Assessing Tony Brown's fit with the Cleveland Browns

THE ORGANIZATION

Whelp, it’s the Browns.

Maybe Kevin Stefanski can take them back to the playoffs.

But Freddie Kitchens couldn’t.

And Hue Jackson couldn’t.

And Mike Pettine couldn’t.

And Ron Chudzinski couldn’t.

And Pat Shurmur couldn’t.

And Eric Mangini couldn’t.

And Romeo Crennel couldn’t.

Butch Davis did though, back in 2003. And the Browns lost in the Wild Card round despite Kelly Holcomb’s 429 passing yards.

Kelly Holcomb never made another playoff appearance, and neither did Butch Davis, and neither did the Browns.

What more is there to say?

Jimmy Haslam has only owned the team for the last eight seasons, so the 17-year playoff drought isn’t totally his fault?

Is that a positive enough spin?

THE SCHEME

As mentioned above, former Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski is taking over as the Browns’ head coach.

He runs the ball more than the Browns have in the past, which isn’t a great note for a wide receiver, but the news isn’t all bad. Cleveland needs to move the ball better than it did in 2019 and a strong running game could open up the passing game. The Vikings and Browns use similar zone schemes, so expect to see running back Nick Chubb continue to thrive in Cleveland.

One big question for the wide receivers is whether the team will use a fullback since Stefanski has used fullbacks in the past. A fullback would take one wide receiver off the field, and he’d likely be the reason the Browns keep five receivers instead of six.

In terms of his responsibilities, Brown is a solid fit for what the Cleveland receivers are expected to do.

Brown doesn’t have the speed you’d like to see out of a deep threat, but he has the rest of the traits you’d look for. He is very good at tracking the ball downfield and has good hands to bring it in.

Cleveland should throw the ball downfield more in 2020, primarily off of play-action, and Brown’s efficiency outside the numbers could translate quickly to the NFL. His route-running could translate as well.

Or maybe the jump in talent will hold Brown back a bit and we’ll have to wait for him to figure out how to contribute at the next level.

THE DEPTH CHART

At first glance, the Browns’ depth chart looks impossible to crack:

Odell Beckham Jr. may be the best receiver in the game and he’s under contract through 2023.

Jarvis Landry would be the best receiver on close to half of the teams in the league and he’s under contract through 2022.

Rashard Higgins (who you may remember from his days at Colorado State) signed a small, one-year deal to go back to Cleveland as one of the best No. 3 receivers in the league.

Donovan Peoples-Jones was the Browns’ sixth-round draft pick, but nobody would’ve batted an eye if he had been taken in the second.

That leaves one — maybe two at the absolute most — roster spot for Brown to fight for, against the likes of Damion Ratley, KhaDarel Hodge, Taywan Taylor, JoJo Natson and a handful of others.

Brown is as competent as any of his competitors for the No. 5 job, but there isn’t much reason to say he’s the one who will come away with it. The playing field is extremely level.

If Brown can make the roster — or even stick on the practice squad — there’s room for hope. Trade rumors have swirled around Beckham all offseason, and Higgins could move on after his contract ends.

There will still be plenty of competition for any available playing time though.