Cleveland Browns

How the current Browns roster fits Hue Jackson's offense

Published Jan. 15, 2016 3:57 p.m. ET

foxsports

By Joe Gilbert

The Cleveland Browns found their man on Wednesday, nabbing Bengals offensive coordinator Hue Jackson. The team quickly located their top candidate and secured his services by going all out to get their guy. But what are the Browns getting in Jackson?

This past season, Jackson’s Bengals offense ranked seventh in scoring with 26.2 points a game. He orchestrated a pretty balanced offense, ranking 15th in passing yards per game with 245.2 yards and 13th in rushing yards per game with 112.8 yards. Jackson runs a diverse and versatile offense that can do multiple things, depending on what is best against the opposing defense. So, how does the Browns current roster fit into the new offense Hue Jackson will be implementing?

Let’s take a look at who on the Browns roster should really get excited for Jackson’s offense and what the offense is lacking!

Players who should be really excited

LT Joe Thomas

Joe Thomas has been through a lot in his Browns career, and by the end of the season, the legend looked beaten down. But, the hiring of Hue Jackson should rejuvenate the future Hall of Famer. Jackson’s offense is a versatile one that does a lot of different types of styles. The main blocking scheme is power blocking, but with a lot of movement and pulling of the linemen. This should fit well with Thomas’ skill set because the offense can utilize his athleticism to pull him in different situations. He also should love that Jackson has orchestrated productive running games and is very driven to have a successful running game. Offensive linemen love running the ball.

LG Joel Bitonio

Joel Bitonio will be happy because of the same reasons Joe Thomas will be happy. Bitonio is an athletic offensive guard whose skill set would flourish in Jackson’s power running game. He has the athleticism and strength to be a productive power blocker who can also pull on certain plays to block down the line. Just like Thomas and pretty much every linemen, the proclivity to the run game in Jackson’s offense should really excite Bitonio.

WR Terrelle Pryor

Terrelle Pryor should be excited for the arrival of Hue Jackson. Jackson is one of the best developers of receivers in the league. Pryor can learn a lot from Jackson and continue to develop into a NFL-caliber receiver. Also, in terms of playing time, Pryor could earn a spot on the team because of his versatility to also throw the ball and be a gadget player in Jackson’s offense. Jackson had Mohamed Sanu in Cincinnati who he used to do gadget plays like double passes and the wildcat. Pryor could fill this role in the Browns offense.

TE Gary Barnidge

Gary Barnidge had his coming out party this season, posting career highs in almost every receiving category. Next season under Hue Jackson, Barnidge should continue his success. Jackson orchestrates a downfield passing game and utilizes the tight end very well in this deep attack. In Cincinnati, Jackson used Tyler Eifert very effectively, lining him in different spots like on the end of the line or out wide. Jackson can do the same with Barnidge, utilizing Barnidge’s ability to make tough catches in traffic. Barnidge should continue his success under Jackson.

RB Duke Johnson

I believe Duke Johnson should be one of the most excited players on the team for the arrival of Hue Jackson. Johnson could be a huge weapon in Jackson’s offense, doing multiple tasks for the offense. As Josh illustrated on Thursday, Johnson would be the Gio Bernard of the Browns offense and in my opinion a more dangerous and talented version. Johnson’s versatility should really excite Jackson and give Jackson a weapon to unleash on opposing defenses. Johnson could see a huge jump in production next season. He could be the do-everything player on the Browns offense next season.

WR Travis Benjamin

If the Browns can retain the services of Travis Benjamin, Benjamin should be in a good position in Jackson’s offense. Hue Jackson loves throwing the ball down field, which would make Benjamin a big weapon. Benjamin’s best asset is speed and separation he can make against opposing corners. Benjamin should be utilized quite a bit in passes down field. If I am Travis Benjamin, I would re-sign with the Browns to get a chance to play in the perfect system for my talents.

What the roster lacks

Extra linemen and blocking fullbacks/tight ends

Hue Jackson likes using extra blockers, fullbacks, and tight ends to block in different situations. One of the Browns biggest weaknesses this past season was the blocking of the extra blockers, whether it was an extra linemen or a tight end. The extra blockers just did not get the job done for the Browns this season. The Browns will need to acquire fullbacks, tight ends, and extra linemen to be able to run the offense that Jackson likes to run. Right now the team lacks this part of the offensive scheme.

Number one receiver

The lack of a number one receiver is one of the bigger question marks going into next season. The status of Josh Gordon is still unknown, so the Browns may not be able to rely on him. In Jackson’s offense, the offense needs a number one receiver who can make big plays down field and take the attention of the opposing defense. Right now without Gordon, the Browns do not have a number one receiver. This will be one of the bigger tasks this offseason the front office will need to address in order for Jackson to run his offense at top form.

Quarterback

The biggest question mark from the Browns offense is the quarterback. In Hue Jackson’s offense, the quarterback must be smart and be able to throw down field. Jackson places a lot of trust in his quarterback to make adjustments at the line and to read the play and decide what to do in an instant. The quarterback must also have a strong and accurate arm to orchestrate the deep passing aspect of the Jackson’s offense. Right now, the Browns do not have a quarterback who can do this for the offense. Job number one for the Browns this offseason will be addressing the quarterback spot to find the signal caller who can run Jackson’s offense to its best form.

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