Although the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns had contrasting offseasons, both teams are in a state of considerable uncertainty. While the latter is going through significant changes to its squad and power structure, the former survived a plethora of injuries in 2023–24 and secured a hard-fought postseason berth.
With the 2024 NFL Draft, the Browns and Titans want to solve their respective questions. But they reached an agreement on a deal on Friday.
According to the Browns’ X account, Tennessee will receive a 2024 seventh-round pick in exchange for offensive tackle Leroy Watson IV from Cleveland. Watson played just 55 snaps for the Brownies in his final season. He was not selected in the 2022 draft and was a member of the Atlanta Falcons and San Francisco 49ers practice squads.
Naturally, this move won’t create much of a stir among local supporters, much less within the NFL, but it may be more significant than it first seems. For general manager Andrew Berry, there may not have been any negative consequences at all if Watson had been cut by the Browns during training camp.
However, Watson has ties to the Titans from his time with Cleveland, and Bill Callahan, the offensive line coach and father of new head coach Brian Callahan, obviously thinks Watson is worth a late-round draft pick. This purchase demonstrates that things are moving in these front offices, even though nothing may come of it.
Titans trying to repair the O-Line, Browns can make every selection matter
At the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center, general manager of the Cleveland Browns Andrew Berry addresses the media.
USA TODAY Sports’ Kirby Lee
It is imperative that Berry performs well in Detroit at the end of April since injuries and an aging defensive line will likely be issues the Browns have to deal with throughout the 2019 season. It’s imperative to add another pass-rusher, and the offensive line could use additional depth. While executives are seeking to fill up the remainder of their roster, it is possible to win the NFL Draft in the latter rounds.