The Browns are going to spend their offseason hoping that their two first-round picks from 2014 can make good on their promise after rough rookie seasons.
They’ll also be watching their 2013 first-round pick to make sure that he makes a full recovery from shoulder surgery. Coach Mike Pettine said during Wednesday’s press conference at the combine that linebacker Barkevious Mingo had an operation to correct the shoulder issue that bothered him for most of the 2014 season.
Mingo played 15 games and made 11 starts despite the injury, so it would seem that the chances of a full recovery in time for next season are good. It’s unclear whether Mingo will wind up missing any time during offseason work, however.
The Browns drafted Mingo in hopes that he’d provide them with pass rush off the edge on defense and he had three sacks in his first three games to make it look like he’d do just that. He’s had just four in the next 27 outings, however, and has instead settled into a role focused on other things for the defense. He’s played that role well, but the Browns will likely be in the market for more help in that area should Jabaal Sheard leave as a free agent.
