CLEVELAND — On Friday, Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry held a conference call with reporters to provide an update on the team heading into the 2020 NFL Draft.
Here are some quick notes from Berry's 30-minute conference call, in which the first-year general manager touched on a variety of topics:
- Berry began by thanking health care workers and first responders for their work throughout the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. He also praised the charitable contributions made by members of the Browns family, including the Haslams, Myles Garrett, Jarvis Landry, Denzel Ward and Baker Mayfield.
- Berry said he plans to be in Cleveland for the NFL Draft from April 23-25. The front office and coaching staff have been in constant communication over the course of the past few weeks, despite working from home (head coach Kevin Stefanski is still in Minnesota). Berry has currently put his family's move from Philadelphia on hold.
- The 33-year-old Berry said he believes being a part of his age demographic has been helpful in setting up and working with the technology to keep the Browns in communication.
- Berry said the Browns got most of the medical information they needed on prospects at the scouting combine, but admitted it could be an issue for players who didn't attend the combine. "We're still going to be in a really good place with the players who are in consideration for us in the draft or after the draft," he said.
- Berry said that while he thinks there could be some risk in relying on technology when making trades while on the clock, he didn't anticipate the league's virtual draft to operate drastically different. "I think that's something that's going to operate largely the same," he said.
- "The offensive line is always going to be a priority," Berry said of the Browns' moves in free agency and draft plans. "Not just this year, but any given year."
- Berry wouldn't specifically comment on the team's reported interest in free agent defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, but did say, "he's a good football player... we're going to be aggressive and adding talent to the roster... we're actively always looking."
- Berry said not to assume the Browns will select a left tackle at No. 10 based on their activity in free agency. "I think the distinction between left and right tackle is really outdated," he said. "Tackles are tackles." Noted that Jack Conklin, Chris Hubbard and Kendall Lamm all have experience at left tackle.
- Asked about weighing floors and ceilings when comparing prospects, Berry noted that very few rookies immediately contribute at a high level and that rookies are under contract for multiple years.