Usually we have to wait until late September to officially declare the Cleveland Browns dead in the water, but this year, I think it's safe to make that declaration following the first five rounds of the draft.
Despite a completely overhauled and new regime, the same problems the Browns have faced in recent memory will persist. There's still questions at quarterback, there's still a lack of playmakers, and there still seems to be a lack of decisive action, at least in this draft.
New general manager Michael Lombardi has opted to sell off some of this season's picks to acquire higher picks in next year's draft. For instance, the Browns got out of the 111th pick of the draft (14th in the 4th round) by trading the pick to acquire Pittsburgh's 2014 3rd round pick. It's a move that helps the Browns down the road, but it limits what they can do this season.
Ultimately, the trades will probably benefit the Browns down the road, and they may benefit greatly down the road, but the trades can be seen as the Browns coming to the realization that there's just too much they have on their plate for one offseason. Combine that with an overall poor draft class, and you have a front office willing to wait until next year to make its big moves.
There should be hope in Cleveland. A new regime is a new birth for a team that's had more than its fair share of turmoil, but it's going to be at least another season until the Browns can think about being a competitive football team.
