INDIANAPOLIS -- Freddie Kitchens made the media rounds Wednesday at the NFL Combine, and we're breaking down the five biggest news items from an hour-plus of interviews.
1. Kitchens hopeful Breshad Perriman is next to re-sign
Kitchens took pride in seeing wide receiver Breshad Perriman resurrect his NFL career with the Browns. Now, he'd love to see that comeback story continue to play out in 2019 and beyond.
Perriman, who took the top off opposing defenses on multiple occasions during a standout second half of the season, is set to be a free agent when the league year opens March 13.
"Breshad's a good football player," Kitchens said. "Breshad had more success with us than he has with anybody else. Of course we've got plans for Breshad moving forward. Hopefully we get him back."
Perriman, a 2015 first-round pick by the Ravens, signed with the Browns midway through the 2018 season. He emerged as a regular member of the wide receivers rotation and really took off when Kitchens was elevated to offensive coordinator. He finished the season with 16 catches for 340 yards and two touchdowns.
The Browns on Monday re-signed another former first-round pick who found new life in Cleveland, left tackle Greg Robinson.
2. Kitchens not worried about hierarchy in RBs room
The early February signing of Kareem Hunt raised a number of questions about the overall state of Cleveland's running backs room, but Kitchens maintained it was status quo.
Nick Chubb, he said, is the team's running back and Duke Johnson Jr. will continue in his role as a change-of-pace option out of the backfield.
"Nick Chubb's not going to back down from any competitive situation," Kitchens said.
Take a look at the top 25 prospects Browns fans should watch during the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
Mississippi wide receiver D.K. Metcalf (14) gestures before a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Louisiana Monroe in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning)
FILE - In this Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018, file photo, Arizona State wide receiver N'Keal Harry (1) fends off Utah defensive back Jaylon Johnson in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Tempe, Ariz. Harry finished third all-time in receptions and receiving yards at Arizona State before declaring for the 2019 NFL Draft. He will participate in the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
Iowa State wide receiver Hakeem Butler (18) reaches for the goal line but is knocked out of bounds at the 3-yard line by Memphis defensive back Austin Hall in the second half of the Liberty Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017, in Memphis, Tenn. Butler is participating in the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Ohio State receiver Parris Campbell plays against Tulane during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Alabama offensive lineman Jonah Williams sets up to block against Arkansas in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Washington State offensive lineman Andre Dillard (60) lines up for a play during the second half of an NCAA college football game against California in Pullman, Wash., Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018. Dillard is participating in the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
Oklahoma linebacker Dominique Alexander (1) and West Virginia lineman Yodny Cajuste (55) are pictured during an NCAA college football game in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015. Oklahoma won 44-24. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Alabama tight end Irv Smith Jr. (82) runs against Georgia defensive back Tyson Campbell (3) during the first half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018, in Atlanta. NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah ranked Smith as the No. 25 prospect in the upcoming 2019 NFL Draft class. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Georgia tight end Isaac Nauta (18) makes a touchdown catch against Alabama linebacker Dylan Moses (32) during the first half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018, in Atlanta. Nauta is participating in the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Arkansas quarterback Austin Allen is tackled by Mississippi State defender Montez Sweat during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017 in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Michigan running back Karan Higdon (22) takes the hand off from quarterback Wilton Speight (3) as Florida defensive lineman Jachai Polite (99) defends during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Louisiana Tech defensive end Jaylon Ferguson (45) sacks Hawaii quarterback Chevan Cordeiro (12) in the first half of the Hawaii Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 22, 2018, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner)
Michigan defensive lineman Rashan Gary (3) is blocked by Purdue offensive lineman Matt McCann (79) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017. Michigan defeated Purdue. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
FILE - In this Sept. 1, 2018, file photo, Houston defensive tackle Ed Oliver (10) works to get around Rice offensive lineman Uzoma Osuji (77) during a NCAA college football game, in Houston. Oliver was named to The Associated Press Midseason All-America team, Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018.(AP Photo/Michael Wyke, File)
Clemson's Christian Wilkins reacts after a roughing the passer penalty is called against him during the second half of an NCAA college football game against North Carolina State, Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro)
Ohio State defensive lineman Dre'Mont Jones plays against Nebraska during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Clemson defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (90) pressures Syracuse quarterback Eric Dungey (2) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Oct. 13, 2017, in Syracuse, N.Y. Syracuse upset Clemson 27-24. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
LSU Tigers linebacker Devin White (40) during an NCAA football game against the Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018 in Baton Rogue, LA. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Michigan linebacker Devin Bush celebrates a stop against Nebraska in the first half of an NCAA football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
FILE - In this Nov. 11, 2017, file photo, LSU cornerback Andraez "Greedy" Williams (29) pulls in an interception in the endzone late in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Arkansas in Baton Rouge, La. Williams was selected to the AP Preseason All-America team, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)
Washington's Byron Murphy reacts after a stop against Stanford in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Deandre Baker (18) covers Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) during the Southeastern Conference Championship NCAA college football game on Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018 in Atlanta. (Ric Tapia via AP)
South defensive back Rock Ya-Sin of Temple (6) during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
FILE - In this Nov. 10, 2018, file photo, Alabama defensive back Deionte Thompson (14) celebrates after Mississippi State place kicker Jace Christmann (47) missed a field goal-attempt during the first half of a game, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Thompson was named to the 2018 AP All-America NCAA college football team, Monday, Dec. 10, 2018. (AP Photo/Butch Dill, File)
North safety Nasir Adderley, of Delaware, returns an interception during the second half of the Senior Bowl college football game, Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
3. Confidence high in veteran QB Drew Stanton
Kitchens expressed confidence in veteran quarterback Drew Stanton, who could be elevated to the backup role for the 2019 season.
Stanton, who was mostly inactive throughout the season while serving as the team's third option at the position, was viewed as a vital cog in Cleveland's quarterback room. He was a valuable mentor to Baker Mayfield, the fourth No. 1 pick quarterback whom with he'd been a teammate, and served as an in-house expert of sorts with the offense.
Stanton, though, can still play, Kitchens said. And in the event Cleveland loses Tyrod Taylor in free agency and doesn't add a quarterback to the roster who ascends Stanton on the depth chart, Kitchens is confident the 12th-year veteran would be more than capable in the role.
"Drew Stanton's last 16 games he started … he's 10-6," Kitchens said. "We feel like Drew can play. He's not there to be a secular coach or whatever. Drew can play. If there's somebody out there that betters our football team, I'm sure that's what general manager John Dorsey and his staff will do."
4. Mayfield 'deserved' Rookie of the Year
Kitchens isn't playing mental gymnastics with Baker Mayfield coming up short in the NFL's Rookie of the Year voting.
Mayfield, who set the NFL rookie record with 27 touchdown passes and spearheaded the Browns' seven-win, turnaround season, finished second to Giants running back Saquon Barkley. Asked if this slight potentially could be a good thing for Mayfield, Kitchens shook his head.
"I thought he deserved it. I like to see people get what they deserve rather than use something negative to turn it into a positive," Kitchens said. "I'd rather he just get what he deserves. Maybe that's a weird thought. If you think somebody deserves something, you'd like to see them get it.
"I don't think Baker needs any motivation from any outside source. That's one of the good things about this Combine. You try to find out what people are motivated by. You want the importance of football to be at the top of that. The importance for Baker that football has in his life is very much up there."
5. Motivation for days
Kitchens was asked about the overall confidence inside the Browns' headquarters in Berea. His answer didn't disappoint.
"I think it's very confident and we're not scared to talk about it. I'm not and hopefully nobody else in the organization is either," Kitchens said. "There's a lot of expectations right now. We want to thrive on those expectations because we are putting those expectations on ourselves. We're not scared to talk about those expectations. We only have one goal here in Cleveland and that's to win the Super Bowl. That's the only goal. There's going to be 31 teams sad every year. There's only one happy team and we want to be that happy team. Why not us?
"The narrative is changing in Cleveland. It changed the second part of the year but it's going to change moving forward also. We're in this thing for one reason and one reason only, collaboratively, to do the things necessary to put a good product on the field and ultimately to win football games."
