Photo by Dan Labbe, cleveland.com
13 of the 14 players the Browns drafted in 2016 remain with the team
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- There are obviously high hopes for the Browns' most recent draft class, one that included three picks in the first round in defensive end Myles Garrett, safety Jabrill Peppers and tight end David Njoku. Then, of course, there’s the quarterback they drafted in the second round, DeShone Kizer.
As far as high picks, the 2016 draft class doesn’t carry nearly as much buzz, but 13 of the 14 players picked in that draft are still on the roster and, while longterm NFL starters might not dot the list of players, there are certainly some who show promise to fit that bill and others who, if this rebuild is going to work, will need to develop into quality depth players.
We’re less than three weeks away, now, from the start of training camp, so let’s look at the 13 players remaining that the Browns picked last year (in the order they were picked) and try to set realistic expectations for each.
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By Dan Labbe, cleveland.com
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John Kuntz, cleveland.com
Corey Coleman
It looked like Coleman was on the fast track last season after a strong opening week in Philadelphia and what appeared to be a breakout game at home against Baltimore. Things stalled, though, thanks to a broken hand, and injuries have really been Coleman’s story in the year since the Browns drafted him -- he most recently missed most of the spring with injury.
The big play potential is there with Coleman. He struggled with some drops last season and certainly didn’t benefit from inconsistent quarterback play. The Browns need him to become one of their top targets this season now that Terrelle Pryor is gone. He might not need to be the No. 1 guy if Kenny Britt plays well, but he’ll have to play well enough that the line between No. 1 and No. 2 is thin.
John Kuntz, cleveland.com
Emmanuel Ogbah
He was the big win from last year's draft, a player who didn't start playing football until junior high after his parents came to the United States from Nigeria. Originally slated to move to outside linebacker in Ray Horton's 3-4 scheme, he moved back to defensive end following the pre-training camp injury to Desmond Bryant. He would go on to register 5.5 sacks, tied for the fourth highest total by a rookie in franchise history.
Defensive line coach Clyde Simmons called Ogbah a “classic left end” and he’ll have the opportunity to serve as one of the bookends on the line, with Garrett on the other side. The two should be able to work well off of each other and Ogbah’s ability to bat passes down -- on full display during OTAs and minicamp -- will fit Gregg Williams’ attacking scheme well.
Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
Carl Nassib
He was an early bright spot of the draft class, displaying quickness off the ball and harassing Carson Wentz and the Eagles in Week 1, collecting three tackles and a sack. He broke his hand, however, in Week 2 against Baltimore, returning a few weeks later with a cast. He never quite got back to what he was early in the season, though there were times when he showed his size could cause problems when it comes to batting passes.
The pressure is off Nassib a bit this year now that Garrett is in the fold and Ogbah is slated to lock down the right end. That means Nassib can be used more situationally and continue to develop.
Shon Coleman
There’s an argument to be made that Coleman is the most important pick from last year’s class. That’s because all of that money the Browns invested in their offensive line this offseason could get thrown out the window if the right tackle position isn’t settled.
Coleman is battling with Cameron Erving for this job and Coleman will likely be the frontrunner heading into training camp. As more and more teams play their best edge rushers over the right side of the line, this increasingly important position could be a make-or-break one for the Browns and the spotlight will shine directly on Coleman either way.
Cody Kessler
The USC product was put in a no-win situation last season. The Browns tried to bury him behind two injury-prone quarterbacks and, lo and behold, he was starting by Week 3. Kessler played nobly in an impossible situation, but in the "actions speak louder than words" world of the NFL, head coach Hue Jackson pulled Kessler on a Thursday night in Baltimore when it was obvious that he simply didn’t have the arm to move the offense that night and went with Robert Griffin III at the end of the season even though it was clear he was not any kind of longterm answer.
Kessler has come back as the No. 1 quarterback for now, and it would probably be best for the Browns if it stayed that way early in the season. It’s going to be hard, though, for Jackson to keep DeShone Kizer glued to the bench if it’s clear he offers the most potential to run the offense Jackson envisions.
If Kessler can make the decision difficult, that’s a good thing for both him and the team.
John Kuntz, cleveland.com
Joe Schobert
Schobert actually beat out Nate Orchard at outside linebacker last training camp. He had a quiet year overall, though, registering 11 tackles.
It’s hard to say how much opportunity there will be at outside linebacker in Williams’ scheme, especially if the Browns are in nickel most of the time, leaving Christian Kirksey and Jamie Collins as the linebackers on the field. On top of that, in base defense during the spring, it was Tank Carder in the middle and Collins and Kirksey outside, so snaps will be hard to come by for the guys outside. Schobert’s best opportunity this year might be to excel on special teams.
Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
Ricardo Louis
Find yourself someone who will talk about you the way Browns senior offensive assistant Al Saunders talks about Louis.
"There's not a guy in that room that prepares any more diligently off the field at home than Ricardo," Saunders said on the final day of minicamp. "He is magnificent in his note-taking, his transcribing, the way he studies at night. He's really helped himself understanding what he has to do and now he lines up at the line of scrimmage when he hears the play and sees defense and recognizes the coverage, he goes a hundred miles an hour and he is a talented young man."
Louis was one of the players talked up in a big way this spring and the Browns need him to establish himself as the No. 3 receiver. His versatility is a plus, but if he can’t hang onto the football, it won’t matter.
John Kuntz, cleveland.com
Derrick Kindred
Kindred, like Nassib, made a strong early impression last season, especially when it came to delivering hits. Unfortunately, his playing time flagged and essentially disappeared as the season went on when he struggled in coverage. As the season became more and more lost, he returned to the field and earned snaps back before a bye week injury cost him the rest of his rookie year.
So far it has been Ed Reynolds and Ibraheim Campbell lining up at the safety positions. Eventually, Peppers will work his way in. Williams won’t be shy about going with his best guys, though, and Kindred shouldn’t be forgotten this summer.
Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
Seth DeValve
There were flashes last season, but DeValve didn't get much opportunity as he worked his way onto the field and dealt with injury. But he did find the endzone twice and caught 10 passes on just 12 targets.
The hope is that he and Njoku can form a lethal combination at tight end. Both will spend plenty of time split out wide and could offer whoever plays quarterback a reliable set of hands, especially in the red zone.
John Kuntz, cleveland.com
Jordan Payton
Payton came in advertised as a guy who could catch anything. He didn’t catch much at all, though, his rookie season, appearing in just four games and catching one pass, his season ending early due to a PED suspension.
His first job is to make the team. From there, if he can develop into a decent possession receiver on occasion and contribute on special teams, that’s progress that could keep him around a little while longer.
John Kuntz, cleveland.com
Spencer Drango
He started out competing at right tackle last training camp and ended up holding down left guard after Joel Bitonio’s season ended. He did a respectable job, too.
Neither guard job is open right now, but Drango could settle in as one of the extra linemen, a guy who can swing through positions internally, especially with the time frame for John Greco’s return uncertain.
Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
Rashard Higgins
He came in talking a good game last year and the man with the nickname "Hollywood" even caught a touchdown pass in the preseason. But the snaps weren't there early as he stayed buried on the depth chart and he did little when he got on the field, catching six passes for 77 yards.
Like Louis, there is an opportunity for Higgins, especially if he can offer a downfield target. The Browns need playmakers on the outside and a little Hollywood would help.
John Kuntz, cleveland.com
Trey Caldwell
If you forgot about Caldwell, don't feel bad. He spent most of last season on the practice squad before getting moved to the active roster on Dec. 21. He played 11 special teams snaps in the Christmas Eve win over San Diego, but a hamstring injury held him out of the season finale against Pittsburgh.
So what to expect from Caldwell this season is hard to say, but the secondary is far from settled and when you’re fighting for a spot at the bottom of the roster, a couple special teams plays in the preseason could win you a job.
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