Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku turns upfield after a reception tackled by Houston Texans cornerback Steven Nelson in the first half.CLEVELAND, Ohio — In this week’s edition of Hey, Mary Kay! I answer Browns questions about tight ends, Stefon Diggs, and more,Are the Browns going to sign or trade for a notable TE or 2? Or will they use the draft to acquire a young TE? — Casey Encalado, Perrysburg, OhioHey, Casey: The Browns could use another good pass-catching tight end to pair with David Njoku and Jordan Akins, who’s under contract through 2024. With 2020 fourth-round pick Harrison Bryant signing with the Raiders, the Browns will need to bolster the position.It’s not a great tight end draft, but the Browns can probably find one in a later round that they like. After the top tier, some of the more notable ones are Iowa’s Eric All, Colorado State’s Dallin Holker and Illinois’ Tip Rieman. The Browns will also keep their eyes open for bargain free-agent tight ends and those in the trade market.3 new Browns defenders I’m most intrigued to see in the offseason program: Ashley BastockEmotional end to Shane Bieber’s season personifies a heartbreaking year of Cleveland 3 questions remaining about the Browns’ roster ahead of the offseason program startingHey, Mary Kay:Why didn’t the Browns pursue Stefon Diggs? He could have given them a different skill set at the wide receiver position and another weapon for Watson. The Texans sent a sixth-round selection this year and fifth-round next year. Seems like a steal to me. — Mike Parker, Chester, MarylandHey, Mike: With these trades, it’s often as much about the financial compensation as it is the draft capital involved. In the case of Diggs, the Texans ripped up the final three years of his contract and will pay him just over $22 million in 2024. It’s essentially a one-year rental, with a chance for Diggs to hit the market in March, his first contract year. Besides, the Browns have already traded for former Broncos first-round pick Jerry Jeudy, which was their blockbuster move of the offseason.They then immediately extended Jeudy’s contract, giving him what amounts to a four-year deal through 2027 at about $16.25 million a year, including $41 guaranteed. If Jeudy performs up to his first-round status, the Browns will have gotten quite the bargain, with 2020 first-round classmates such as Justin Jefferson and CeeDee Lamb due to make about $30 million when they sign their extensions this offseason. The Browns feel good about their receiver room now, but might also draft one.Hey, Mary Kay:Why keep Greg Newsome II? He’s very inconsistent and the Browns could clear some salary cap room. I liked what I saw from Cam Mitchell. — Greg, Indianapolis.Hey, Greg: For starters, the Browns were happy with Newsome’s performance last season in his first year in Jim Schwartz’s defense. He embraced the slot role more than the year before and elevated his game. GM Andrew Berry also doesn’t give up on his draft picks easily, and will certainly allow Newsome to continue to develop. He’s a tremendous bargain in 2024 at a base salary of $2.398 million, and even his fifth-year option tender of $13.377 million for 2025 is not exorbitant for a good starting cornerback.The Browns are expected to pick that up by the May 2 deadline. The Browns subscribe to the notion that you can never have too many good cornerbacks, and they have four in Denzel Ward, Newsome, Martin Emerson Jr. and Mitchell. In 2023, Newsome tied with Ward as the 42nd-best cornerback in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus. Emerson was 63rd.Hey, Mary Kay:My question is a two-part. When will we know if and when the Browns will make a decision on a domed stadium? And do you think if Kevin Stefanski has a bad season will they move on from him and go with Mike Vrabel? Thanks. — Roosevelt Colson Jr., Twinsburg, OhioHey, Roosevelt: The Browns hope to make a decision on a domed stadium or renovation by the end of this year or as early in 2025 as possible. Time is starting to run short for either of the options, and they must act as quickly as possible. If they need more time, however, they can always try to renegotiate the lease, which ends in 2028.As for Stefanski, the Browns expect big things again from the reigning NFL Coach of the Year, and have no plans to replace him with Vrabel. The addition of Vrabel as a coaching and personnel consultant is a chance for him to remain in the game this season while he likely gets more head coaching opportunities in 2025.Hey, Mary Kay:Do the Browns trade back? If they do, what rounds do they gain? — Duane, Upper SanduskyHey, Duane: The Browns will be open to wheeling and dealing on draft day, as they always are. I think you can count on them making at least one trade on draft weekend, even if it’s just Berry somehow moving up from 243 and getting out the seventh round, which he doesn’t love.They have only five remaining picks after trading one of their fifths and one of their two sixths to the Broncos for Jerry Jeudy, and they don’t have a fourth-round pick this year. I could see Berry packaging some of the picks and trying to move up to the fourth round. Anything is possible.Hey Mary Kay:With not being able to draft in the first round the last two years due to the Deshaun Watson trade, do you see any scenario that the Browns would attempt to trade into the first round this year? Love the draft, but sitting out the first night’s picks makes for a long night. — Thanks, Jack Bodmer, Dayton, OhioHey, Jack: I don’t see the Browns trading into the first round because the price would be too high, namely one of their premier players. The roster is built to win now, and I don’t see Andrew Berry sacrificing a Pro Bowl-caliber player to move into the first round. I think they’re pretty happy with their current championship-caliber personnel, and will add some depth in the draft. I think they can wait one more year for that long-awaited first-round pick.
