4 Burning Browns Questions, Including What's The Most Likely Outcome For A Stadium?

The Browns are shifting their focus toward the draft but plenty of questions surround the team as the calendar flips to April.

Browns running back Nick Chubb scores a second-half touchdown against the Bengals Monday, Oct. 31, / Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK

The NFL offseason is full speed ahead into the next phase of the offseason as the calendar flips to April. Despite not having a first round pick for a third straight year, the Browns will the upcoming NFL Draft to continuing shaping their roster ahead of 2024. Plenty of other questions still loom large for Cleveland though, on and off the field.

Here is the latest rendition of 4 Burning Browns questions:

The projected win totals for 2024 are in. Where do the #Browns fall according to Vegas? https://t.co/6I86mm457V

— 𝚂𝚙𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚎𝚛 𝙶𝚎𝚛𝚖𝚊𝚗 (@Spencito_) March 27, 2024

What's the most likely outcome for the Brown future stadium plans?

Just based on what the Haslams said last week, confirming that the land they're working on purchasing in Brook Park would be for a potential new stadium, it sure sounds like that plan becomes the most likely outcome here.

Listen, having the stadium downtown is great and for what it's worth the Haslams didn't want to commit firmly to anything while negotiations are still ongoing. But the city of Cleveland has bigger problems to worry about than helping fund a $1 billion renovation of the current stadium. Not to mention that project is truly just putting lipstick on a pig.

In Book Park, the Haslams can get their shiny new stadium with a roof overtop, build up the surrounding area with restaurants and bars and have a football village in close proximity to the airport and the team's practice facility in Berea. It's a tough pill to swallow for fans, who love the downtown experience but the most important thing is keeping the team in Northeast Ohio.

Is the #Bills stadium situation providing a bit of uncomfortable foreshadowing for #Browns fans in regards to the future of purchasing season tickets? https://t.co/GfzombUgMJ

— 𝚂𝚙𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚎𝚛 𝙶𝚎𝚛𝚖𝚊𝚗 (@Spencito_) March 28, 2024

How will the Browns handle the new kickoff rule next season?

If you're wondering what the impact of the rule will be, look no further than the fact that almost immediately After the rule change was adopted last week the Steelers signed Cordarrelle Patterson. The new kickoff setup should spark more returns and make the play meaningful again so it was honestly a respectable move adding arguably the best kickoff returner of all time. In the Browns case, I think they already addressed that role with the addition of Nyheim Hines.

The Browns have added an assortment of running backs this offseason, what will the depth chart look like next season?

It's not a coincidence that the Browns have five running backs on the roster right now. General manager Andrew Berry wasn't ready to provide a clear timetable for Nick Chubb's return just yet, but there's a real possibility he isn't ready for Week 1, or that the team plays it safe with him to start the season.

With that in mind, I think Jerome Ford would remain the team's primary backup to Chubb, with D'Onta Foreman stepping in to fill the role Kareem Hunt had this past season. Once Chubb returns I think Foreman remains involved as the short-yardage and goal line back. As mentioned above, I think Hines is here primarily as a kick returner, but he could be a pass catching, third-down back if needed. Then there's Pierre Strong, who appears to be his biggest competition for both those roles.

Nov 19, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Chicago Bears running back D'Onta Foreman (21) scores touchdown against Lions / David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports

Now that April is here, are the Browns draft priorities still the same as they've been most of this offseason?

In the last version of 4 Burning Browns questions I listed defensive line, linebacker and wide receiver as three positions Berry is likely to have at the top of his list come draft week, and I think those are largely still the biggest needs for this team going into next season. That said, offensive line is an under the radar need that Berry may need to start thinking about addressing.

The interior of the offensive line is one of the most consistent in the game right now with Joel Bitonio, Wyatt Teller and center Ethan Pocic. But Bitinio just played his 10th season. There's no telling how much longer he's going to play. Cleveland also has to sort out the tackle spots with Jedrick Wills still looking to cement himself as the team's future starter on the left side, veteran Jack Conklin coming back from injury and rookie Dawand Jones looking for a starting role. There's a world where both Wills and Conklin aren't back with the team in 2025, so it may not hurt to plan for the future and find another tackle with upside.