Would the Browns be interested in the Texans’ JJ Watt? Hey, Mary Kay!

CLEVELAND, Ohio— In this week’s edition of Hey, Mary Kay! I answer questions about Houston’s JJ Watt, Deshaun Watson and more.

Hey, Mary Kay: I see reports that JJ Watt wants to leave Houston. A. the Browns would be interested and B. What would it take to catch him? – Tyrone Patterson, Tucson, Arizona.

Hey, Tyrone: The Browns generally do not seek to hire expensive players in their thirties, and Watt will be 32 in March. But he is the NFL’s three-time Defensive Player of the Year, and was ranked seventh among the pioneers in 2020, despite having only five sacks. Like Deshaun Watson, Watt is said to want to leave Houston, and Texans may be willing to negotiate him, as he is approaching the final year of his contract for $ 17.5 million. But the salary is not guaranteed, and the new team can renegotiate the deal to reduce the maximum number and give him more guaranteed money.

I think he is someone that the Browns would at least consider as a bookend for Myles Garrett and a replacement for Olivier Vernon, who suffered an Achilles tendon rupture and whose contract ended. A change of scenery could bring up the beast again in Watt, who had 16 bags in 2018. The problem is that a team will not give up much in the draft selection indemnity for a one-year lease. If they could take it for an intermediate choice and keep it for at least two years, they could think about it.

Hey, Mary Kay: Will the Browns ask about switching to Deshaun Watson? If they do, and the information leaks, would it affect Baker Mayfield’s confidence? – Joemini Poudel, Beachwood, Ohio

Hey, Joemini: Browns GM Andrew Berry explores almost every opportunity to improve the team, so it wouldn’t be surprising if he at least asked about Watson. But many teams do not believe that the Texans will negotiate it and therefore may not answer the phone. I think the Browns are probably in that group of teams that didn’t consider this a real possibility. If it becomes clear that Texans will accept offers, they may need to ask. But they are committed to Baker Mayfield and believe he can take them to the Super Bowl. If they didn’t believe it, they would try to upgrade. I think Mayfield would be upset if the Browns went to Watson, and they certainly don’t want him to feel that way.

Hey, Mary Kay: Don’t you agree that the Browns need faster, stronger linebackers and another defensive edge to praise Myles Garrett? Also, how about a little depth in safety and cornering? Is it too much to ask in a low season? – Gregg Hagley, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hey, Gregg: I think the Browns will try to improve most of these positions, but perhaps not all of them with players of initial caliber. I think they need an initial striker to replace Olivier Vernon, and I would make that a priority. A strong and fast linebacker would help, and they should be able to find one in the draft. As for the secondary, they expect security Grant Delpit (Achilles break) and cornerback Greedy Williams (shoulder) back healthy, so it’s like acquiring two new players. It’s not much to ask for an offseason, considering the players they have coming back from injuries and Andrew Billings’ defensive tackle coming back from his COVID-19 opt-out.

Hey, Mary Kay: What is your opinion about the foundation that this front office, coaches and players laid? Keep up the good reports. – J. Cola, Twinsburg, Ohio

Hey J .: Thank you! I think the Browns are ready for sustained success with the talent they have on this list, their excellent technical team and their alignment in the organization from top to bottom. But they must continue to look for talent aggressively and improve in many positions if they want to beat AFC North and pass teams like the Bills and Chiefs in the playoffs. The Browns played the fourth easiest schedule in the NFL last season and will play the ninth hardest in the NFL in 2021, despite their third place in AFC North. For comparison, Steelers have the hardest slate, Ravens have the second hardest and Bengals have the hardest fifth.

Hey, Mary Kay: Do you think Curtis Weaver could be a big contributor next season? PFF compares it to Jabaal Sheard. – Steven C., Beavercreek, Ohio

Hey, Steven: Weaver, the Dolphins’ fifth round pick out of Boise State last season that was claimed by the Browns through waivers, has a chance to be part of the edge rotation if he heals enough of the foot surgery that left him in the injured reserve in 2020. Weaver (6-3, 265) ended his college career as the all-time leader of Mountain West with 34 and had 47.5 tackles for a defeat. The Dolphins dismissed him with an injury designation and hoped to put him on his own IR for the season before the Browns beat them. The Rams also claimed it. The Browns will certainly look for an initial caliber pass-rusher to work alongside Myles Garrett, but Weaver can make a significant contribution if he is healthy.

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