Though they started the summer in very different places, the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns are both very unsettled teams. The former made it through a difficult playoff run in 2023–24 despite a plethora of ailments, while the latter is going through significant changes to its team and power structure.
During the 2024 NFL Draft, the Browns and Titans plan to address the questions surrounding their respective rosters. However, they reached an agreement on Friday.
According to the Browns’ X account, Cleveland is sending offensive tackle Leroy Watson IV to Tennessee in exchange for a 2024 seventh-round pick. Watson, who was not selected in the 2022 NFL Draft and was a member of the Atlanta Falcons and San Francisco 49ers practice squads, saw only 55 snaps in the Brownies’ 2018 campaign.
It makes sense that this decision won’t generate much excitement among local supporters, much less within the NFL, but it may have more significance than first meets the eye. Considering that Watson might have been cut by the Browns during training camp, general manager Andrew Berry may not be negatively impacted at all by this.
Conversely, Watson is a Cleveland native, and Titans offensive line coach Bill Callahan—the father of new head coach Brian Callahan—clearly thinks Watson is deserving of a late-round draft pick. Even if this deal doesn’t work out, it demonstrates that these front offices are operating.
Berry needs to perform well in Detroit by the end of April since the Browns will likely have to deal with injuries and an aging defensive line throughout the upcoming season. The O-Line could use more depth, and adding another pass-rusher is essential. In the later rounds of the NFL Draft, when teams are seeking to fill out the balance of their roster, the winner can be found.
This seventh-round pick could end up adding more trophies to Berry’s collection. Leroy Watson IV can provide a consistent presence during practice for the Titans. Given his familiarity with Bill Callahan’s coaching style, he might be able to assist the squad in managing the O-Line turnover.
Pro Football Focus determined that Tennessee’s defensive line was the poorest in the NFL, so the team could use a few more fresh faces in the trenches. There is still work to be done, but the arrival of guard Saahdiq Charles and center Lloyd Cushenberry should have an impact.
The Browns aim to make up for their own uncertain quarterback position (Deshaun Watson missing 11 games last season) by strengthening their offensive and defensive lines, while the Titans concentrate on providing inexperienced quarterback Will Levis with the best opportunity to succeed. For both of these frequently disregarded teams, there will be plenty of possibilities during the April 25–27, 2024 NFL Draft.
