Coming off a playoff season for the first time since 2020 and still features one of the most talent-ridden rosters in the NFL, managed by one of the best coaching staffs in the NFL. The Cleveland Browns are determined to ride on that success with their team's many stars and key players. That includes the return of superstar ball-carrier Nick Chubb from a gruesome knee injury that cut short his season by the second game on a Monday Night against the Steelers. Reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Myles Garrett will once again lead a defense that finished top five in points allowed and yards allowed last year.
Additions include Jerry Jeudy, who was traded from Denver to be another reliable receiving target, opposite Amari Cooper and David Njoku. Along with the free agent signings of veteran running backs Nyheim Hines and D'onta Foreman to bring the Browns' running game back to full strength. Head coach Kevin Stefanski, defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, and new offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey should be the big three to manage all of this talent the Browns have to work with.
Cleveland Browns Offense
Quarterback (3) - Deshaun Watson, Jameis Winston, Tyler Huntley
Outside Looking In - Dorian Thompson-Robinson
Watson will be the definite starter behind center for this season. Jameis Winston should be a lock for the Browns' second-string quarterback. Tyler Huntley has the edge on Dorian Thompson-Robinson for the third-string spot on the roster with his experience. But, for Tyler Huntley, going from being a reliable backup for Lamar Jackson to now competing for a third-string spot on the depth chart puts a serious chip on his shoulder.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson had to learn on the fly when he had to take snaps midseason during his midseason. He displayed many fundamental flaws while displaying the athleticism he showed off back at UCLA. Being the youngest and most inexperienced of the crop makes him the most likely to pack his bags.
Running Back/Fullback (5) - Nick Chubb, D'onta Foreman, Nyheim Hines, Jerome Ford, Ricci Giovanni
Outside Looking In - John Kelly Jr., Pierre Strong Jr.
The running game should return to full strength by midseason when Chubb should return. Meanwhile, throughout last season, Jerome Ford proved to be a solid relief ball carrier. He rushed for 813 yards and four touchdowns while catching five extra touchdowns. He, along with the experience and wisdom of both Foreman and Hines. Foreman brings physicality and an excellent sense for the endzone, while Hines brings versatility with his catching and kick return skills to the running-back room. John Kelly Jr. is heading into his fourth season with the Browns and has been buried under the depth chart over the past three seasons.
Wide Receiver (6) - Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy, Elijah Moore, Cedric Tillman, David Bell, James Proche II
Outside Looking In - Jaelon Darden, Michael Woods II
Amari Cooper returned to Pro Bowl form, and David Njoku finally played like the first-round draft pick from the Miami Hurricanes that they went after in 2017, which opened up Cleveland's offense in so many ways possible last season. Acquiring Jerry Jeudy should open it up even more despite his potential yet being reached during his four seasons with the Broncos. He came close to capturing his first thousand-yard season in 2022 when he had a career-high 972 yards and six touchdown catches. Elijah Moore moving to the slot is the perfect place for his skill set, which could turn him into a tremendous third-down target for Watson to throw to. In their sophomore season, Cedric Tillman and David Bell should be solid backups for Amari Cooper and Jerry Jeudy.
Tight End (2) - David N'Joku, Jordan Atkins
Outside Looking In - Zaire Mitchell-Paden
David Njoku is finally getting into the groove of the Browns' offense and becoming one of the most dangerous tight ends in the NFL. Jordan Atkins is another tight end with the athleticism to spread the field with vertical and cross-route running. His hands are supreme as much as his run after the catch. Zaire Mitchell-Paden is the possible odd man out due to his bouncing around betweenthe practice squad and the active roster.
Offensive Tackle (4) - Jedrick Wills Jr., Dawand Jones, Jack Conklin, James Hudson II
Outside Looking In - Hakeem Adeniji, Germain Ifedi, Roy Mbaeteka
Jack Conklin's injury history makes him vulnerable to losing a starting job and maybe a job in the league. Dwand Jones from Ohio State, in his first nine starts last year, showed power and stability at the right tackle position needed for years to come. Jedrick Wills Jr. has been an average offensive tackle at best and is stepping into his contract year. Germain Ifedi has been one of the worst at the position for years and can't seem to find the right place to fit in heading into his eighth season.
Interior Offensive Lineman (6) - Joel Bitonio, Wyatt Teller, Ethan Pocic, Zak Zinter, Luke Wypier, Michael Dunn
Outside Looking In - Brian Allen, Dawson Deaton, Zack Johnson
Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller are, without a doubt, the best guard duo in the NFL right now and will most likely finish the 2024 season keeping that title. Ethan Pocic remains the patrolman of the offensive line at center, with Luke Wypier from Ohio State backing him up for the season. Brian Allen, the eight-year veteran from the Rams and Vikings, has been placed on injured reserve. That gives former USFL star Zack Johnson a chance to compete for a spot on the roster with Dawson Deaton and Michael Dunn.
Cleveland Browns Defense
Edge Rushers (5) - Myles Garrett, Za'Darius Smith, Alex Wright, Ogbo Okoronkwo, Sam Kamara
Outside Looking In - Isaiah McGuire, Lonnie Phelps
Future Hall of Famer Myles Garrett will be willing to lead one of the best defenses in the NFL and go out to earn another Defensive Player of the Year award. Za'Darius Smith will opposite side of him and Alex Wright or Ogbo Okorobkwo will tag him out for him to take a break if needed. Sam Kamara is undersized for the position at six feet, but he should make up for it with his athleticism, and staying healthy would make sure he keeps his spot on the roster.
Interior Defensive Lineman (5) - Shelby Harris, Quinton Jefferson, Dalvin Tomlinson, Mike Hall Jr., Maurice Hurst II
Outside Looking In - Siaki Ika, Jayden Peevy, Chris Williams, Jowon Briggs
There is a lot of veteran leadership and pro wisdom on the front for the Browns. Between Harris, Jefferson, Tomlinson, and Hurst, you have 31 years in the league and multiple trips to the postseason. They should help talented youngsters, such as rookie Mike Hall Jr. from Ohio State and Jowon Briggs from the University of Cincinnati. Chris Williams is the only other defensive tackle with more than two years of pro experience and is competing for a depth chart position with Siaki Ika and Jayden Peevy.
Linebacker (4) - Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Jordan Hicks, Devin Bush, Mohamoud Diabate, Tony Fields II
Outside Looking In - Charlie Thomas III, Caleb Johnson, Landon Honeycutt
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is destined to become more and more of a game-wrecker in Schwartz's defense after his superb season of 101 tackles and 20 of them for a loss. Jordan Hicks and Devin Bush are two other tackling machines that can also match the intensity of this defense with their instincts and ferocity. Mohamoud Diabate is already signed, so that leaves a spot up for earnings between the other four backers, with Tony Fields II being the only one with more than one year of experience and should be the likely winner of the bunch.
Cornerback (6) - Denzel Ward, Greg Newsome II, Martin Emerson Jr., Khalef Hailassie, Cameron Mitchell
Outside Looking In - Justin Hardee, Tony Brown, Myles Harden
Denzel Ward and Greg Newsome II make a solid cornerback tandem, with Martin Emerson Jr. stepping up as a solid nickelback for the Browns last season. Justin Hardee and Tony Brown are the two veterans fighting for that backup nickelback spot. With one Pro Bowl under his belt with the Jets in 2022, Justin Hardee is suddenly endangered of getting the boot. Tony Brown has been an unproven draft pick out of Alabama for the Ravens and is given another chance to prove himself to be a stable roster player.
Safety (4) - Grant Delpit, Juan Thornhill, Ronnie Hickman, Rodney McLeod Jr., Vincent Gray
Outside Looking In - D'Anthony Bell
Grant Delpit is a good safety and can be one of the best in the league when healthy. Juan Thornhill gets the job done with man-to-man coverage skills and decent tackling. Ronnie Hickman is another safety who can play the run well, showing that with limited playing time last year. Rodney McLeod Jr. is currently the only player on the Browns roster with a ring on his finger, a Super Bowl ring. He won one with the Eagles in 2017 over the Patriots and should be able to share what it means to keep winning and travel far in the playoffs for the rest of the DB group. Especially for Vincent Gray and D'Anthony Bell, who both went undrafted just like McLeod did in 2012 until when the Rams signed him and, from there, became one of the hardest hitters in the league for a long time.
Cleveland Browns Special Teams
Specialist (3) - Dustin Hopkins, Corey Bojorquez, Charley Hughlett
Outside Looking In - Cade York, Lucas Havrisik
Dustin Hopkins has been one of the most accurate kickers in the league for a long time. He continues to be that for the Cleveland Browns after a second consecutive season of hitting a field goal percentage of over ninety. On the other hand, Cade York has been a waste of a draft pick in 2022, with a field goal percentage of 75 during his rookie season. He is signed back as an emergency kicker, as Hopkins does have an injury history that includes a hamstring injury he caught while trying to chase down Texans running back Dameon Pierce on a kickoff in week 16 last season. Corey Bojorquez remains one of the most consistent punters in the league, averaging over 46 yards per punt for the past six seasons. Nyheim Hines should secure the returner spots, with James Proche being his opposite side for the kickoffs. Charley Hughlett is the lone veteran long snapper to be once again for the Browns for another season.
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