Browns Sign Denzel Ward To Rookie Deal
The Browns have officially signed rookie cornerback Denzel Ward. With the No. 4 overall pick in the fold, the Browns have wrapped their entire draft class. 
Ward was widely projected to go in the first half of the first round of this year’s draft, but few expected him to go No.4 overall to the Browns. However, new GM John Dorsey was intent on overhauling the team’s secondary, and Ward is a huge piece of the puzzle.
Ward projects to start at cornerback opposite of free agent pickup T.J. Carrie. They’ll be supported by newcomer E.J. Gaines and possibly other fresh faces in Terrance Mitchell and sixth-round pick Simeon Thomas.
Here’s the complete rundown of the Browns’ draft class, via PFR’s tracker:
- 1-1: Baker Mayfield, QB (Oklahoma): Signed
- 1-4: Denzel Ward, CB (Ohio State): Signed:
- 2-33: Austin Corbett, T (Nevada): Signed
- 2-35: Nick Chubb, RB (Georgia): Signed
- 3-67: Chad Thomas, DE (Miami): Signed
- 4-105: Antonio Callaway, WR (Florida): Signed
- 5-150: Genard Avery, LB (Memphis): Signed
- 6-175: Damion Ratley, WR (Texas A&M): Signed
- 6-188: Simeon Thomas, CB (Louisiana-Lafayette): Signed
Browns Sign Baker Mayfield
The Browns have signed quarterback and No. 1 overall selection Baker Mayfield, the club announced today.
According to Over the Cap, Mayfield’s four-year deal should be worth roughly $32.683MM in total, and will also give Cleveland a fifth-year option season in 2022. Mayfield will collect a ~$21.849MM signing bonus, and count for approximately $5.942MM on the Browns’ 2018 salary cap.
Mayfield had been one of only six 2018 draft picks without a contract in place, and offset language was reportedly holding up the 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. Mayfield’s pact does indeed contain offset language, tweets Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.
Even after using the first overall pick on Mayfield, the Browns have been adamant that veteran Tyrod Taylor — whom Cleveland acquired from Buffalo for the cost of the 65th overall selection — will be the club’s Week 1 starter. Still, the Browns, who face a difficult opening schedule, could conceivably insert Mayfield under center later in the season.
Cleveland still has one more draft pick to sign in cornerback Denzel Ward, the fourth overall pick in April’s draft.
Could Browns Sign Dez Bryant?
Could the Browns entertain the idea of signing Dez Bryant? In the wake of Josh Gordon‘s latest setback, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (video link) wonders aloud if the Browns could call on Bryant to fill the void. The Browns certainly have the cap space to sign Bryant, but it’s not immediately clear whether there’s interest or whether Gordon’s situation will necessitate a signing. For now, all we know is that the Browns have placed Gordon on the NFI list and he is not under suspension from the NFL. Not yet, at least.
Latest On Josh Gordon, Browns
Believed to finally be navigating a quiet offseason, Josh Gordon re-entered the headline circuit Monday and is away from the Browns for the time being. He resides on the non-football illness list.
While it’s another setback for the talented receiver, the Browns are sticking by Gordon as he deals with this latest obstacle. The reasoning for Gordon’s delay in being deemed ready for Cleveland’s training camp is not known, but NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said (via Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com) the former All-Pro wideout has no return timetable.
The understanding at this point is that the 27-year-old wide receiver is in some type of rehab facility, Cabot said during an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show (Twitter link), adding that it would then be up to medical personnel and counselors to determine when Gordon can return. She confirms a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter indicating Gordon is not believed to have failed a drug test.
The consequences of a failed test would dire for Gordon, who would likely face an indefinite suspension and possibly see his NFL career end given what’s happened over the past four years. Gordon can be tested up to 10 times per month. He admitted hard drug use occurred during his first NFL stint as well as during his time at Baylor. Cabot wonders if Gordon found himself on somewhat shaky ground regarding a relapse. He had stayed near the Browns facility in Berea, Ohio, until last month, Cabot reports.
Gordon’s last known stint in rehab came in September 2017. The NFL reinstated him in November of last year, and he returned for the Browns’ final five games. He averaged 18.6 yards per catch despite operating in a passing attack that struggled throughout last season.
Gordon is expected to be a starter for the Browns in 2018.
“We will continue to support Josh as he receives the care needed to maintain his progress,” John Dorsey said. “We’re going to respect his privacy while he’s away from the team.”
Bashaud Breeland To Visit Colts, Browns
Bashaud Breeland recently left his Raiders visit without a contract, and it’s becoming clearer why he’s interested in seeing what else is out there.
Because in addition to a Chiefs visit scheduled for Tuesday, both the Colts and Browns have scheduled meetings with the free agent cornerback for this week, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com tweets.
Should the four-year veteran indeed take all of these visits, it will add up to a six-city tour over a five-month period this offseason. He agreed to a deal with the Panthers for three years and $24MM, but a foot injury nixed that. The Cardinals then went in a different direction, a Jamar Taylor trade, following their meeting with Breeland.
This, however, would mark the second time Breeland will have met with the Colts this year. Indianapolis brought him in for a May meeting, but that appeared to be more of an exploratory powwow. Now, it would seem the Colts would be more interested in an agreement. The Colts have kept tabs on Breeland since, Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star reports (on Twitter), but he still doesn’t envision a signing.
The Colts lost Rashaan Melvin to the Raiders in free agency and did not make a notable investment at this position this offseason. They have second-year second-rounder Quincy Wilson tabbed to start on one side. Former UDFA Kenny Moore made five starts last season as well. A 2017 fifth-rounder, Nate Hairston is in the mix, and Indy also has veteran Pierre Desir coming to camp. Breeland has started more games (58) than the Colts’ current corners have combined.
Cleveland, meanwhile, has overhauled its cornerback contingent this year. Denzel Ward, T.J. Carrie, E.J. Gaines and Terrance Mitchell join incumbents Briean Boddy-Calhoun and Mike Jordan. Howard Wilson, a fourth-rounder last year, is set to miss another full season due to injury. The Browns also drafted Louisiana-Lafayette’s Simeon Thomas in Round 6.
The Browns, however, were interested in Breeland prior to his foot injury in March. And with the former second-rounder still being available as training camps commence, he probably won’t cost as much as he would have then. However, the latest entrants into the Breeland derby have money to spend. The Browns (with an NFL-most $69MM in cap space) obviously don’t lack for available funds. The Colts sit second with $50MM-plus.
Chiefs Rumors: Mahomes, Rogers, Ford, OL
Being a first-year starting quarterback, Patrick Mahomes will bring some risk to the Chiefs‘ outlook Alex Smith did not. But the potential reward looks to be much greater. Andy Reid acknowledges the 2017 first-round pick will experience the usual issues adjusting to NFL starter life, but the sixth-year Chiefs coach made it clear he doesn’t want to deprive Mahomes of playmaking opportunities his skill set could create.
“You surely don’t want to stifle that at all. One thing that he is blessed with is he has good vision, so you don’t ever want to stifle that and put him in a box with that. Allow him to see,” Reid said from Chiefs training camp in St. Joseph, Mo. “Is there going to be a hiccup here or there? Yeah there’s going to be a hiccup here or there, but you don’t want to stifle that at all.”
Reid added that Mahomes, viewed as a raw but potentially special arm talent out of Texas Tech as a prospect last year, is farther along this year compared to where Smith was in 2013. With the addition of Sammy Watkins, the Chiefs have also outfitted Mahomes with a better collection of skill-position talent than Smith (or possibly any previous Kansas City quarterback) received.
Here’s the latest out of western Missouri:
- While the Chiefs’ offense looks capable of being one of the NFL’s best units, Kansas City’s defense has plenty of questions. A key one will be the status of their injury-prone edge rushers. Justin Houston enters camp healthy and is signed long-term, but Dee Ford may only be back because an injury left him unable to pass a March physical. His $8.718MM fifth-year option vested, but Ford realizes he’s under pressure to perform this season after a career that’s seen just one productive year (2016, when he had a Chiefs-most 10 sacks). The Chiefs also drafted edge defenders in each of the past two second rounds, in Tanoh Kpassagnon and Breeland Speaks (the latter of whom K.C. traded up to acquire). “Everyone’s seen flashes of what I can do. This is the opportunity to really (show it) for 16 games,” Ford said, via Adam Teicher of ESPN.com. “In order to be a great player you have to be consistent. You can’t just be good (like 2016 in) those first 10 games or so before I got hurt. Everybody was like, ‘That’s the guy we expected,’ and then I got hurt. … This is the time to put it all together.”
- Eli Rogers left his Chiefs visit Monday without a deal, Field Yates of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter). Rogers will now meet with the Browns, who have his three-year OC on staff in Todd Haley. The Raiders have also scheduled a summit with the slot receiver. Behind Watkins and Tyreek Hill, the Chiefs employ Chris Conley, Demarcus Robinson, Jehu Chesson and the recently re-signed De’Anthony Thomas.
- Despite a 2016 ACL tear hijacking both of Parker Ehinger‘s first two NFL seasons, he still might be the frontrunner to work as the Chiefs’ starting left guard, Nate Taylor of The Athletic writes (subscription required). A fourth-round pick out of Cincinnati two years ago, Ehinger opened his rookie year as a starter but missed all but one game last season. Bryan Witzmann and Jordan Devey represent his primary competitors, per Taylor, who adds that Cameron Erving could linger here as well if he cannot unseat fourth-year center Mitch Morse.
- Like Ford, Spencer Ware‘s been cleared to begin training camp without a PUP list stay, but the 2016 starter won’t automatically be given the backup job, per Taylor. Charcandrick West remains a factor and scored four touchdowns as Kareem Hunt‘s backup last season. West and Ware will battle for the backup role, just as they did in 2015 when they vied for time behind a then-healthy Jamaal Charles.
Lions, Browns Audition Jude Adjei-Barimah
Jude Adjei-Barimah is on the workout circuit. This week, the cornerback audition for the Browns and Lions, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times tweets. 
[RELATED: Lions Unlikely To Keep 3 Quarterbacks]
The former Bucs corner a combined 62 tackles in 2015 and 2016. Last year, he missed the entire season with a knee injury. Barimah, who just turned 26, was medically cleared shortly before he was non-tendered by the Bucs in February. We haven’t heard his name much in recent months, but he could be on the verge of finding work.
Adjei-Barimiah averaged 53% playtime on defense for the Bucs and played on roughly a third of the their special teams during his two seasons with the club. Whether he signs with the Browns or Lions or another team, he’ll likely be ticketed for lots of ST work.
Browns Sticking With Josh Gordon
Josh Gordon is dealing with some sort of setback, but the Browns have no plans to move on from him, a source tells Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (on Twitter). On the whole, Pelissero hears that Gordon has had a great offseason while demonstrating that he is “on his way to recovery.”
[RELATED: Browns Place Gordon On NFI List]
The circumstances leading to Gordon’s absence from the start of training camp are still not quite clear. The NFL says that Gordon is not under suspension and the wide receiver did not have any slip ups or failed tests, sources tell Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). However, the team has placed him on the NFI list and the league hasn’t explicitly denied that Gordon has run afoul of the substance abuse policy.
Schefter hears Gordon’s “leave is a pro-active, defensive gesture to get extra counseling to try to ensure he does not have any of the setbacks that have marked his past.” Only time will tell whether that’s truly the case, but for now, the Browns remain committed to keeping the talented wide receiver in the fold.
Browns Place Josh Gordon On NFI List
Josh Gordon will not be with the Browns as training camp gets underway. Details are murky at this time, but what we do know is that Gordon has not been suspended by the NFL – at least not yet.
There is currently “no timetable for his return,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. McCarthy added that the league will “address the matter at the appropriate time.”
For now, Gordon will be placed on the non-football illness reserve list until he is ready to return, GM John Dorsey announced. For his part, Gordon released a statement indicating that the camp absence is a part of his treatment program:
To my Cleveland Browns and NFL Family,
I am reaching out to you all personally and letting you know that I am not only doing great physically but mentally as well. You will notice that I will not be in Cleveland for the start of training camp. Rest assured, this, too, is a part of my overall health and treatment plan. I appreciate the awesome support I have received from teammates, friends, fans, and the Browns organization. Just like you, I am excited to start the season and I have every intention of being ready and available to join my teammates soon to help bring winning football to our fans.
With the help of the NFL, NFLPA, and the Browns’ organization, I have been able to utilize the resources available to me that will ensure my well-being on and off the field. By continuing to follow the plan set up by our medical director and his team and taking this time before this season starts, we believe it will help me maintain the progress I’ve made for not only today but for many years to come.
Thank you all for your patience, love, and support! Go Browns!
Sincerely,
Josh Gordon
Gordon first joined the Browns as a second-round pick in the 2012 supplemental draft. All in all, he has appeared in 40 games and recorded 179 receptions for 3,089 yards and 15 touchdowns. In 2013, he led the league with 1,646 receiving yards.
When he’s on the field, he’s one of the best wide receivers in the game. However, off-the-field troubles have kept him off the gridiron for much of his career. If Gordon violated the league’s substance abuse policy again, there could be a lengthy suspension coming his way.
Only Seven Unsigned NFL Draft Picks Remain
The overwhelming majority of this year’s NFL draft picks have signed their rookies deals. As training camp gets started, only the following seven players are without contracts:
- Browns, 1-1: Baker Mayfield, QB (Oklahoma)
- Jets, 1-3: Sam Darnold, QB (USC)
- Browns, 1-4: Denzel Ward, CB (Ohio State)
- Bills, 1-7: Josh Allen, QB (Wyoming)
- Bears, 1-8: Roquan Smith, LB (Georgia)
- Steelers, 1-28: Terrell Edmunds, S (Virginia Tech)
- 49ers, 2-44: Dante Pettis, WR (Washington)
For Mayfield, Darnold, Ward, Allen, and Smith, the holdup is reportedly tied to offset language. Players with offset language who are cut before the end of their rookie contract have the remaining guaranteed money reduced by whatever they earns elsewhere. Without offset language, players get to double dip. Top 10 picks expect to complete their rookie contracts, but it’s an important issue for agents nonetheless. There’s no sign of real acrimony between any of the Top 10 picks and their respective teams, though Smith has been staying away from the Bears.
In Edmunds’ case, it’s likely that his agent is haggling over guarantees in the fourth year of his rookie contract. First-rounders selected near the end of the first round often don’t get the entirety of their fourth season base salary guaranteed, but that’s an area where agents can press for a bit extra in talks. Seahawks rookie running back Rashaad Penny took less in fourth-year guarantees than last year’s No. 27 overall pick, talks dragged for several other players near the back end of the round. Others, such as Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley and Jaguars defensive tackle Taven Bryan have signed, but the Virginia Tech product is still in limbo.
Pettis is believed to be in line for a significant role this season, so it would behoove the Niners to get a deal done sooner rather than later.