Cleveland Browns Rumors & News

DeAngelo Williams Rules Out Four Teams

July 12th, 2017 at 8:51am CST by Zach Links

Earlier this month, DeAngelo Williams told ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter that he wanted to continue playing in 2017. However, he said that there were four mystery teams he refused to play for. The running back has now revealed the identity of those teams (audio link).

Surprisingly, the Panthers are one of the teams that Williams says he will not sign with. The 34-year-old spent the first nine seasons of his career in Carolina, but he left there with a bad taste in his mouth because of the way his departure played out. He also said that he would not sign with the Cowboys, because he grew up a 49ers fan. The Browns and Jaguars, Williams says, are also not in consideration, because of their losing seasons. Williams was not exactly delicate as he broke down his reasons for crossing off each club.

“They don’t ever show up during the playoffs,” Williams said of the Cowboys. “They always disappear in the playoffs.”

In theory, that leaves 28 teams for Williams to possibly join this summer. However, his age and odometer are clearly working against him as we have heard little chatter around the veteran tailback. They say that beggars can’t be choosers, and Williams is being a chooser in the most unorthodox way by ruling out four teams that he could possibly join.

As of this writing, all four of the teams listed by Williams seem pretty well set at running back. However, if one of those clubs loses an RB to injury this summer, he may regret his words.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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Hue Jackson Expected To Have Long Leash

July 11th, 2017 at 9:09pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Hue Jackson is expected to receive a long leash as head coach of the Browns, and likely won’t be fired even if the club struggles again in 2017, writes Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. As I wrote in today’s review of the Browns’ offseason, Cleveland is in the midst of a full-scale rebuild, and the team’s ownership and front office is aware that Jackson isn’t leading a top-notch roster. As Cabot notes, the Browns will likely be starting rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer for the majority of the season, so growing pains are to be expected. While improvement over last year’s 1-15 mark is to be expected, Jackson won’t be blamed if Cleveland doesn’t come near playoff contention.

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Offseason In Review: Cleveland Browns

July 11th, 2017 at 7:12pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Squarely in the middle of a rebuild, the Browns posted a one-win campaign under the first-year management team of general manager Sashi Brown and head coach Hue Jackson. 2016’s struggles were accepted (and expected), but Cleveland had work to do in both free agency and the draft as it took the next step in forging a path to contention in the AFC North.

Notable signings:

Jamie Collins, LB: Four years, $50MM. $26.4MM guaranteed.
Kevin Zeitler, G: Five years, $60MM. $23MM guaranteed.
Kenny Britt, WR: Four years, $32.5MM. $10.5MM guaranteed.
J.C. Tretter, C: Three years, $16.75MM. $6.5MM guaranteed.
Britton Colquitt, P: Four years, $11.2MM. $3.15MM guaranteed.
Jason McCourty, CB: Two years, $6MM. $2MM guaranteed.
Charley Hughlett, LS: Six years, $6.37MM. $850K guaranteed.
Matt McCants, T: One year, minimum salary benefit. $80K guaranteed.
Isaiah Crowell, RB: One year, $2.746MM. Signed second-round RFA tender.
Marcus Burley, CB: One year, $1.797MM. Signed original round RFA tender.

Armed with $110MM in cap space, the Browns decided to reinforce the interior of an offensive line that ranked dead last in adjusted sack rate and 28th in adjusted line yards a season ago. Cleveland first poached Kevin Zeitler from the division-rival Bengals, making the 27-year-old the highest-paid guard in the NFL. His $12MM annual salary is $300K per year more than the Raiders’ Kelechi Osemele, while Zeitler’s full guarantee of $23MM trails Osemele by $2.4MM. Zeitler graded as the league’s No. 7 guard in the league in 2016, according to Pro Football Focus, so he’ll be an improvement over the likes of John Greco and Spencer Drango (and will make Greco one of the NFL’s best reserve offensive linemen).

The Browns didn’t stop after adding Zeitler, as they also brought in former Packers center J.C. Tretter. A former fourth-round pick, Tretter split time at Green Bay’s pivot with Corey Linsley over the past three years, and also showed the ability play guard and tackle. While he doesn’t offer much experience (only 10 career starts), Tretter should offer an upgrade for the Browns, who haven’t found an option at center since Alex Mack after the 2014 campaign. Former first-round selection Cameron Erving, a center by trade, will now become part of Cleveland’s competition at right tackle, the club’s one weak spot on a front five that PFF ranked as the second-best offensive line heading into the 2017 season.

Running behind the Browns’ revamped offensive line will be Isaiah Crowell, who’s back with the team after signing his second-round restricted free agent tender. Crowell, 24, reportedly drew interest as an RFA, but will instead return to Cleveland on a non-guaranteed $2.746MM. After posting the best season of his three-year career in 2016, Crowell could be in line for an extension, although talks had apparently stalled as of late May. He rushed for a career-high 4.8 yards per carry on 198 attempts last year.

Joining Crowell among Cleveland’s skill position players is wideout Kenny Britt, whom the Browns enticed with a four-year pact. Although Britt topped the 1,000-yard mark in 2016, he’s entering his age-29 campaign, so his fit with a young Browns roster is murky. The rest of Cleveland’s wide receiver corps is comprised of youthful, inexperienced players, so perhaps the Browns simply want some level of maturity at the position. The Britt signing wasn’t a personal favorite — the Browns could have spent a bit more and tried to lure Alshon Jeffery to Cleveland, or made a harder run at retaining Terrelle Pryor — but the club had to spend its cap space in some fashion, and Britt is a capable player.

On defense, the Browns unsurprisingly re-signed linebacker Jamie Collins after shipping a third-round pick to New England in order to acquire him at midseason. Collins agreed to an extension in January instead of hitting the open market, but he still set a new high-water mark for off-ball linebackers, as his $12.5MM annual salary puts him just north of Luke Kuechly. Collins graded as just the 44th-best edge defender in the league last season (per PFF), a far lower rating that he’d attained in years past, but he’s a solid fit in new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams‘ attacking 4-3 scheme.

Cleveland also brought in veteran defensive back Jason McCourty, signing the longtime cornerback after he was released by the Titans. At age-29, McCourty isn’t the No. 1 corner he once was, but he’s still a viable starter, and will add an air of competence opposite Joe Haden. McCourty will likely begin the season in the starting lineup at corner, but if the Browns are impressed by one of their young defensive backs, McCourty could conceivably be shifted to safety.

Notable losses:

The Terrelle Pryor situation was one of the great mysteries of the 2017 free agent period, and it’s still not entirely clear how (and why) the Browns allowed him to sign with the Redskins on a one-year deal worth just $6MM. Reports on the episode have varied, as team owner Jimmy Haslam says Cleveland made a “very aggressive” long-term offer to Pryor, while Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com indicated the Browns refused a chance to match Washington’s terms.

Whatever happened, it’s nearly unforgivable that the Browns lost Pryor, especially given his ending price point. Cleveland developed Pryor into a wide receiver, and witnessed him post 77 receptions, 1,007 yards, and four touchdowns in his first season as pass-catcher. That’s incredible production from a former quarterback who had only dabbled as a wideout in previous seasons. It’s inconceivable that the Browns allowed Pryor to walk after his 2016 season, and if the two sides somehow couldn’t agree on a contract, Cleveland should have used the franchise tag, which would have allowed the club to retain Pryor for one year and $15.6MM.

While Pryor’s free agency ordeal was full of surprises, the open market travails of offensive lineman Austin Pasztor are equally confusing. Only 26 years old, Pasztor started 16 games for the first time in his career in 2016 and performed extremely well, earning positive marks from PFF (especially in the passing game). But he hasn’t drawn a lick of free agent interest since the new league year began in March: no meeting, no workouts, no known interest of any kind. Cleveland should have used the same May 11 tender that New England deployed on LeGarrette Blount, which would have essentially tied Pasztor to the Browns at a cheap rate. He’d be the team’s immediate starter at right tackle.

Most of the Browns’ other free agent decisions made more sense, especially at the quarterback position, where the club cut ties with both Robert Griffin III and Josh McCown. The decision to sign Griffin was mocked (and even more so after he went down with injury in his first game as a Brown), but Cleveland took a worthwhile gamble by inking RG3, who posted arguably the greatest rookie quarterback season of all time in 2012. Although the experiment didn’t work out, $7.5MM was a palatable price to see if Griffin could recapture his past production. McCown, meanwhile, typically played well in his time with the Brown, but like RG3, simply couldn’t stay on the field. A 38-year-old signal-caller doesn’t belong on a rebuilding roster.

An almost 32-year-old tight end probably doesn’t belong a young roster, either, but the Browns’ decision to part with Gary Barnidge was complicated by his excellent results over the past two years. From 2015-16, Barnidge averaged 67 receptions, 828 yards, and six touchdowns, and was only scheduled to carry a $3.8MM cap charge. Still, despite the fact that I’ve banged the free agent drum for Barnidge, he didn’t make sense on a club that wants to give snaps to first-round pick David Njoku.

Trades:

Acquired QB Brock Osweiler, a 2017 sixth-round pick (No. 188), and a 2018 second-round pick from the Texans in exchange for a 2017 fourth-round pick (No. 142).
Acquired a 2017 first-round pick (No. 25; S Jabrill Peppers) and a 2018 first-round pick from the Texans in exchange for a 2017 first-round pick (No. 12; QB Deshaun Watson).
Acquired a 2017 first-round pick (No. 29; TE David Njoku) from the Packers in exchange for a 2017 second-round pick (No. 33; CB Kevin King) and a 2017 fourth-round pick (No. 108; LB Vince Biegel).
Acquired a 2017 fourth-round pick (No. 126; CB Howard Wilson) and a 2017 seventh-round pick (No. 252; RB Matthew Dayes) from the Broncos in exchange for a 2017 fifth-round pick (No. 145; TE Jake Butt) and a 2017 fifth-round pick (No. 175).
Acquired a 2017 fifth-round pick (No. 160; OL Roderick Johnson) and a 2017 seventh-round pick (No. 224; K Zane Gonzalez) from the Jets in exchange for a 2017 fifth-round pick (No. 181; LB Dylan Donahue) and a 2017 sixth-round pick (No. 188; RB Elijah McGuire).
Acquired S Calvin Pryor from the Jets in exchange for LB Demario Davis.

Cleveland’s acquisition of Brock Osweiler was unquestionably the most interesting trade of the year, as the Browns agreed to take on Osweiler’s fully guaranteed $16MM 2017 salary in order to land draft capital from the Texans. Opinions of the swap have been mixed — Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap was critical of the deal, while Bill Barnwell of ESPN.com was a bit more laudatory — but the trade was certainly creative. While Osweiler was originally viewed as a vessel for the Browns to acquire draft picks, he might now be in serious consideration for Cleveland’s starting quarterback job.

For the rest of Cleveland’s draft pick-oriented trades, I thought it would be instructive to compare the moves alongside Kevin Meers’ draft value chart, which he published at the Harvard Sports Collective in 2011. Meers was a Browns research analyst at the time of the draft, but has since been promoted to director of research and strategy. His value chart is a bit different from the classic Jimmy Johnson chart or even Chase Stuart of Football Perspective’s table, and places more value on mid-to-late round selections.

Combining their four draft choice-centric deals, the Browns netted 115.9 points of value, which is worth the 77th overall selection (early third round), according to Meers’ chart. Of course, that total is heavily influenced by Cleveland’s draft-day trade with Houston, which landed the club a 2018 first-round pick. Even if that choice is valued in the middle of the 2018 first round, it’s still a massive overpay for the Texans (who probably didn’t care, as they were seeking a franchise quarterback). That deal alone was worth 196.9 points of value to the Browns, comparable to the 32nd overall choice.

Without that trade accounted for, Cleveland actually lost draft value in its other three draft-day swaps, at least per Meers’ chart. In a trio of deals, the Browns sacrificed 81 points of value (roughly the 120th pick) in trades that saw them move up three times. Of course, it’s not fair to erase the Texans/Deshaun Watson trade simply because its effects won’t be felt until next year, and the Browns may have felt more comfortable dealing away value in 2017 knowing they had that extra first-rounder in their back pocket.

Draft picks:

1-1: Myles Garrett, LB (Texas A&M)
1-25: Jabrill Peppers, S (Michigan)
1-29: David Njoku, TE (Miami)
2-52: DeShone Kizer, QB (Notre Dame)
3-65: Larry Ogunjobi, DT (Charlotte)
4-126: Howard Wilson, CB (Houston)
5-160: Roderick Johnson, OL (Florida State)
6-185: Caleb Brantley, DL (Florida)
7-224: Zane Gonzalez, K (Arizona State)
7-252: Matthew Dayes, RB (North Carolina State)

Four of Cleveland’s first five selections figure to see large snap counts during their rookie campaigns, and expectations won’t be higher for any other pick league-wide than No. 1 overall choice Myles Garrett. The consensus top prospect in the draft, Garrett figures to be inserted directly into the Browns’ starting lineup and should be a threat for double-digit sacks. Larry Ogunjobi also has a chance to start on the defensive line (at tackle), while Jabrill Peppers — provided he gets under contract — and David Njoku will also play large roles in 2017.

The Browns’ most interesting pick came on Day 2, when they landed Notre Dame quarterback DeShone Kizer with the 52nd overall selection. Instead of jumping on a signal-caller early, Cleveland sat back and let the draft come to them. Personally my favorite quarterback of the 2017 class, Kizer displays exceptional movement within the pocket and doesn’t wilt in the face of pressure, QB guru Cian Fahey explained earlier this year in a series of GIFs. Kizer should compete for playing time by midseason at the latest.

Cleveland also placed a well-calculated bet in the sixth round, picking up defensive lineman Caleb Brantley, whose stock had fallen based on assault charges. The Browns made it clear they weren’t committed to Brantley, who’d been viewed as a Day 2 pick, even after drafting him. But now that charges have been dropped against the Florida product — and new evidence showed he was actually defending himself — Brantley is now a clear value selection for Cleveland.

Extensions and restructures:

Joel Bitonio, G: Extended through 2022. Five years, $50MM. $17,164,777 guaranteed.
Christian Kirksey, LB: Extended through 2021. Four years, $38MM. $14.797MM guaranteed.

Joel Bitonio missed most of the the 2016 season with a Lisfranc injury, but the Browns still saw fit to lock him up for five additional years. His $10MM annual salary makes him the league’s highest-paid left guard, but Cleveland can easily get out of the contract after 2018 if Bitonio struggles with more injuries or simply doesn’t play well. While Bitonio was guaranteed more than $17MM, all of that total is in the form of base salary and a roster bonus. As such, the Browns could release Bitonio after the 2018 campaign with no dead money accelerating onto their cap.

Like Bitonio, Christian Kirksey was a valuable mid-round pick in 2014 Browns draft that’s become more known for its first-round busts (Justin Gilbert and Johnny Manziel say hello). In his third NFL season, Kirksey posted 143 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and three passes defensed, while grading as the NFL’s No. 20 linebacker, according to PFF. He was also extremely durable, as he played nearly every defensive snap (99.8%) for the Browns last year.

Other:

Hired Gregg Williams as defensive coordinator to replace Ray Horton.
Claimed OL Marcus Martin off waivers from the 49ers.
Claimed WR James Wright off waivers from the Bengals.
Signed 11 undrafted rookie free agents.

Top 10 cap charges for 2017:

Brock Osweiler, QB: $16,000,000
Joe Haden, CB: $14,400,000
Joel Bitonio, G: $12,237,813
Jamie Collins, LB: $12,100,000
Joe Thomas, T: $11,500,000
Kevin Zeitler, G: $8,400,000
Kenny Britt, WR: $5,625,000
Myles Garrett, DE: $5,529,501
Christian Kirksey, LB: $5,162,625
Desmond Bryant, DL: $4,000,000

The Browns aren’t likely to contend for the postseason in 2017 — the betting site Bovada.lv has Cleveland’s win total pegged at 4.5 — but the club is moving in the right direction. Through smart trades, key free agent signings, and wise draft picks, the Browns have set forth a path that should enable them to emerge with a winning roster at some point down the line.

Information from Over the Cap and Roster Resource was used in the creation of this post. Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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Latest On Browns, Jabrill Peppers

July 10th, 2017 at 9:29am CST by Zach Links

Browns first rounder Jabrill Peppers is still without a contract. One of the primary reasons for that is because the two sides are still negotiating over the amount of guaranteed money in the deal, a league source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Rumors.

It might be easier for a deal to come together if Gareon Conley, the Raiders’ first round pick at No. 24, had his deal done. Without direct comps on either side of the Michigan product, there is a lot open to interpretation. Giants tight end Evan Engram (No. 23 overall) has a $1.55MM guarantee for his fourth season. Meanwhile, at No. 26, Falcons defensive end Takkarist McKinley is guaranteed just $900K. Peppers’ reps are probably pushing for something close to Engram’s fourth-year guarantee while the Browns see McKinley as the better comp.

Florio notes that last year’s No. 25 overall pick, Steelers cornerback Artie Burns, received an $800K roster bonus due on the third day of training camp in his fourth year in lieu of a partial guarantee. Peppers, based on that precedent, could be pushing for the same thing.

There are still seven unsigned first round picks as of this writing with five of those players in the top 10.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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Hue Jackson Not On A Short Leash

July 9th, 2017 at 9:32am CST by Rory Parks

The Browns finished 1-15 last season, and most think they will be lucky to get to six or seven wins in 2017, but Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com says head coach Hue Jackson is not on a short leash. The team’s front office realizes it was again looking at a multi-year overhaul when it hired Jackson, and Jackson will get a chance to see it through (assuming he wants to, of course).

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Browns Notes: Jackson, Coleman, Ogbah

July 8th, 2017 at 5:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

Compared to the management strategies of most of their NFL contemporaries, the Bengals have shown considerable patience with Marvin Lewis. He’s entering Year 15 in Cincinnati in search of the franchise’s first playoff win in 26 years. But a scenario where Lewis is gone by 2018 opens the door for speculation about the revival of the Hue Jackson succession plan that once existed in the Queen City. The Browns brought Jackson in to shepherd one of the league’s most memorable rebuilding efforts after the aforementioned Cincinnati plan never materialized, but the franchise having shown little patience with coaches since rebooting opens the door to questions about if Jackson would take over the Bengals next year if given the opportunity. The AFC North crew at ESPN.com’s NFL Nation is not buying into it, however.

Jeremy Fowler acknowledges it’s an intriguing proposition and said Jackson would be “foolish” not to consider it, but he expects the former Bengals OC to stay in Cleveland. This is all contingent on the new Browns front office showing patience and not firing Jackson, and Katherine Terrell notes this opportunity probably doesn’t come to fruition, writing that the Jackson-replaces-Lewis window closed after he ventured to northeast Ohio.

Here’s the latest from Cleveland.

The Browns made a first-round investment in Cameron Erving in 2015, but it hasn’t worked out as the team hoped. J.C. Tretter signed and will take over at center, and the Browns shuttled Erving to right tackle. But he might not be the leader in the clubhouse to take over there. Second-year tackle Shon Coleman looks like the frontrunner to start here come training camp, Dan Labbe of cleveland.com notes. With teams are increasingly putting top pass rushers across from right tackles, Labbe writes this position battle could throw a wrench in the major financial commitment the Browns made to fortifying the interior of their line this offseason. A 2016 third-rounder out of Auburn, Coleman played in seven games but started none as a rookie. Erving started at left tackle for two full seasons at Florida State before moving inside and entering the NFL at center. Erving finished last season at right tackle, and this forthcoming battle with Coleman figures to be a key point in his career.
Now that Myles Garrett is in the fold, Carl Nassib looks like a second-unit player, per Labbe. Defensive line coach Clyde Simmons recently referred to Emmanuel Ogbah as a “classic left end,” which points to the 2016 second-rounder having a natural spot there in Cleveland’s new 4-3 look opposite the more pass-rushing-geared Garrett. Nassib, a third-round choice, would compete for time behind them. That might not be as open and shut as it seems, with Desmond Bryant and Nate Orchard stationed at end as well. Bryant also could fit as a tackle, having played both with the Raiders. The 6-foot-7 Nassib recorded 2.5 sacks last season.
Joe Schobert started four games in Ray Horton‘s 3-4 scheme as a rookie, but Gregg Williams‘ 4-3 look might not have much room for the linebacker. Now that the Browns are going to play more nickel sets, Schobert won’t be seeing much time since cornerstone ‘backers Jamie Collins and Christian Kirksey will function in those roles. Labbe writes that Schobert’s primary role this season will be on special teams.

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Myles Garrett Seemingly Recovering From Foot Injury

July 8th, 2017 at 11:37am CST by Ben Levine

Browns top overall pick Myles Garrett suffered a left lateral foot sprain during last month’s mandatory minicamp. While there were some questions whether the defensive end would be ready for training camp, a recent tweet by the player should hush any pessimism.

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Poll: Who Should Browns Start At Quarterback?

July 2nd, 2017 at 7:23pm CST by Sam Robinson

Hue Jackson identified the goal to name a starting quarterback by the Browns’ preseason opener. While that might be ambitious given that the team again brought in multiple new pieces to vie for this job, that date is approaching fast. And Cleveland boasts one of the more NFL’s more interesting quarterback competitions.

The Cody Kessler-vs.-DeShone Kizer-vs.-Brock Osweiler battle brings disparate profiles. While the Browns aren’t exactly in position to challenge for a playoff spot now, they spent an offseason loading up on long-term deals for when they are. So, establishing a quarterback now will be important.

Kessler entered the Browns’ offseason program as the man to beat here. The former USC passer and 2016 third-rounder was thrust into action midway through last season after injuries befell both players in front of him.

Although he obviously did not win any games, going 0-8 as a starter, the 6-foot-1 Kessler fared decently for a player viewed as more of a developmental project. He completed 66 percent of his passes and threw six touchdown passes compared to two interceptions despite the Browns not having much in the way of skill-position depth.

Kizer, though, closed the gap during OTAs and minicamp. The Browns having made a second-round investment in the former Notre Dame signal-caller positions him well in the quarterback-of-the-future discussion. The team is not interested in the 6-4 player sitting just to sit this season, with Jackson saying he will play if he’s ready.

Viewed as relatively raw and coming with the kind of questions his 2017 rookie-QB peers also had, the 21-year-old Kizer may benefit from observing for a bit. But he’s not exactly blocked by a proven player, so Jackson may want to get him reps soon. Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot saw Kizer show superior physical skills during OTAs compared to the other quarterbacks, and QBs coach David Lee said the rookie has a bright NFL future.

The obvious wild card here after arriving in one of the weirdest trades in NFL history, Osweiler has impressed thus far. He brings the most experience, even if no action of consequence occurred until his fourth season, but is a polarizing presence after the way the Texans season unfolded.

Osweiler is being paid $16MM this year as part of the agreement with the Texans, and he helped the 2015 Broncos secure home-field advantage en route to their Super Bowl title. But after his Denver audition had peaks and valleys, the 26-year-old passer bombed in Houston, throwing 16 interceptions and limiting the Texans’ offense. Lee is working on refining the 6-7 quarterback’s three-quarters delivery, and Cabot notes he is a viable threat to start in Week 1.

Kessler probably has the best handle on Jackson’s system, with Kizer having a higher upside as of now. One anonymous exec still thinks the Browns will find a way to trade Osweiler before the season. The team tried to do so after acquiring him, making Osweiler’s chances at securing the job interesting. But he also isn’t facing the kind of steep odds most backup-type passers are around the league. Kevin Hogan is also on the team, and Jackson said he would receive first-team reps, but the 2016 fifth-rounder is not likely to be a serious candidate come camp.

So, who will win this job? Did Kessler show enough on a 1-15 team last season to earn another opportunity? Or will Jackson throw Kizer into the fire despite his age and seeming need for development? How much of a chance do you give Osweiler here? Vote in PFR’s latest poll and weigh in with your thoughts in the comments section.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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Hue Jackson Would Like To Name Starting QB By Preseason Opener

July 2nd, 2017 at 12:26pm CST by Rory Parks

Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer says Browns head coach Hue Jackson would like to name a starting QB prior to the August 10 preseason opener, but that he may need to see some live action first, especially now that rookie DeShone Kizer has narrowed the gap between himself and Cody Kessler.

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Offset Language Holding Up Jabrill Peppers Contract?

June 25th, 2017 at 1:30pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Jabrill Peppers is one of only 11 2017 draft choices who has yet to sign his rookie deal, and offset language is likely to blame for the contractual holdup with the Browns, as Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com writes. Offset language, as a reminder, can allow a player to “double dip” if he’s waived by his original club, as it enables him to collect a salary from a new team without that total being offset. Neither of Cleveland’s other two first-round picks — defensive end Myles Garrett and tight end David Njoku — were able to remove offset language from their deals, so the Browns are likely attempting to maintain precedent with Peppers.

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