Roster And Draft Class Breakdown: Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are shrouded in mystery as they await a critical decision from the league office about their new quarterback - whom they paid over 200 million dollars guaranteed. If it turns out he can’t play and they have to release him, that would a be a $194 million cap hit. Certainly not ideal. With that being said, the Browns have a solid team on paper. They should be able to compete in the AFC North with Cincinnati regardless of who the quarterback is. Can the Browns live up to expectations? Can they exceed them? Are we hyping them up for no reason? Let’s break it all down.
Offense
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last few months, you know that DeShaun Watson has been traded from the Texans to the Browns and got paid more money than most of us will see in the lifetime. Assuming Watson plays, he instantly becomes the best QB in the division. His speed, athleticism, and arm strength make him a threat to every defense he faces. It also helps when you have one of the best running backs in football in Nick Chubb. The Browns have a solid stable of power backs besides Chubb - Kareem Hunt, D’Ernest Johnson, and rookie Jerome Ford. Ford is a fifth round pick from Cincinnati and he made that run game go after transferring in from Alabama. They also drafted Michael Woods II in the sixth round from Oklahoma who started 38 games in college.
The receiver group looks a little different. Amari Cooper comes in after being traded by Dallas for next to nothing. Cooper is a solid route runner and reliable pass catcher. Donovan Peoples-Jones is a big play threat who now gets a legitimate chance to be a number two receiver. He averaged 17.6 yards per catch last year, and is averaging 18.8 on his career. Third round pick David Bell should get a chance to contribute right away. He was very productive at Purdue and since 2019, he led the FBS with 232 receptions. In a surprising move, tight end David Njoku signed a new contract after requesting a trade twice. Johnny Stanton is listed as the fullback. The offensive line is in great shape to the point where Cleveland didn’t need to address it in the draft. From left to right, Jedrick Wills Jr, Joel Bitonio, Nick Harris, Wyatt Teller, and Jack Conklin are in the trenches. They also added center Dawson Deaton in round seven from Texas Tech.
Defense
The 4-3 front will have some new faces and some returning ones. It all starts with Myles Garrett who had 16 sacks in the 21 season, and has 58.5 in his career. Jadeveon Clowney is also coming back and will be opposite Garrett. Clowney is a good player but injuries have slowed him down. Jordan Elliot and Taven Bryan are on the inside. Bryan is a former first round pick by the Jags who hasn’t really panned out. The Browns added three defensive linemen in the draft. The first is DE Alex Wright from UAB (University of Alabama Birmingham) in round three. The second is DT Perrion Winfrey from Oklahoma in round four. Finally, DE Isaiah Thomas (not that one and not the other one) also from Oklahoma in round seven. Depth was needed their, now they have plenty. Chase Winovich also came over in a trade from the Patriots. It will be interesting to see if he gets a chance to contribute early on as he tries to get his career back on track.
The starting linebackers are an intriguing group to watch. With that being said, Jeremiah Owusu-Kormora, Anthony Walker, and Sione Takitaki need to get to the quarterback more. JOK is a former second round pick entering his second season and only had 1.5 sacks in his rookie campaign. Takitaki had zero.
Finally, the secondary. Denzel Ward has a leg injury right now. But when healthy, he is the best corner on the team. Greg Newsome is opposite him. Both are former first round picks - Ward was selected fourth overall after Baker Mayfield was drafted first. Grant Delpit and John Johnson III are the safeties. Delpit missed his rookie year but is a former second pick and a former top DB in the country at LSU. He is looking to make an impact. Cleveland’s first pick in the draft was Martin Emerson from Mississippi State in round three. He adds insurance and depth. Greedy Williams is also a former second pick who has yet to break through since he also missed his rookie year. Time might be running out for him and it may be best for him to ask for a trade. To wrap up the draft picks, kicker Cade York was taken in round four from LSU. The Browns have had a lot of kicking woes lately, and York was the best in the draft.
Draft Misses
The biggest miss here is the linebacker position and depth. There is only one immediate backup listed behind the outside backers. If the injury bug bites this team, this is going to be trouble. As mentioned before, the linebackers weren’t effective a year ago. By trading Mack Wilson to the Patriots, they lost some help there. Are the Browns in a position to trade for a pass rusher? That remains to be seen. Are there any pass rushers on the market right now? At this stage of the season, probably not.
Projection As Of Right Now
Obviously Watson gives them the best chance to win the division, but either way the Browns are in solid shape. The north isn’t going to be as strong as it has been. Since Baker Mayfield has already said he won’t play for them again, Jacoby Brissett is the next in line to start if Waston can’t play. Brissett is a good starter that can do well with a good roster around him. Luckily, that’s what the Browns have. I expect them to finish second in the division and lock up a wildcard spot.
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