will likely use him as an outside linebacker to make the most of his speed and explosiveness.
