The Cleveland Browns were able to overcome a lot of obstacles during the 2023 season to earn the top Wild Card spot. Despite starting five different players at quarterback, the Browns went 11-6, having one of the best seasons in franchise history.
Unfortunately, their season came to a screeching halt during Super Wild Card Weekend as they were eliminated by the Houston Texans. Despite the disappointing exit, the campaign as still a successful one for Cleveland.
Heading into the 2024 NFL offseason, they will be looking to make some upgrades to continue pushing forward. Better injury luck would go a long way for the Browns, who lost several key contributors to season-ending injuries.
NFL News & Rumors: David Bakhtiari, Green Bay Packers, Cleveland Browns Updates
Some of those injuries came along the offensive line, where head coach Kevin Stefanski was forced to go deep into the team’s depth. Addressing their depth issues this offseason should be near the top of their priority list.
Left tackle Jack Conklin had his 2023 campaign cut short by another devastating injury and could be a cap casualty as the team looks to save some money. Jedrick Wills Jr. struggled mightily and rookie Dewand Jones was a surprise contributor.
Without much money to spend, the Browns will have to get creative when addressing their depth issues. That could include taking some risks on players who are high risk and high reward that would come cheap in the offseason.
In the opinion of Max Dible of Heavy, one player who could fit the bill is David Bakhtiari. The Green Bay Packers long-time left tackle remains an elite producer when he is on the field. Keeping him on the field, however, has proven to be a massive challenge.
Bakhtiari played in only one game this season, as he was in the lineup in Week 1 and then sidelined for the remainder of the season. That is the second time in three seasons he played in a single game, with an 11-game campaign sandwiched in between.
NFL News & Rumors: David Bakhtiari, Green Bay Packers, Cleveland Browns Updates
It is a near guarantee the Packers will move on from Bakhtiari this offseason as he has a cap hit of about $40 million and the team can save $21 million moving on from him. With other pressing needs on the roster, Green Bay could use that money.
Adding another injury-prone player to the mix along the offensive line would certainly be a risk for the Browns. But, given their monetary restrictions, it is the kind of risk they could be forced to make.
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