Will the Browns be a playoff contender with their 2020 schedule? Hey, Mary Kay! - cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio — In this week’s edition of my Browns’ mailbag, I answer questions about the 2020 schedule, the draft and more. The questions came from our Football Insiders subscribers, and as always, the questions are greatly appreciated. If you’d like to become a subscriber, complete with daily texts from me and our other Browns’ beat writers, send us a text at 216-208-3965 or click on the info at the bottom of this post. Thanks!

Hey Mary Kay: The Browns are looking at a pretty challenging schedule. Do you still think after reviewing the schedule that they’ll be relevant and competing for a playoff spot? If so, why? — 216

Hey, 216: I do think the Browns will be playoff contenders in 2020 for a number of reasons. For starters, they’ve surrounded Baker Mayfield with more talent, including two new starting tackles and two new tight ends. But more importantly, they’re putting him in a run-based, play-action scheme that’s suited to his skillset and QB-friendly. He’s set up to succeed in this offense and to maximize the talents of Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry, Nick Chubb and the rest. I believe the coaching will be better this year, and able to take advantage of this talented roster. The NFL has also added an extra wildcard team in each conference for three apiece, giving the Browns a much better chance to make the postseason even if they Lamar Jackson has another MVP year and the Ravens defend their AFC North crown.

Hey Mary Kay! The Saints cut guard Larry Warford today. Would he be of interest to the Browns for the right guard position? Tim, Riverview, Fla.

Hey, Tim: The Browns would be smart to do their diligence on the three-time Pro Bowl guard, and I’m sure they will. You can rest assured that GM Andrew Berry will leave no stone unturned in his bid to upgrade the talent on this roster, and Walford could probably be plugged in immediately as the starting right guard. Quite often, these things come down to money — right player at the right price. The Browns still have plenty of cap space to sign a mid-priced player such as Warford, and they’ll do it if it makes sense.

Hey, Mary Kay: What do you think of the Browns offense only getting ranked 18th? Other than right guard, I don’t see any weaknesses. I do see huge disadvantage of installing a new offense without a real training camp. Seems like a bet against Mayfield returning to form? — 410

Hey, 410: I saw one post-draft Power Ranking from Bleacher Report that had the Browns’ offense ranked 12th, which I think is reasonable heading into the season. If Baker Mayfield adapts to the new offense the way I think he will, they could finish higher. I agree that it’s a disadvantage for the Browns to try to install a new offense with a virtual offseason program to this point. If they reconvene soon, I think they’ll be okay. If they don’t start practicing together until camp, it could take some time to get their timing down, because it is a precision, timing offense. But if they’re all working overtime on their own to master the terminology and plays, they should be okay.

Hey, Mary Kay: If you could add one more free agent to the roster, and it’s not Jadeveon Clowney, who would you add and why? — Blaine in Grafton, WI

Hey, Blaine: If I had to add one today, it would either be linebacker Clay Matthews III. I think he’d be a tremendous addition to the defense and I think he’d embody the culture change the Browns are implementing. He had eight sacks last year and is still a playmaker at 33. He can start on the outside or inside and would be a tremendous leader of the linebacking corps. The fact that his father Clay Jr. had a Hall of Fame-caliber career in Cleveland would make it all the more special.

Hey, Mary Kay: We know Rashard Higgins was in Freddie’s dog house, but he did play occasionally. If he and Baker Mayfield had a good connection, why didn’t Baker use it? Seems even Baker ignored him. — Tom in Akron, Ohio

Hey, Tom: Higgins didn’t play enough last season for Mayfield to get him the ball. He played a total of 31 snaps in 10 games, and was targeted 11 times all season. After Week 11, he was targeted a total of eight times, and was ultimately a healthy scratch in Week 17. Of those 11 targets, he caught four passes for 55 yards and a 1 TD. So Mayfield threw to him 35% of the time he was on the field, and if he gets some playing time this year — Kevin Stefanski doesn’t play three wides much — I believe Mayfield will look his way.

Hey, Mary Kay: I am puzzled that the Browns have not pursued Jadeveon Clowney. Not only is he a very good edge rusher, he is outstanding against the run. I think he would be a tremendous upgrade over Olivier Vernon and at practically the same salary. What am I missing? — Mike, Chester, Maryland

Hey Mike: The Browns have pursued Clowney this season, but his asking price has been high. He originally wanted about $20 million a year according to ESPN and then lowered that to about $17 million. At that price, I think the Browns are happy with Olivier Vernon, who’s sack production is good when he’s healthy. He’s been injured a lot each of the past two seasons, but is still extremely effective when he’s on the field.

Hey, Mary Kay: They say the Browns have an easy schedule, but they’re starting off with the Ravens and then Cincinnati, and the fourth game is against Dallas and then the Colts. The Browns could be 1-4 by the sixth game against Pittsburgh. — 804

Hey, 804: I agree that the Browns have a tough opening game in Baltimore, but I see winnable games in the first five. They should be able to beat the Bengals, Redskins and Colts at home. The only thing about the beginning of the season is that they might still be jelling and getting their timing down. With an abbreviated offseason, the first quarter of the season could be a lot of learning on the job. But if they have a pretty complete training camp, they should be okay.

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