Browns will have their hands full at this week's NFL scouting combine

Todd Monken has been coach of the Browns for less than a month. His coaching staff hadn't been officially finalized as of Sunday. He and the Browns contingent will head to Indianapolis this week for the annual scouting combine. Life comes at you fast in the NFL. The whirlwind isn't about to let up. Free agency begins March 9 with the two-day negotiating period, the league year starts March 11 and the draft is April 23-25. As Monken and general manager Andrew Berry try to fix the offense and improve on the 5-12 record in 2025, they won't have many days off in the next two months. As the offseason officially kicks off with the combine, here are five things to watch: LONG LOOK AT THE LINE So much can happen between now and the draft, particularly free agent signings, but odds are the Browns will spend at least one of their two first-round picks (Nos. 6 and 24) on an offensive lineman. While the scouts and personnel department have been studying the top prospects for years, this will be the first chance for Monken, offensive coordinator Travis Switzer and line coach George Warhop to really dig in. The list starts with Utah tackle Spencer Fano, Miami tackle Francis Mauigoa, Georgia tackle Monroe Freeling and Penn State guard Vega Ioane. The tackles are in play at No. 6, and Ioane could be a target after a trade down, which is always a possibility for Berry. The line could look entirely different than it did in 2025, with six players who started eligible for free agency. Left guard Joel Bitonio and the Browns delayed the deadline for his contract to void, giving him three more weeks to decide if he'll retire. Either way, significant changes are coming. "They don't have an offensive line," NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said Thursday on a conference call. "I propose the idea of doing both, of just getting your two tackles (in the first round)." OPTION NO. 2 The consensus is the Raiders will take Fernando Mendoza at No. 1 and there's not another quarterback worthy of a top-10 pick. With Berry on the record saying the offseason will include a "pretty heavy investment" on offense, the choice at No. 6 is likely narrowed to tackle or receiver. It's a debate that will rage among fans — and possibly inside the organization — until the pick is made. Both positions have gaping holes that must be addressed if the offense is going to take the leap necessary to play consistently winning football. The receiver class is considered deep, so the Browns might choose to wait. If not, if they decide a No. 1 wideout is the best fit at No. 6, they could look down I-71. Ohio State's Carnell Tate, estimated at 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, would give the Browns the big, reliable downfield target they lack. He would also allow Jerry Jeudy to slide back into the No. 2 role for which he seems better suited. Arizona State's Jordyn Tyson, the brother of the Cavaliers' Jaylon, is another receiver candidate, along with USC's Makai Lemon, who would seem more likely after a trade down to the second 10. THE BIG QUESTION So if it's not a quarterback early in the draft, which felt like the plan when Berry traded down from No. 2 last year to get Jacksonville's first-round pick in 2026, how will the Browns add to the game's most important position? They have Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson and Dillon Gabriel coming back, but none has been guaranteed the starting spot. Berry, with a lot of input from Monken, figures to add someone to the mix. The question is: through what avenue? Does Monken see free agent Malik Willis as someone who can elevate the offense? Does Berry view him as being worth a two-year, $50 million contract? If not, or a bidding war ensues, does a trade for Mac Jones appeal to them? Or would they rather add another youngster through the draft? Alabama's Ty Simpson, considered No. 2 behind Mendoza, could be available at No. 24. Penn State's Drew Allar, who went to Medina High School, and LSU's Garrett Nussmeier are among the other intriguing prospects who could be around in the middle rounds. Monken will start to get to know the college guys in Indy as Berry lays the groundwork for a potential trade or free agent acquisition. COMING, GOING OR STAYING Berry referred to having "ample" salary cap space to sign free agents. He also said he wouldn't be signing "a bunch of mid-30s veterans to put us over the top." That means a targeted approach likely to focus on players at key positions coming off their first contracts. Center Tyler Linderbaum checks all the boxes, including having played for Monken the last three seasons with the Ravens. He was the No. 25 pick out of Iowa in 2022 and is a three-time Pro Bowler. He could be the anchor on a line about to undergo a major overhaul, assuming Monken wants him and the price tag doesn't get too high. Linderbaum is expected to draw a ton of interest across the league. Tackle and receiver — that will be a theme this offseason — are also potential targets, whether through free agency or trades. Berry has shown the ability to deal for wideouts, adding Amari Cooper and Jeudy. A pair of longtime Browns — tight end David Njoku and right guard Wyatt Teller — have already said goodbye on social media and won't be the only free-agents-to-be who hit the market and sign elsewhere. Right tackle Jack Conklin, left tackle Cam Robinson and running back Jerome Ford are expected to follow. Linebacker Devin Bush had a strong second season in Cleveland with 125 tackles, three interceptions (two touchdowns), two sacks and two forced fumbles and could've played his way out of the Browns' price range. Punter Corey Bojorquez has been solid in four years with the Browns but wasn't great in 2025 and Berry could choose to go younger and cheaper. Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. and center Ethan Pocic are coming off torn Achilles, which makes their markets tougher to judge. If the Browns could keep them on one-year deals, they likely would. Guard Teven Jenkins, safety Rayshawn Jenkins, linebacker Jerome Baker and defensive tackle Shelby Harris were solid contributors off the bench and could also come back depending on the market. Safety Ronnie Hickman and linebacker Mohamoud Diabate are restricted free agents, so the Browns must decide if they want to place a tender on them, and which one. THE OUTLIER Is there a player in the draft who could make Berry swerve from his plan to devote the bulk of the premium resources to the offense? Berry, like most GMs, espouses the philosophy of taking the best player available. But it's human nature to lean toward the immediate needs, especially at the top of the draft. Ohio State safety Caleb Downs looks like the perfect test case. He's a big-time playmaker and would fill a secondary need if Hickman leaves in free agency. But the defense is loaded with talent and was the strength of the team in 2025. If Berry has Downs rated above all the tackles and receivers, would he grab him at No. 6? Or trade down to pick up more assets and postpone the decision? The approach to free agency and the draft will begin to come into sharper focus this week. Contact Scott Petrak at (440) 329-7253 or spetrak@chroniclet.com. Like him on Facebook and follow him @scottpetrak on X.