It's been bad for Browns fans ever since the team (via expansion) returned to Cleveland in 1999, but things reached rock bottom last year when they became just the second team in NFL history to go 0-16. New general manager John Dorsey responded by replacing 59% of the roster, and now this Browns team looks like the most talented iteration yet. Will it be enough to break the stigma of being the NFL's laughing stock?
Browns Offense
DeShone Kizer had potential, and still does, but he was put in basically the worst possible position last year. He entered the draft early, before he was ready for the NFL. This put him at an immediate advantage.
Then, Kizer was drafted by Cleveland, and he was immediately the Browns' most talented QB in years. The problem with this was that he became the starter much quicker than he should have. He had the burden of leading a team thrust onto his shoulders, despite being one of the youngest QBs in NFL history.
An underdeveloped quarterback, plus a bad receiving corps, plus an unsupportive coach (Hue Jackson went back on his word multiple times, even benching Kizer for a game despite saying he wouldn't), plus questionable play-calling (Cleveland attempted 574 passes, ninth in the league) equals disaster. Kizer threw 22 interceptions and fumbled nine times. He was traded to the Green Bay Packers in the offseason, where he will begin developing the right way.
Kizer's replacement is first overall pick Baker Mayfield. Mayfield has tremendous expectations in front of him, but if everything goes according to plan, he won't see the field at all during his rookie season. That's because the Browns traded for Tyrod Taylor in the offseason, presenting a stark contrast from last year.
Kizer is a big-armed pocket passer who likes to take risks and throw the ball downfield. Taylor is the opposite. He is a mobile QB who protects the ball. He threw just 16 picks in his three seasons for Buffalo. With turnovers dramatically reduced, Cleveland's improved skill position talent should be able to make more of an impact.
Carlos Hyde was brought over from San Francisco to start at running back, but the position will be a committee. Duke Johnson is arguably the best receiving back in the league, and rookie Nick Chubb is coming off of a legendary career at Georgia. This three-headed monster should easily eclipse the 1,714 yards and 11 touchdowns the Browns managed on the ground last season.
A similar improvement should take place through the air. Former Dolphins Pro Bowler Jarvis Landry headlines the receiving corps, along with the All-World Josh Gordon. Dynamic rookie Antonio Callaway rounds out a trio that could be one of the league's best. Combined with athletic freak David Njoku, this group of weapons will give Taylor no excuses.
It sounds odd to say, but Cleveland's biggest question mark is the offensive line. All-time great Joe Thomas retired, leaving a gaping hole at left tackle, one the team has still yet to figure out how to fill just days from the season opener. 2016 third-rounder Shon Coleman was though to be the front-runner, but he quickly fell out of favor, ending the preseason as the third-string right tackle before being traded to the 49ers for a seventh-round pick.
The next option (plan Z as it were) is to move Joel Bitonio, one of the NFL's best guards, to the outside. This worked reasonably well, but it apparently wasn't good enough, as the team is seriously considering starting undrafted free agent rookie Desmond Harrison at the blindside in Week 1. This move would allow Bitonio to move back to guard, but it would also allow an undrafted free agent rookie to start at left tackle.
Other than the chaos on the left side, the rest of the line is solid. Rookie Austin Corbett will start at guard if Bitonio is moved to tackle. Kevin Zeitler is another elite player, giving the Browns arguably the league's best guard duo. J.C. Tretter is a solid center, and former Steeler Chris Hubbard gets a chance to prove his solid play as a backup for the Pittsburgh Steelers wasn't a fluke.
Browns Defense
Cleveland's defense was middle-of-the-road in 2017. They boasted the seventh-ranked rushing defense, but they gave up the second-most points. They just couldn't stop the pass, and that led to the secondary getting a complete remodel. All six cornerbacks are new, with Briean-Boddy Calhoun moved to free safety.
Fourth-overall pick Denzel Ward will look to follow in the footsteps of former teammate and current Saints star Marshon Lattimore. E.J. Gaines and T.J. Carrie were signed after solid seasons, and Terrance Mitchell had a fantastic preseason.
The biggest change may be at the safety position. Last year, Jabrill Peppers was forced to play the angel position, lining up 25 yards from the line of scrimmage in order to prevent the deep ball. Now, Damarious Randall will take over that role, allowing Peppers to play his natural position of strong safety. The Browns have fantastic depth behind those two in Boddy-Calhoun and Derrick Kindred.
With three Pro-Bowl level players in Christian Kirksey, Joe Schobert, and Jamie Collins, linebacker is Cleveland's deepest position. At least, it was a week ago. On August 31st, the Browns released Mychal Kendricks after it was revealed he was charged with insider trading by the SEC. Now, instead of having a very good starter as their backup, Cleveland is in deep trouble if any of the three go down.
Defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah is back from a broken foot, and the depth behind him and the other starting defensive lineman has been shuffled in hopes of finding a starting-caliber player to rotate in on third downs. LB/DE Genard Avery's preseason performance made him look like the steal of the draft. Trevon Coley and Larry Ogunjobi are solid in the middle, if unspectacular.
The Browns best player lines up opposite of Ogbah. Myles Garrett, the first overall pick in 2017, had a great rookie season in spite of nagging injuries that cost him five games and limited him in others. Now fully healthy, he is expected to make the jump and join the NFL's elite pass rushers.
2018 Browns Outlook
On paper, this is a playoff-caliber roster, but this team has also won just one game over the past two years. Until Hue Jackson proves his doubters wrong, we can't assume that the Browns will live up to their potential. One thing is for certain; this team should not be the worst in the league for the third consecutive season.
The Browns should be in contention for a Wild Card spot deep into the season, but no one should be picking the Browns to make the playoffs, at least not yet. It's been said many times before, but this might finally be the season things change in Cleveland.
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