Browns-centric NFL Combine takeaways start with fast defensive linemen
INDIANAPOLIS — Everyone arrives at the circus excited to see something. Some like the lions, others may favor the trapeze artists.
Similarly, every team arrives at the NFL’s own version of the circus — the Scouting Combine — looking for something a little different. They may watch everything, but their interest may be focused on a few things more than others.
The centerpiece of this year’s Combine, which concluded Sunday, was the quarterbacks. That’s usually how it goes, but Bryce Young’s size, Will Levis’ arm, C.J. Stroud’s accuracy and Anthony Richardson’s overall freak-show abilities provides a little extra sizzle there.
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Unless you were the Browns, who didn’t come to Indianapolis looking for a quarterback. They hope they — it’s more like, need to — have their quarterback already on the roster in the form of Deshaun Watson.
However, the Browns still came to the Combine with some areas in which they were going to take a good, long look. If for no other reason than to set up how they proceed through the remainder of draft season.
With the Combine now over, it’s time to look back through the lens of the Browns’ needs at some takeaways from the event.
Nolan Smith, Calijah Kancey and a bunch of fast defensive linemen
It was quite fitting the first positional group to work through the Combine was the defensive linemen. That’s also the No. 1 area where the Browns are extremely lacking.