Camp thoughts Vol. V

 

Today’s thoughts piece centers on someone who is not in training camp with the Browns. No, he’s not hurt. And no, he is not in trouble for something he either did or said.

 

As a matter of fact he isn’t a member of the Browns in any way, shape or form. That’s because he is under contract with another National Football League team.

 

So why is he today’s subject? Because he doesn’t want to be under contract with that team and is doing everything he can to escape. It has been an exercise in futility, however.

 

By now, you no doubt have figured out our subject is Yannick Ngakoue, the very young, very talented defensive end for the Jacksonville Jaguars with the hard-to-pronounce surname. It’s en-GAH-kway.

 

So how do the Browns factor into this scenario? A short time ago, they were on the hunt for a defensive end and targeted free agent Jadeveon Clowney. But he rejected some reportedly very attractive offers and the Browns moved on.

 

They restructured the contract of veteran Olivier Vernon, who was a disappointment last season and that seemed to be that. Until word leaked out along the NFL Rumor Monger Network that the Jaguars were close to moving Ngakoue.

 

Rumors had the New York Jets, Las Vegas (haven’t yet gotten used to that) Raiders and New England Patriots were interested. But not the Browns, and I haven’t figured out why not.

 

Ngakoue, who turned 25 in March, lists four very productive seasons on his résumé (37½ sacks, 42 tackles for loss and 14 forced fumbles). He is looking to escape what looks like a grim future for the Jags.

 

He would be the perfect partner for Myles Garrett, who is a load by himself. Can you imagine what it would be like with both of them on the same line? The adjectives begin with scary.

 

So what would it take to convince the Jaguars to let him go? Early rumors suggested a first-round pick in the college draft. The Browns wouldn’t – and shouldn’t – do that. Neither, it seems, would any other team.

 

A second-rounder would be more palatable. I know the Browns like to hoard draft picks (they’ve got 10 in next year’s lottery), but a second-rounder is worth surrendering to obtain a talent like Ngakoue.

 

He’s a bit on the light side for the position at 6-2 and 255 pounds. He is reminiscent of Dwight Freeney (6-1, 268), who stuck around the NFL for 16 seasons and notched 125½ career sacks, mostly with the Indianapolis Colts.

 

That’s the kind of production this season’s Cleveland defense needs. A second-round pick would be more than worth it. It could – no, would – solidify the defensive line with Garrett and Ngakoue terrifying quarterbacks for at least the next half decade.

 

One scouting report on Ngakoue lavishly says he “can beat you with speed, power, finesse and technique.” His high number of tackles for loss strongly hints he could be that rare three-down defensive lineman.

 

It make no sense from a personnel standpoint if the Browns are not players for Ngakoue with the start of the regular season just three weeks away. The only possibility for their reluctance might be fiscal.

 

He has yet to sign his franchise tender ($17.8 million) and is reportedly also looking for a long-term deal. The Browns lead the NFL in cap space and can afford to bring him on board now. (It’s fun spending their money.) The larger picture can be handled once he arrives in Cleveland.

 

And yes, the Browns face some hefty contracts coming up in the next year or two. But the future with Ngakoue is now, not next year or the year after. Obtaining and signing him would be a significant and wise step in that direction.

 

Meanwhile, the longer this standoff in Jacksonville lingers, the less the Jags will receive in compensation if they really want to move him and he certainly has given them enough reason.

 

Three possibilities remain: He (a) reluctantly signs his tender and remains in Jacksonville, (b) chooses to sit out the entire season or (c) sits out the first 10 games, then reports to get accreditation for next year and becomes a free agent.

One way or the other, Ngakoue, who made only $2 million last season, is going to be a rich young man in the near future. It sure would be nice if James A. Haslam III and/or Susan (Dee) Haslam signs those paychecks.