What a year for the Browns, after getting the players they wanted in the NFL draft they go 3-13 and earn themselves the 2nd pick in the 2016 NFL draft.
With Johnny Manziel proving to be a terrible fit in the Browns convoluted system, Manziel checked out and is now waiting to be released. The way the Browns acted towards the quarterback who was supposed to lead them into the future was a bit jarring.
Sure Manziel shouldn't have been partying but even when he was caught on social media doing something absolutely boring the Browns would still cause an uproar. With a new head coach and GM being put in place for 2016 the Browns can only go up from here. The Browns have a ton of draft needs and not enough picks to fill them all.
The most pressing need is really a pass rushing defensive end. NFL teams of course need quarterbacks but has anyone seen the St. Louis Rams defense when they are healthy? Sure Jared Goff or Paxton Lynch would be the typical choice for the Browns but it would be somewhat of a wasted pick, imagine if a year ago the Browns took Manziel with their first, 1st round pick. The Browns need to build a team for a quarterback to lead, not grab a quarterback and expect him to change everything overnight.
The Browns could also attempt to run with Manziel for one more season under a new coach and pick up an effective backup quarterback such as Sam Bradford or Kirk Cousins if the Washington Redskins decide to allow him to test free agency.
The Browns could also use another wide receiver as they will not have any idea where Josh Gordon is at mentally when he returns from his suspension. In terms of wide receivers I would not waste a pick earlier in the draft on it, instead grab players like Anquan Boldin, Rishard Matthews, Jermaine Kearse, or even Alshon Jeffery as the Bears might allow him to test free agency.
The Browns could also use some pass rushing defenders at the defensive end and inside linebacker positions. In the draft Joey Bosa and Emmanuel Ogbah would make fantastic additions to this Browns defense as they should be able to cause a ton of pressure. As for inside linebackers, Jaylon Smith and Reggie Ragland would be the optimal choices for Cleveland.
With pass rushers such as Jason Pierre Paul, Muhammad Wilkerson, Jeremy Mincey, Malik Jackson, Derrick Johnson, Rolando McClain, and Danny Trevathan the Browns could invest in a few of those players to help bolster this pass rush in a transitional period. The Browns above anything else, the Browns need to find some impact players to help them find some sort of identity.
