3 Biggest Areas of Need for the Browns This Offseason

The Cleveland Browns were supposed to be playoff contenders after their bevy of moves last offseason. Instead, it was the same old Browns, as they fell to 6-10 despite adding Odell Beckham Jr. to the offense.

On Monday, the team made a big splash in signing Austin Hooper, the best tight end in free agency, to a four-year deal. Even so, the Browns still have plenty of needs entering the start of the regular season. Here are three positions need to be addressed by new general manager Andrew Berry.

3. Offensive Guard

The Browns failed to replace the void left by Kevin Zeitler. / Kirk Irwin/Getty Images

The Browns, looking to add an edge rusher alongside Myles Garrett, struck a deal to land Olivier Vernon from the New York Giants last offseason. The problem was, they surrendered offensive guard Kevin Zeitler, their best lineman, in the deal. The Browns offense, as a whole, suffered. Wyatt Teller couldn't fill Zeitler's shoes, and they only had rookies selected in the later rounds behind him. Cleveland needs to bolster the trenches, specifically on the right side of the line of scrimmage.

2. Safety

Cleveland's safety position is dreadful. / Kirk Irwin/Getty Images

Last season, Cleveland boasted one of the younger secondaries in the league, highlighted by cornerbacks Denzel Ward and Greedy Williams who are both 22. But it was their safety position that was the worst of the bunch. Damarious Randall never panned out after acquiring him from the Green Bay Packers, and neither did their signing of Morgan Burnett. If the Browns want to see an overall improved product in 2020, they'll need to address the safety position, whether it be via the draft or free agency.

1. Offensive Tackle

The offensive tackle position in Cleveland is awful. / Norm Hall/Getty Images

The Browns completely wasted the career of left tackle Joe Thomas and have had no success replacing him since his retirement. They tried utilizing Greg Robinson to fill the void, who turned into a penalty flag machine and is currently set to do some hard time following his arrest for possession of an egregious amount of marijuana. The Browns need to invest in protection for quarterback Baker Mayfield if they want him to turn things around, and can do so via the draft where they own the 10th overall pick, or through targeting premier free agents, such as Jack Conklin, on the open market.