Mayfield Has "Exceeded Expectations" In Camp
- Browns coach Hue Jackson acknowledged that number one overall pick Baker Mayfield has “exceeded expectations” so far in camp, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. Kay Cabot notes that Mayfield “has yet to throw a pick in camp.” Jackson has insisted all along that Tyrod Taylor will be his starter, but it sounds like Mayfield could be pushing for the job sooner rather than later.
Mychal Kendricks Still Limited With Browns
- As expected, Mychal Kendricks saw his first Browns action as a weak-side linebacker, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal notes. Recovering from offseason ankle surgery, the former Eagles ‘backer is participating on a limited basis for now. Ulrich suggests Kendricks may be a super-sub, working at all three Browns linebacker spots while Christian Kirksey, Jamie Collins and Joe Schobert retain their first-string roles.
Jimmy Haslam Giving Hue Jackson A Clean Slate, Or Putting Him On Notice?
- Browns owner Jimmy Haslam expressed unwavering support of head coach Hue Jackson during Haslam’s traditional training camp address yesterday. Per Tony Grossi of ESPN 850 WKNR, Haslam said, “I think we will see the real Hue Jackson (this year). He has good quarterbacks, he has some skill players, he has veteran offensive line – now, we have to figure out left tackle – and three really good backs and a good defense. I think this will be the first opportunity Hue will have to do what we know he can do as head coach and as a leader. We are excited to see it.” That certainly sounds to some, like Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, that Jackson is getting a clean slate, which is quite surprising for a head coach who has compiled a 1-31 record over his two seasons with the club. But Grossi suggests that the Haslams could also be subtly putting Jackson on notice that he is out of excuses.
Roger Goodell May Need To Approve Josh Gordon's Browns Reinstatement
Josh Gordon‘s present designation with the Browns is on the reserve/did not report list. The Browns likely could not have placed the 27-year-old pass-catcher on the non-football illness list, since he would have had to fail a physical for that to occur. While Gordon does not currently count toward Cleveland’s 90-man roster, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk cautions the wideout’s road back to the team may not be a matter of him merely returning to Berea, Ohio. Gordon may have to have Roger Goodell approve his request for Browns reinstatement, Florio reports. The reasoning behind this is Goodell OK’d a Gordon return last year under the terms of a treatment plan, with Florio adding that possible Goodell approval would center around whether or not the embattled receiver has violated the terms of that plan. Gordon’s believed to be at a Gainesville, Fla., treatment facility. He spent 90 days in a Gainesville rehab center last fall. While Florio doesn’t expect Goodell to stand in the way of a Gordon return, he would have the right to suspend Gordon for another year under the substance-abuse policy.
Jimmy Haslam did not comment when asked Saturday if the NFL needed to approve Gordon’s Browns reinstatement, and Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer notes the league has not provided clarity on this situation yet. Haslam added he does not have a timetable for Gordon’s return.
- Greg Robinson resides in the Browns‘ concussion protocol, Hue Jackson said Saturday (via Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal, on Twitter). The Browns brought the former No. 2 overall pick this offseason. He has a clearer path to the 53-man roster now that Donald Stephenson has retired, but Robinson has not proven reliable during his four-year career.
Browns, Dez Bryant Have ‘Mutual Interest’
Dez Bryant may finally be close to finding a home. Bryant and the Browns have “mutual interest” according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (Twitter link). Rapoport adds that the team is “working on scheduling a visit with him” and that the visit could be on Monday, “if not sooner.” Rapoport seems to think there’s a real chance a deal gets done, saying “this could be a match.”
It was reported two days ago that the Browns were mulling the possibility of pursuing Bryant, and things now appear to be heating up. The market for Bryant has been shockingly quiet since he was cut by the Cowboys earlier this offseason. There were some murmurs about him and the 49ers, but ultimately nothing materialized.
Weeks ago, our Zach Links asked readers in a poll where they thought Bryant would end up. Readers chose the 49ers, with the Patriots coming in second. The Browns seemingly came out of nowhere, with the the team not being linked to Bryant at all before that report two days ago.
If he does end up in Cleveland, Bryant would be joining a crowded wide receiver room. The Browns acquired Jarvis Landry in a trade with the Dolphins and signed him to a longterm extension in April. They also drafted Antonio Callaway in the fourth round of this year’s draft and still have 2016 first-rounder Corey Coleman. The sudden interest in Bryant could be a sign that the team is more concerned about Josh Gordon than they initially let on. Gordon recently left the team to seek continued counseling for his prior substance abuse issues.
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/27/18
Today’s minor moves:
Chicago Bears
- Signed WR Malachi Jones
- Waived: WR Matt Fleming
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: WR Blake Jackson, DL Zaycoven Henderson
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: DT Mike Purcell
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: DT Adam Reth
Browns Work Out Adam Jones
The Browns will try out Bengals free agent cornerback Adam Jones on Friday, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). 
Jones, 35 in September, hasn’t been in the news much this offseason, save for his recent Atlanta airport fight (If you missed it, Jones won via knockout). It turns out that a lingering injury has kept him from auditioning for clubs.
“I had groin surgery the week after the Super Bowl,” Jones said in May. “I’m finally 100 percent from that, just got cleared by the doctors. Running full speed. Have been in contact with several teams, I expect it to pick up in the coming weeks.”
Jones was limited to just nine games with the Bengals in 2017, and didn’t fare particularly well in 299 defensive snaps. Pro Football Focus assigned Jones the worst mark (47.1) of his entire career, although he performed relatively better in recent years. Aside from his work on defense, Jones can also be a factor in the kicking game, as he’s posted more than 300 combined kick and punt returns during his NFL tenure.
The Browns’ new look secondary features three new starters – free safety Damarious Randall and cornerbacks T.J. Carrie and Denzel Ward – plus new reserve corners E.J. Gaines and Terrance Mitchell. The Browns have shown a willingness to shake things up, but they have also placed an emphasis on their locker room culture. Given Jones’ off-the-field history, it’s hard to say whether the Browns are serious about signing him.
Browns Notes: Landry, Gordon, Ward
The Browns plan to use Jarvis Landry, who ran 72.7% of his routes from the slot with Miami in 2017, as a part-time outside receiver during the upcoming season, as Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com writes. Landry will almost assuredly still move inside in three-wide sets, and given the NFL’s ever-expanding use of “11” personnel (one back, one tight end, three wideouts), Landry will still see plenty of time in the slot. But the Browns seem intent on using Landry in a slightly different fashion, as Cabot reports Cleveland will send Landry on deep routes in Todd Haley‘s offense.
- When asked whether Josh Gordon will play for the Browns in 2018, general manager John Dorsey said “Yeah, I would think, absolutely,” per Cabot (Twitter link). It’s difficult to parse the words of a team executive, and even more difficult when it comes to a player with a history of off-field issues, but Dorsey’s answer wasn’t exactly a ringing endorsement of Gordon. Gordon did not report for training camp, and while it’s not believed that he failed another drug test, he’s thought to be in a rehab facility. With Gordon’s status in question, Cleveland is considering an addition of veteran wideout Dez Bryant.
- The Browns inserted offset language into Baker Mayfield‘s rookie contract, and fellow first-rounder Denzel Ward made the same concession, according to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal. Ward, the fourth overall pick in the 2018 draft, likely didn’t have much of an argument after Mayfield — the No. 1 overall selection — accepted offset language in his deal. Players with offset language in their contracts who are cut before the end of their rookie deals have their remaining guaranteed money reduced by what they earn elsewhere.
Browns’ Ricardo Louis Done For Season
Browns wide receiver Ricardo Louis will not be able to suit up this season due to a neck injury that has not improved after surgery, head coach Hue Jackson told reporters on Wednesday. The Browns will place Louis on injured reserve, potentially leaving them without two key wide receivers to start the year. 
Already, the Browns were without star Josh Gordon this week after he suffered a setback in his recovery from substance abuse. With Gordon in limbo and Louis sidelined, Browns GM John Dorsey says that he is considering out-of-house options, including free agent wide receiver Dez Bryant.
Louis had 27 catches for 357 yards last season, a solid follow up to his 18 catches for 205 yards as a rookie. After sitting out the 2018 season, he’ll have two more years to go on his contract with Cleveland.
Minus Gordon and Louis, the Browns’ receiver group is projected to include Jarvis Landry, Corey Coleman, Rashard Higgins, Antonio Callaway, and potentially Jeff Janis and sixth-round pick Damion Ratley.
Browns Considering Dez Bryant
Dez Bryant is on the Browns’ radar. Bryant has been discussed as a potential signing by team brass, Browns GM John Dorsey told reporters (Twitter link via Mary Kay Cabot of The Plain Dealer). 
[RELATED: Browns Sign Denzel Ward To Rookie Deal]
Dorsey says that he watched Bryant work out and came away impressed by his talent and passion for the game. With uncertainty surrounding Josh Gordon‘s wellbeing and availability for this season, the Browns could turn to the biggest free agent wide receiver left on the market.
Bryant, 29, hasn’t topped 1,000 yards receiving since 2014 and his 12.1 yards per reception in 2017 was the lowest average of his career. But, he can still post up opposing defensive backs near the end zone, and he has some extra motivation to get back to his old form. From 2012-2014, Bryant averaged 91 catches for 1,312 yards and 14 touchdowns for the Cowboys. The Browns would be satisfied with even 75% of that stat line on reasonably-priced one-year deal.
The Browns signed Jarvis Landry this offseason, giving them one of the game’s best wide receivers. Gordon, former first-round pick Corey Coleman, Ricardo Louis, and fourth-round pick Antonio Callaway round out the club’s top five.