The Cleveland Browns along with primarily the Raiders have been the most moribund franchise in the NFL for seemingly all of recent history. The Browns finished tied for the league’s worst record this past season which is a typical occurrence for the franchise unfortunately. The bright spot should be viewed in that the Detroit Lions up until very recently were in that same group as well but have now turned into a juggernaut that is a perennial Super Bowl threat. The Browns have a remarkable head coach in Kevin Stefanski who is only one of sixteen NFL head coaches ever who has won NFL coach of the year honors multiple times. The Browns currently also have five quarterbacks on their roster so there is a good chance that one of those players can emerge as a high-level starter for the team as their best will be forced out of them. Heading into next season the Browns can certainly threaten to make the postseason if they can get strong quarterback play from one or more of the QBs on their roster currently. Dillon Gabriel, Deshaun Watson, Kenny Pickett, Shedeur Sanders, and Joe Flacco are all capable players and it will be interesting to see who wins the Browns starting quarterback job heading into next season. Regardless of who wins the starting job, head coach Kevin Stefanski will have his work out cut out for him to turn around an offense that was likely the weakest in the NFL a season ago.
The Browns on the offensive side of the ball were in the definitive discussion for being the weakest team in the NFL a season ago. The major offensive metrics for the Browns for the 2024 season can be found below.
Browns 2024 Key Offensive Metrics
32nd in points per game
28th in yards per game
32nd in overall offense grade according to Pro Football Focus
As you can see from the above the Browns were perhaps the weakest offensive team in the league scoring the least amount of points in the regular season with Pro Football Focus grading their offense as the worst in the NFL. Which is especially concerning given Browns’ head coach Kevin Stefanski’s offensive background. Quarterback Deshaun Watson even when he was on the field before suffering a season ending injury did not look like an NFL caliber starter or even a capable backup during the time he spent on the field. Watson’s time in the NFL could be dwindling but Cleveland is optimistic he can still recapture his Houston form. Once he went down with an injury, multiple quarterbacks stepped in for him, firstly Jameis Winston, then Dorian Thompson Robinson, and finally Bailey Zappe to end the season. The Browns QB position was likely the least desirable in the NFL this past season which is a large part of what led to their above poor offensive ranks and their league record which was tied for the worst in the NFL. Heading into next season Stefanski and the Browns front office are optimistic that one of the five quarterbacks currently on the roster can bring some stability to the quarterback position. Kevin Stefanski is a very bright offensive mind given his two NFL head coach of the year honors as an offensive minded head coach, but the Browns quarterback spot and also their remaining offensive personnel was amongst the weakest in the league this past season. I have conducted an evaluation of the Browns remaining offensive personnel from this past season and also heading into next season as well which can be found below. I included the offense grade that Pro Football Focus assigned them over the course of the 2024 season and I have also included my own subjective grade of the player that indicates how strong of players I deem them to be in totality outside of just the 2024 season. This subjective grade is based on yearly statistical output and yearly subjective grades given to them by Pro Football Focus as well.
Browns Starting Offensive Lineman
LT – Dawand Jones – (83/87) offense grade in 2024 over 511 snaps, C
LG – Joel Bitonio – (41/83) offense grade in 2024 over 1178 snaps, B+ to A-
C – Ethan Pocic – (23/43) offense grade in 2024 over 1073 snaps, B to B-
RG – Wyatt Teller – (47/83) offense grade in 2024 over 885 snaps, B to B+
RT – Jack Conklin – (47/87) offense grade in 2024 over 818 snaps, B
Browns Reserve Offensive Lineman
T – Lorenzo Thompson – 0 career snaps, undrafted 2024
G – Teven Jenkins – (15/83) offense grade in 2024 over 738 snaps for Bears, B+ to A-
C – Luke Wypler – (24/58) offense grade over 57 career snaps all in 2023, B in very limited snaps
G – Zak Zinter – (79/83) offense grade in 2024 over 233 snaps, D so far as 2024 third rounder
T – Cornelius Lucas – (26/87) offense grade in 2024 over 464 snaps for Was, B to B-
C – Nick Harris – (43/43) offense grade over 90 snaps in 2024, C to C+
G – Michael Dunn – (79/83) offense grade over 171 snaps in 2024, C+
T – Germain Ifedi – (79/87) offense grade over 539 snaps in 2024, C
T – Julian Pearl – 0 career snaps, undrafted
G – Javion Cohen – 0 career snaps, undrafted
T – Roy Mbaeteka – 0 career snaps, undrafted
Browns offensive lineman from 2024 not currently or no longer on team
T – Jedrick Wills Jr – (75/87) offense grade over 245 snaps in 2024, C, currently free agent
T – James Hudson III – (113/140) offense grade over 222 snaps in 2024, C, now on Giants
Browns 2024 Key Offensive Line Metrics
27th in pass blocking grade according to Pro Football Focus
30th in run blocking grade according to Pro Football Focus
Gave up 2nd most sacks
24th in pass blocking efficiency according to Pro Football Focus
As you can see from the above data the Browns had one of the weakest offensive lines a season ago ranking in the bottom five in three of the four major metrics with the one metric, they did not rank bottom five in, they still ranked bottom ten in. From a personnel standpoint the team is actually pretty stout up front and despite being solid in terms of talent they drastically underperformed, which led to the Browns firing their offensive line coach after the season. If you look at the above data the only real weak link on the starting offensive line is starting left tackle Dawand Jones. Jones was a 2023 4th round pick who had a decent rookie season but like many of the remaining Browns offensive lineman, his play nosedived this past season. As a rookie, Jones ranked (19/58) in terms of pass blocking efficiency and (51/89) in terms of offense grade which is not easy to do as a rookie. His play unfortunately ranked among the weakest offensive lineman in the league this past season. Perhaps with a new offensive line coach, Jones can build upon his solid rookie campaign and become a solid starter for the Browns going forward. At left guard Joel Bitonio has been a star in the NFL for most of his career but like multiple other Browns offensive lineman in 2024, had a really down year. Bitonio for the past several seasons prior to the 2024 campaign was amongst the premier interior offensive lineman in the sport on a year in year out basis. But in the 2024 season, he was unfortunately closer to average. Perhaps with the new offensive line coach and just a revamped offensive culture in general, Bitonio can recapture his elite form heading into next season. At starting center a similar story was unfortunately the case for the Browns this past season. Ethan Pocic, in terms of an offense grade as a starting center, was slightly below average in the 2024 season but was above average to well above average in that same department the previous three seasons. Just like the first two starting offensive lineman for the Browns, his play dipped primarily just in the 2024 season. Perhaps Pocic with the new offensive line coach and also the revamped offensive culture with more stable quarterback play as well can recapture his old form. A similar story persists for starting right guard Wyatt Teller as well. From the 2020 season to the 2023 season Teller consistently ranked as a borderline elite starting NFL guard but in the 2024 season he ranked slightly below average. Perhaps he can also recapture some of his old form heading into next season for the Browns. Starting tackle Jack Conklin has been marred by inconsistency not just in the 2024 season but throughout his career as well despite showing a very high ceiling. In eight seasons as a starting tackle Conklin has ranked above average in terms of an offense grade five times but below average three times including the below average rank this past season as well. However, the previous two below average ranks were in large part due to injury while Conklin stayed mostly healthy for the third below average ranking which was this past season. Conklin is an above average to a well above average starting offensive linemen when on his A game. If he can recapture his A game next season for similar reasons to the other Browns offensive lineman recapturing theirs, then Cleveland will be in good shape. The Browns as of now are also one of the deepest teams on the offensive front as well. Guard Teven Jenkins who was acquired from the Bears this offseason, has been an above average to a well above starter at guard for his career who will threaten to win a starting role. Regardless of whether he starts or not the Browns will have perhaps the premier reserve interior offensive lineman in the NFL in Jenkins, or if one of the starters transitions to a reserve role. Tackle Cornelius Lucas has been a solid NFL player for most of his career and could also threaten for a starting role and worst-case scenario the Browns will have one of the premier backup tackles in the sport. If you reference the personnel data above, the Browns also have more than a few remaining highly capable backups as well such as Luke Wypler. The Browns offensive line performed like one of the weakest units in the league this past season. But in my estimation, they have what it takes to do a complete 180 and be a very strong to a borderline elite unit heading into next season. I have conducted a similar analysis of the Brown’s skill position players from a season ago as well which can be found below.
Browns Receivers and Running Backs
HB1 – Jerome Ford – (29/58) offense grade in 2024 in 14 games, C+ to B-
HB2 – Quinshon Judkins – 2025 second round pick
HB3 – Dylan Sampson – 2025 fourth round pick
HB4 – Pierre Strong Jr – (52/57) offense grade in 2024 in 12 games, C to C+
HB5 – D’Onta Foreman – (58/58) offense grade in 2024 in 10 games, C to C+
WR1 – Jerry Jeudy – (37/110) offense grade in 2024 in 17 games, B to B-
WR2 – Cedric Tillman – (78/110) offense grade in 2024 in 11 games, C to C-
WR3 – Diontae Johnson – (67/110) offense grade in 2024 in 12 games for Hou, Car, BLT, C+ to B-
WR4 – Michael Woods II – (110/110) offense grade in 2024 in 5 games, D
WR5 – Jamari Thrash – 2024 5th round pick
WR6 – DeAndre Carter – (107/110) offense grade in 2024 in 8 games for Bears, D+
WR7 – David Bell – 3 receptions in 1 game in 2024, C
WR8 – Kaden Davis – 0 career receptions, undrafted 2022
TE1 – David Njoku – (28/45) offense grade in 2024 in 11 games, B to B-
TE2 – Harold Fanin Jr – 3rd round pick 2025
TE3 – Blake Whiteheart – 6 career receptions in two seasons
TE4 – Brenden Bates – 0 career receptions, undrafted 2024
Browns Receivers and Running backs from 2024 not currently or no longer on team
HB – Nick Chubb – (55/58) offense grade in 2024 in 8 games, C+, currently free agent
HB – Jacob Kibodi – 5 career rush attempts and 1 career reception, currently free agent
TE – Geoff Swaim – 1 rec in 2024, D+ to C-, currently free agent
TE – Jordan Akins – (21/45) offense grade in 2024 in 17 games, C+, currently free agent
WR – Amari Cooper – (82/110) offense grade in 2024 in 6 games for Browns, C+, now on Bills
WR – James Proche II – 3 receptions in 6 games in 2024, D+, now on Titans
WR – Kadarius Toney – 0 receptions in 3 games in 2024, C+ to B-, currently free agent
WR – Jaelon Darden – 9 receptions in 3 seasons, currently free agent
WR – Elijah Moore – (99/110) offense grade in 2024 in 17 games, C to C+, now on Bills
The Browns skill position players are indeed lacking but there are some bright spots. Jerome Ford led the team in rushing attempts and rushing yards this past season and is capable out of the backfield. Ford average a remarkable 5.4 yards per attempt amassing over 500 yards this past season with Pro Football Focus grading him (29/58) among qualified running backs in terms of an offense grade. This was with the Browns offensive line being graded as amongst the weakest run blocking lines in the NFL this past season as well. Ford is a capable number one back but because of the decline and now the likely departure of once superstar Nick Chubb, the Browns have drafted two running backs in the draft. Quinshon Judkins was drafted in the 2nd round while Dylan Sampson was drafted in the 4th round. If Ford can maintain or even improve his strong play from a season ago and if Judkins especially can perform to near his potential in year 1, the Browns will have a very formidable running back tandem. Jerry Jeudy, the once first round pick who I coincidentally went to high school with, had a career year this past season for the Browns after struggling with consistency in his first NFL stint with the Broncos. Jeudy had over 1200 yards which ranked in the top 6 among all wide outs, Jeudy was still only graded (37/110) in terms of an overall offense grade according to Pro Football Focus, however. Going into next season Jeudy should continue to improve as he was able to have a career year this past season despite the Browns being perhaps the worst offensive situation in the NFL a season ago. Jeudy is likely not a star #1 wideout but is capable of being in a leading wide out role and at worst he is a very capable #2 wide out in the NFL. Wide receiver Diontae Johnson who jumped between three different teams last season due to attitude concerns recently signed with the Browns as well. Johnson has struggled with consistency in his career but is a very capable player when on his mark. In six NFL seasons accumulating extended snaps he has ranked above average in terms of an offense grade on three separate occasions. Johnson is a capable #2 wide out but is likely better served as an outstanding #3 wide out. David Njoku is a highly capable tight end who has struggled with consistency but when at or near peak form is an above average to a well above average starting tight end. His lack of consistency is likely due to being in poor offensive circumstances on a consistent year-in-year-out basis with the Browns. Jordan Akins was productive as the team’s #2 tight end a season ago but is currently a free agent and the Browns have drafted a tight end in the third round of this past year’s draft to likely take his spot.
Overall, on the offensive side of the ball the Browns by all major metrics were the weakest team in the NFL this past season. This was due to a highly erratic and injury riddled quarterback position and average at best caliber offensive personnel surround the QB spot. Heading into next season there is reason for optimism however as the team has five quarterbacks on the roster currently including four new ones to compete for the starting position. Shedeur Sanders at the end of the college season was in line to be the first overall pick in the NFL draft but the Browns were able to nab him in the 5th round of the draft. Dillon Gabriel lead an explosive Oregon Ducks offense and is one of the most decorated college quarterbacks ever, currently ranking 2nd all time in terms of yards thrown for on the collegiate level. The Browns were able to nab Gabriel in the third round of the NFL draft and he will have a chance to compete for the starting position. Deshaun Watson despite his off-the-field regressions and his massive failures on the field with the Browns, was still a Patrick Mahomes/Lamar Jackson caliber of player not too long ago and still has not turned 30 yet. Joe Flacco was once a Super Bowl MVP and has looked productive in recent memory in the NFL, even with the Browns a few seasons ago. Kenny Pickett was a first-round pick in recent memory and started the majority of games for a Steelers team that made the postseason and looked excellent in limited time on the field as a backup for the Eagles this past season as well. Kevin Stefanski is still one of the premier offensive minds in the NFL in my estimation and I think the best option for him at quarterback would be Shedeur Sanders. In terms of an offensive head coach and quarterback combination, Stefanski + Sanders would parallel that of the defending Eagles in Sirianni + Hurts. As both Stefanski and Sirianni are bright offensive minds as head coaches who got off to very strong starts as NFL head coaches but eventually ran into difficulties and were both questioned as NFL head coaches as a result. Both Sanders and Hurts are dual threats quarterbacks who were overlooked in the NFL draft because as dual threat players their athletic ability does not blow you away although both are more than capable athletes at the position. From an offensive line standpoint, the Browns if the line can play to their potential would have five strong starters which would mirror the defending Champion Eagles’ elite offensive front from this past season as well. Quinshon Judkins and Jerome Ford out the backfield have unlimited potential and although neither will likely be Saquon Barkley, either player has what it takes to not be too far off. David Njoku for the Browns and Goedert for the defending Champion Eagles are similar types of talents at tight end as well. Jerry Jeudy is certainly a Devonta Smith type of star #2 wide out and could certainly become a legitimate #1 wide out mirroring A.J Brown for the Eagles if Jeudy continues to improve. Diontae Johnson can be a solid #2 wide out for the Browns playing the Devonta Smith role in that regard as well. However, these are all just a bunch of could bes and what ifs akin to what can be said of many teams every offseason especially after the draft. But if the Browns can put it all together and the players/units can play to their potential they would have no legitimate holes offensively. With Kevin Stefanski being an offensive minded head coach who is only one of sixteen NFL head coaches ever to win multiple NFL head coach of the year awards. With Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson having superstar ceilings at the QB position as well.
The defensive side of the ball was also a concern for the Browns although a lesser one and there were more bright spots with the defense a season ago. The major defensive ranks for the Browns this past season can be found below.
Browns 2024 Defensive Ranks
28th in yards per game allowed
27th in points per game allowed
8th in overall defense grade according to Pro Football Focus
The Browns are in a similar boat to the Raiders and Titans heading into next season. All three teams are coming off very disappointing seasons where each of them finished with amongst the league’s worst records. All three teams are in line to improve next season in particular because they are in line to see a large improvement from the QB spot. The Raiders having signed Geno Smith, the Browns adding four new quarterbacks this offseason, and the Titans drafting Cam Ward first overall. All three teams have respectable to good offensive personnel and all three teams struggled defensively a season ago. Out of the three teams I liken the Browns chances the most because based on last season and also the previous season they have the most redeeming defensive qualities out of the three teams. Although the Raiders and Titans have redeeming defensive qualities as well such as the presence of Pete Carroll for Las Vegas and the Titans allowing the 2nd fewest yards a season ago. The Browns ranked in the bottom five of the NFL in terms of both points and yards allowed this past season but were able to rank in the top 10 in terms of an overall defense grade. The bottom five ranking in both yards and points allowed is in large part due to the offense putting the defense in comprised situations as the Browns were arguably the league’s weakest offense a season ago scoring the least amount of points putting the defense in harms way. Although the 8th overall defense grade is indeed subjective, being ranked in the top ten as an overall defense is nothing to summarily dismiss. In the 2023 season the Browns had an elite defense leading the NFL in yards per game allowed by a margin in the regular season and being graded as a top 6 defense in the NFL in the regular season. The Browns in the 2023 season were historically great in terms of yards per game allowed as well as they allowed the fewest yards per game since the 2014 Legion of Boom Seahawks that ranked amongst the greatest defenses in NFL history. Through the first five games of the 2023 season the Browns allowed the fewest yards in the NFL through the first five games in over 50 years. The Raiders, Browns, and Titans all ranked near the bottom of the league in terms of defense a season ago but I like the Browns the most defensively out of the three. As many of the players and still defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz remain from the 2023 rendition of the Browns defense and the Browns ranked in the top 10 in terms of an overall defense grade this past season. While the Raiders and Titans ranked in the bottom half of the NFL in that department this past season. I have conducted a similar unit by unit analysis of the Browns on the defensive side of the ball just like I did for the offense. The Browns as you will see below have plenty of talent on the defensive end, much of which still remains from the 2023 defense which was historic in certain regards. So, there is plenty of optimism that Cleveland can recapture elite defensive form next season.
Browns Starting Front Seven
ED – Myles Garrett – (2/135) defense grade over 822 snaps in 2024, A+
DT – Maliek Collins – (72/146) defense grade over 715 snaps in 2024 for 49ers, C to C+
DT – Mason Graham – 2025 1st round pick, 4th overall
ED – Isaiah McGuire – (11/135) defense grade in 2024 over 469 snaps, B+ to A- in limited snaps
WLB – Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah – (7/92) defense grade in 2024 over 460 snaps, B+ to A-
MLB – Jordan Hicks – (9/92) defense grade in 2024, B+
SLB – Carson Schwesinger – 2025 second round, 33rd overall first pick of second round
Browns Reserve Front Seven
ED – Ogbo Okronkwo – (131/135) defense grade over 464 snaps in 2024, C+
DT – Jowon Briggs – (21/146) defense grade over 133 snaps in 2024, 2024 7th rd, limited snaps
DT – Shelby Harris – (37/146) defense grade over 527 snaps in 2024, B+
ED – Joe Tryon-Shoyinka – (124/135) defense grade over 539 snaps in 2024 for TB, C to C+
LB – Devin Bush – (8/92) defense grade over 497 snaps in 2024, C+ to B-
LB – Jerome Baker – (55/92) defense grade over 566 snaps in 2024 for Tenn/Sea, C+ to B-
LB – Mohamoud Diabate – (80/92) defense grade in 2024 over 581 snaps, C to C-
ED – Alex Wright – (82/135) defense grade in 2024 over 103 snaps, C
DT – Ralph Holley – 2025 undrafted free agent
DT – Sam Kamara – (41/146) defense grade in 2024 over 273 snaps, B-
ED – Marcus Haynes – undrafted 2023, 0 career snaps
LB – Winston Reid – (81/92) defense grade in 2024 over 144 snaps, C- so far as 2024 undrafted FA
LB – Julian Okwara – (76/135) defense grade in 2024 over 286 snaps in 2024 for Arz, C to C+
ED – Cameron Thomas – (40/135) defense grade in 2024 over 69 snaps, C+ to B-
DT – Mike Hall Jr – (34/146) defense grade in 2024 over 232 snaps, B so far as 2024 2nd rounder
DT – Jowan Briggs – (20/146) defense grade in 2024 over 133 snaps, B+ to A- so far as ‘24 7th rounder
ED – Elerson G. Smith – (130/135) defense grade in 2024 over 20 snaps, D
DT – Michael Dwumfor – only 5 snaps in 2024, D
ED – James Houston – poor in 141 snaps in 2024, D+ to C-
LB – Nathaniel Watson – (40/92) defense grade in 2024 over 55 snaps, B- so far as 2024 6th rounder
Browns Front Seven from 2024 not currently or no longer on team
DT – T.Y McGill – (23/146) defense grade in 2024 over 23 snaps, C+, free agent
DT – Quinton Jefferson – (106/146) defense grade in 2024 over 252 snaps, C to C+, free agent
DT – Dalvin Tomlinson – (35/146) defense grade in 2024 over 609 snaps, B+, now on Cardinals
DT – Maurice Hurst – (126/146) defense grade in 2024 over 164 snaps, B, free agent
ED – Zadarius Smith – (27/135) defense grade in 2024 over 615 snaps, B to B+, free agent
LB – Khaleke Hudson – poor in 13 snaps in 2024, C+, free agent
LB – Tony Fields II – only 14 snaps in 2024, D+, now on Rams
As you can see from the above data, the Browns have one of the most talented front sevens in the NFL. Many of the players such as their first two draft picks this season are unproven and many of the players have shown high end capabilities but not consistently or long enough. But in terms of a pure ceiling as a front seven, the Browns are as good as anyone. If the unit reaches at or near its full potential, the Browns will be as good as anyone including the Eagles in their front seven. I have conducted a similar analysis of the team’s secondary which can be found below.
Browns Starting Secondary
CB – Denzel Ward – (44/128) defense grade in 2024 over 757 snaps, B+
SS – Grant Delpit – (49/104) defense grade in 2024 over 976 snaps, C+ to B-
FS – Ronnie Hickman – (12/104) defense grade in 2024 over 463 snaps, A
CB – Martin Emerson Jr – (121/128) defense grade in 2024 over 827 snaps, C+ to B-
NB – Greg Newsome II – (112/128) defense grade in 2024 over 571 snaps, B to B+
Browns Reserve Secondary
CB – Chigozie Anusiem – 8 career snaps, undrafted 2024
FS – Trey Dean III – 0 career snaps, undrafted 2023
CB – Cameron Mitchell – (110/128) defense grade in 2024 over 371 snaps, C-
NB – Myles Harden – poor in 53 career snaps, 2024 7th rounder, D
CB – Anthony Kendall – 3 career snaps, undrafted 2023
CB – Tony Brown II – DNP in 2024, D, undrafted FA 2018
S – Chris Edmonds – 3 career snaps, undrafted 2024
NB – Nik Needham – only 1 snap in 2024, C+
Browns Secondary from 2024 not currently or no longer on team
CB – Mike Ford – poor in 58 snaps in 2024, now on Falcons
S – Rodney McLeod – (96/104) defense grade in 2024 over 565 snaps, C+ to B-, retired
S – Juan Thornhill – (46/104) defense grade in 2024 over 401 snaps, B-, now on Steelers
S – D’Anthony Bell – (81/103) defense grade in 2024 over 92 snaps, B- now on Seahawks
As you can see from the above data the Browns have a solid to an above average secondary that is indeed lacking in depth and is not as formidable as the front seven. They have three players in line to start on the backend who I graded to be in the B+ range or higher which is not easy to come by.
In totality with the Browns on defense their front seven is amongst the most talented in the game although they have many young unproven players and/or players who have not proven to be overly consistent but have shown a high ceiling. Their defense in 2023 led by defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz was historically great and although the unit ranked near the bottom of the league in terms of points/yards allowed this past season, they were still graded top 10 in the NFL by Pro Football Focus. As the poor standing in terms of statistical output was in large part due to the offense putting the defense in comprised situations. There is no reason the Browns cannot have one of the premier defenses in the sport next season especially if they were to improve offensively.
The Browns were tied for the league’s worst record this past season but there is far too much to be optimistic about heading into the future. Shedeur Sanders was in line to be the first overall pick for most of the college season and the Browns were able to nab a potential star franchise QB in the 5th round. The Browns also have four other quarterbacks on their roster that could give them some high-end production as well. On the defensive side of the ball the team can be as good as anyone in the NFL next season if the unit reaches its potential. On the offensive side of the ball, head coach Stefanski with an offensive background is one of only sixteen head coaches ever who have NFL head coach of the year honors multiple times. The offensive line can be amongst the better units in the league and the Browns can be solid from a skill position standpoint as well. Cleveland has many what ifs as a team heading into next season and they certainly could compete to make the postseason. But they play in maybe the toughest division in the NFL, have far too much uncertainty at QB, and from a skill position standpoint project to be perhaps slightly above average at best. The Browns are akin to the 2024 Broncos where both teams have potentially elite defenses, very smart offensive minded head coaches, a QB in Nix/Sanders who are rookies who can certainly be capable starters but likely never superstars, and skill position players that are lacking in firepower with strong offensive lines, however. The 2024 Broncos playing in the good but not great AFC West went 10-7 and made the playoffs, the Browns next season playing in the AFC North which could easily be the toughest division in the NFL with even more uncertainly at QB, project to be a 7-10 or 8-9 caliber team that misses the postseason.
