Previously seen as a dark horse title contender, the Cleveland Browns fell short of expectations as they ended up missing the playoffs in their 2021 campaign. With a disappointing 8-9 record, gunslinger Baker Mayfield also found himself getting criticized for his ability to lead the team and play like a franchise quarterback in the league.

Yes, he might have played a significant role in their losses but the team also has evident holes that need to be addressed in order for them to be more competitive next season. The front office will surely have to acquire better talent to surround Mayfield in order to unleash their full potential and aim for greater results moving forward. Hopefully, the changes that they will make will be enough to power the team back to the top of the division and into the playoffs next season.

With that said, let's take a look at three major fixes the Browns must make in order to make it back to the postseason in 2022.

Browns Offseason Fixes

3. Add more depth in the running back unit

The duo of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt has been one of the most dominant rushing tandems that the league has seen over the past season. Despite their solid production, the Browns should still have a safety net in the backfield, given that rushers have high usage and are usually prone to injuries.

A particular talent that impressed in 2021 was D'Ernest Johnson who filled in whenever Chubb or Hunt was forced to miss time during the season. The 25-year-old had a breakout campaign as he notched 534 yards on 100 carries and three touchdowns in 17 appearances. He will surely get even better once he settles in a larger role and plays more snaps for the team moving forward.

Now set to become a restricted free agent in the offseason, the Browns will surely have to secure his services before other teams swoop in and offer a larger contract on the table. Moreover, Cleveland can also look to use one of their picks to invest in a young rusher who can play behind Chubb and Hunt and add depth to the group for next season.

2. Find a young pass rusher who can stay long term

Without a doubt, the Browns got a steal when they secured the services of veteran defensive end Jadeveon Clowney for a one-year, bargain deal in the previous offseason. After a solid 2021 campaign for the former Pro Bowler, the two sides would surely want to run it back and retain him for next season.

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However, the Browns can't solely rely on the 28-year-old to stay at the helm on a long-term basis opposite Myles Garrett. Cleveland can opt to snag a younger talent in the free agency pool with the likes of Haason Reddick and Harold Landry who are just 27 and 25 years old, respectively, and have both shown their potential as reliable defenders in the league.

Certainly enough, having a young pass rusher would complement the team's ongoing youth movement in the defensive unit led by Denzel Ward and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. If they successfully find the right talent to invest in then they will surely have a more cohesive defensive front heading to 2022.

1. Be aggressive in pursuing a new WR1

The Browns previously acquired Odell Beckham Jr. via trade back in 2019 in hopes of him being their No. 1 receiver on the field. Unfortunately, that plan didn't pan out as they wanted it to be. He ended up having an underwhelming level of production and eventually found himself getting cut by the team.

As of the moment, they still have a five-time Pro Bowler in Jarvis Landry who seemingly regressed over the past two years due to injuries. Sophomore Donovan Peoples-Jones continues to improve though it will take a few more seasons in order for him to reach his maximum potential on the field.

Guys like Rashard Higgins and Anthony Schwartz have provided timely contributions though they will have to gain more playing experience in order to be consistent contributors for the Browns. Unfortunately, none of the guys have shown that they can live up to being the No. 1 option and compete on the level of the other WR1s in the league as of the moment.

Using their 13th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Browns can select an up-and-coming receiver with the likes of Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, and Jameson Williams. Acquiring another potent threat on the field will surely help the Browns' cause of having a more dynamic offensive attack next season.