AFC North Season Preview: Cleveland Browns

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And the last shall be first…in the order in which I’m choosing to review each AFC North team’s makeup and prospects for success in The NFL Year of Our COVID-19…in 2020.  I’ll run down the rosters and identify a few impact players, with some reasonably obvious conclusions you may or may not agree with, but hey…it’s FOOTBALL.

We continue with last season’s AFC North third-place finisher, the Cleveland Browns.

The 2019 Browns (6-10) were an exercise in frustration on several fronts.  The front office, having placed their trust in a first-year, clearly-overwhelmed head coach (the long-departed Freddie Kitchens) were obviously frustrated with the results.  The team, which underperformed due to poor schemes and lackluster play in key areas, was frustrated to the point of after-whistle altercations.  And the fans…typical low-level frustration with the Browns is nothing new, but fans were coerced by local and national media outlets into perhaps harboring higher expectations for the Browns than they were actually able to deliver.  That’s real frustration.

The 2020 Browns appear to have a leg up on their predecessor with the presence of new head coach Kevin Stefanski, who, as noted here previously, has a much more reasonable manner and established offensive background than the aforementioned Kitchens.  Changes to the roster have been subtle but notable, concentrating on “nuts and bolts” roster changes to the offensive and defensive lines and bolstering depth where possible.

Roster

There’s been little change in the Browns’ offensive skill positions; it’s hoped Stefanski’s run-heavy play-action schemes will benefit third-year QB Baker Mayfield by allowing him more time in the pocket.  Holdover RBs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt stand to benefit the most, as the Browns can choose between either’s considerable skills to match their on-field scenarios.  Starting WRs Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr. return in the same roles, while free agent TE Austin Hooper should provide the safety valve for Mayfield holdover TE David Njoku has yet to deliver.  The offensive line should be much improved on its edges, with free agent RT Jack Conklin and massive rookie LT Jedrick Wills stepping in to address one of the weaker areas for the team.

The strength of the defense remains the defensive line, with standout DE Myles Garrett set to capitalize on his excellent, albeit discipline-shortened 2019 season.  Fellow DE Olivier Vernon should also improve after a year in the organization.  The secondary will benefit greatly if the combination of CBs Denzel Ward and Greedy Williams continue to progress and stay healthy; with Ward flashing Pro Bowl potential and with favorable comparisons to other “shutdown” CBs around the NFL, there’s no reason to think this unit will backslide.  The starting LB corp of OLB Sione Takitaki, MLB B.J. Goodson and OLB Tae Davis isn’t encouraging, sporting a total of 6.5 career sacks and roughly 150 tackles between them.  The Browns may have trouble stopping the run at times this season, so outstanding secondary play and moving safeties Karl Joseph and Andrew Sendejo closer to the line may be routine during first and second downs.  Keep an eye out for late additions here.

The Browns will finally enjoy some consistency with their special teams personnel, as holdovers Austin Seibert (PK) and Jamie Gillan (P) reprise their 2019 roles.

Breakout Potential

While not exactly an unknown, RB Kareem Hunt is worth watching, as he’s reportedly healthy and free of legal obligations.  Hunt was a consistent Pro Bowl performer for the Kansas City Chiefs prior to his release; if he can replicate that level of production alongside last season’s #2 rusher in Nick Chubb, the Browns may challenge for a division title…

Prediction

…but probably won’t.  While the Browns will score a lot of points this season, their run defense is suspect enough to allow other teams to do the same.  There will be a lot of high-scoring, close games for the 2020 Browns, so eyeballing anything other than a 9-7 record would be a little too presumptive.  A three-game improvement is a good thing, no?

 

Next up:  the Pittsburgh Steelers

 

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