- Browns coach Hue Jackson echoed the words of executive vice president of football operations Sashi Brown from the previous day when he said Thursday it was "important" for the team to reach an agreement with impending free agent Terrelle Pryor Sr.
"Obviously Terrelle was a huge piece of what we did a year ago," Jackson said from the NFL Combine's media room. "Obviously we're working through that. And it has to work both ways for all involved – for him, for us and hopefully it will. Hopefully we can get that done soon."
Pryor, in his first full season as a wide receiver, led the Browns in all major categories, including catches (77), yards (1,007) and touchdowns (four). Brown said Wednesday he planned to meet with Pryor's representation this week.
"I don't worry about the numbers," Jackson said. "I just see him as a receiver who can play, who caught for over 1,000 yards last year, so he knows how to play."
Free agency opens March 9.
- The only major position the Browns didn't address in last year's draft was running back, and Jackson said he feels similarly confident about the on-hand talent heading into 2017.
Jackson said he feels "even better" about the young tandem of Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson Jr., who combined for 1,310 rushing yards, 833 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in 2016. Jackson just wouldn't rule out the Browns using one of their 11 picks on a member of one of the deepest running backs classes in recent draft memory.
Earlier this week, the Browns placed a second-round tender on Crowell, who is entering his fourth season after joining the team as an undrafted free agent. Johnson, a former third-round pick, is entering his third year.
"Crow's a very talented player and so is Duke," Jackson said. "So I feel good about those guys, but I don't think anything is just set. However we can improve our team and make it better, that's what we're going to do."
- It was worth a shot.
Asked if the Browns would be taking Texas A&M defensive lineman Myles Garrett -- a popular projection among draft experts and analysts -- with the No. 1 overall selection, Jackson smiled and laughed.
"Wow, I think it's a little too early to say that," Jackson said. "Obviously he's a tremendous player, there's a lot of tremendous players in this draft. It's just so early to determine exactly where we are."
- Jackson said he "absolutely" has not eliminated Cody Kessler from contention in the Browns' pursuit of a consistent starting quarterback.
The third-round pick in last year's draft, Kessler began 2016 as the third-string option but ultimately led the team with eight starts. Kessler, who was sidelined on multiple occasions with various injuries, completed 65.6 percent of his passes for 1,380 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions.
"He's one of the guys on our roster right now, he's one of our quarterbacks who's worked extremely hard," Jackson said. "Again, until we make a decision of who this final roster is at that position, I think every guy at the position has a chance to be a starter.
"I think he did some good things. Obviously he played more than what we anticipated he would. I thought he had some really good games, he got knocked around a little bit, he learned what the National Football League is, I think he'll prepare a little bit different. But I like Cody, he's one of our players and we'll continue to work with him."
- Utah offensive lineman Isaac Asiata was the big winner on the bench press Thursday.
Asiata put up 35 repetitions of 225 pounds to lead his position group and all other participants on the first day of physical testing. TCU's Aviante Collins, Texas A&M's Jermaine Eluemainor and Western Kentucky's Forrest Lamp each put up 34 repetitions.
Asiata, who participated in the Senior Bowl, is projected to play guard in the NFL and is slated as a third-round pick by CBSSports.com.
Offensive linemen and running backs will go through on-field drills Friday.
