It’s the age-old saying: “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” But when it came to signing their quarterback, Browns GM Andrew Berry and head coach Kevin Stefanski clearly weren’t listening. Deshaun Watson plays the most important position on the field—no debate there. But while most franchises hedge their bets, Cleveland went all in, handing Watson a fully guaranteed 5-year, $230 million deal. And ever since pen hit paper, it’s been downhill.

First came the sexual misconduct allegations, which kept him off the field for 11 games. Then came the injuries. In three seasons, Watson has suited up for just 19 games. The return on investment? Uncomfortably low. Now, the only realistic escape route is to play it smart in the upcoming NFL Draft. Cleveland owns the No. 2 pick—an opportunity to reset their roster strategy.

If the front office decides to trade down, they could recoup draft capital to help balance out Watson’s financial weight. NFL analyst Colin Cowherd backed this approach on the April 14 episode of The Herd, saying: “Whenever you inherit or get a bad quarterback deal—like Russell Wilson in Denver or Deshaun Watson—the way out of it is to draft a quarterback and hit on him, or trade down and accumulate a bunch of picks so you have cheap labor for four to five years.”

Other analysts share the same perspective. The Browns have already brought in Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco as backup plans in case Watson doesn’t return at full strength. NFL.com’s Rhett Lewis predicted a potential trade with the Raiders for the 6th overall pick, which would allow the Browns to draft Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty—a valuable asset to support Pickett or whoever lines up under center.

NFL analyst Jordan Reid, however, floated another idea. He suggested Cleveland could use their second-round pick (33rd overall) to move back into the first round and target elite prospects like Colorado’s two-way star Travis Hunter or Penn State’s disruptive edge rusher Abdul Carter. Pairing Carter with Myles Garrett would supercharge the pass rush, while Hunter could serve as a dynamic playmaker on both sides of the ball.

And while Deshaun Watson’s future remains murky, the Browns are quietly reinforcing their depth chart.

Deshaun Watson’s team add defensive reinforcement

With questions swirling around their franchise QB, Cleveland’s front office is working to build a roster that can go the distance—with or without him. Head coach Kevin Stefanski promised Myles Garrett a roster that could compete for a Super Bowl, and that starts with shoring up the defense. Enter Julian Okwara.

The Browns signed the 5-year veteran linebacker from the Cardinals to help strengthen their defensive core. It may not be a splashy move, but Stefanski is focused on balance and depth.

Okwara, a 3rd-round pick (67th overall) by the Lions in the 2020 NFL Draft, has had a nomadic few years. After stints in Detroit and a brief stop with the Eagles, he was traded to the Cardinals. Over 51 games (including 5 starts), he’s recorded 1 interception, 4 passes defended, 10 sacks, and 72 tackles (45 solo). Solid if unspectacular—but in Cleveland, it’s a piece they needed.

Meanwhile, the Browns are also eyeing their financial chessboard. That $58 million insurance policy they put in place after the disaster of the 2022 season? It could finally prove valuable. If Watson’s availability remains in doubt, the team can lean on that clause to create cap flexibility.

With the 2025 NFL Draft fast approaching in Green Bay, the Browns find themselves at a crossroads—on the field, on the cap sheet, and on the depth chart. One thing’s for sure: the front office can’t afford another misstep. The next few weeks could redefine the Watson era—for better or worse.