The Browns Must Build Offense Around Robert Griffin III

Though he may only be signed to a 2-year deal, the Browns would be smart to begin building their offense around Robert Griffin III.

The NFL Draft is quickly approaching and the Cleveland Browns have a big decision to make.

Either they select Jared Goff or Carson Wentz – potential franchise quarterbacks – or they look elsewhere to fill one of the various holes on their talent-stricken roster.

Cleveland took a step in the right direction on Mar. 24 when the team signed Robert Griffin III to a two-year, $15 million deal.

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It’s well documented what the much-maligned 26-year-old went through in Washington. The injuries, constant questioning of character, and the public controversies that occurred effectively ended his time as a member of the Redskins.

So, after such severe career turbulence, Griffin finally gets a nice fresh start with quarterback guru Hue Jackson in Cleveland.

And start he shall – or should – for the Browns.

Griffin still has what it takes to make it in the league and he’s a vastly better option than any signal-caller available in the draft. If the team took either Wentz or Goff with the No. 2 selection, which many believe Cleveland is going to do regardless of Griffin’s presence, they’d be wasting their pick on someone who is simply not ready to start this season.

Rather than prematurely drafting a quarterback, the Browns would be wise to focus on building their offense around their recent signee.

Though the offensive line may have been nearly reduced to nothingness after losing Mitchell Schwartz – Pro Football Focus’ second highest rated right tackle in 2015 – and center Alex Mack to free agency, there are a handful of pieces in place that’d make for an intriguing offense with Griffin under center.

Running backs Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson Jr. mirror Jackson’s dynamic backs in Cincinnati – Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard. Johnson is a versatile pass-catcher, but Griffin’s former Baylor teammate Josh Gordon would provide a huge boost to the receiving corps if he’s reinstated by Roger Goodell.

RG3’s best friend may actually end up being 2015 breakout tight end Gary Barnidge. At 6-foot-6, 250 pounds, there are few better go-to targets in the NFL.

There are a handful of pieces in place that would make for an intriguing offense with Griffin under center.

Outside of the current talent on the roster, rolling with Griffin allows the team to work on other positions of weakness, particularly on defense. Potential future All-Pros Jalen Ramsey, Joey Bosa, and DeForest Buckner are all expected to be available when the Browns are on the clock.

There is just no need to reach for a quarterback in the first round with Griffin now on board, especially given Jackson’s long history of getting the most out his passers – more recently AJ McCarron.

Cleveland’s best choice is to pass on the likes of Wentz and Goff early on and instead build around a player that’s yearning to redeem himself with an organization that’s equally as desperate.

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The Browns Must Build Their Offense Around Robert Griffin III

By Kyle Sumner McKinnon | Mar 31, 2016

Though he may only be signed to a 2-year deal, the Browns would be smart to begin building their offense around Robert Griffin III.

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