Offseason Outlook 2015: Cleveland Browns

Offense

Just because it's the Cleveland Browns, let me start off this article by saying an outlandish statement. I believe in Johnny Manziel. I think that he can be a solid quarterback in the NFL, and I believe that he will start putting it all together next year. There's no evidence I have to support it, but I think that his college tape actually showed a talented player, and from what I hear he is finally putting in the work. I definitely think that he is a better option at QB than Josh McCown, and even if he turns out to be a bust then the Browns can move on from him next year without any backlash. Apart from the messy quarterback situation, the Browns have an incredible offensive line, and not a lot of talent at the skill positions. Let's start with the good though. The Browns have patched together arguably the best offensive line in all of football. Joe Thomas is a rock at left tackle. He is the standard for all other LT's entering the league, and he is most likely a future hall-of-famer that still plays at an elite level today. They also have arguably the best center in the NFL too. Alex Mack was injured for most of last year, but when healthy there is nobody better. In between Mack and Thomas, the Browns have the sophomore Joel Bitonio. He had a terrific rookie season, and was one of the better guards in the league. On the right side the Browns aren't as strong, but they still have quality starters. Both John Greco (RG) and Mitchell Schwartz (RT) are good players in their own right, and should be solid this coming year too. On top of the starters, the Browns actually drafted another first round offensive lineman in Cameron Erving. He is most likely a replacement for Alex Mack in case he chooses to opt out of his contract after this season, but at worst it adds a lot of depth to an already stacked line. At the skill positions, as I mentioned before, the Browns aren't in the best scenario. At receiver, they signed Dwayne Bowe to a 2 year/$13 million deal. He will slot in as one of their outside receivers. Andrew Hawkins was their best receiver last season, and he is a threat in the slot. The Browns also signed Brian Hartline too, and he adds some depth but shouldn't be relied on to have a big season. Add to those three Taylor Gabriel and Travis Benjamin, and they are better off then last season. Even with the added depth, this is overall a weak group of receivers. There isn't a go to guy for the QB to lean on, and the free agent signings are both most likely on the downswing of their respective careers. At tight end, it doesn't look much better for the Browns. They lost Jordan Cameron in free agency to the Dolphins, and even though he was injured last season, he is still a very talented player and a big loss. As of now, their TE depth is Rob Housler, Jim Dray, and Gary Barnidge. So not great. At running back, the Browns have a bit of a logjam, but there is at least some talent there. Terrence West and Isaiah Crowell were okay last year, and they did show some flashes of brilliance at least. The Browns also drafted Duke Johnson who could end up playing a big role for them. This is looking more and more like it is going to be a ground and pound team, so if the Browns can strike lightning in a bottle with their three backs then they won't be in horrible shape. The biggest loss for the Browns might end up being Kyle Shanahan as the offensive coordinator. He adapted an offense to Brian Hoyer and made it work enough that they were actually winning games. Their new offensive coordinator has a good reputation in this league, and may wind up being even better than Shanahan, but as of now it does feel like a big loss. The Browns offense as a whole has a good core to build around with their O-line. Me (foolishly?) believing in Johnny Football doesn't change the fact that this team will be carried by their defense. The biggest thing this offense needs to accomplish is to be able to control the clock, and that can be done with this roster. Having Johnny at quarterback does open up the running game more because of his mobility. They should run a conservative rushing offense, and since their O-line is so dominant, they could be better then people think. I'm still expecting a bottom ten finish with this offense, but that shouldn't worry any fans because that could easily be enough to win games with their defense.

Defense

This is how the Browns win games. On paper, this defense isn't as flashy as the Seahawks, Broncos, Chiefs, or even Ravens. With this current team it won't matter. It starts at the defensive line. They drafted the monstrous Danny Shelton, and that will help their biggest weakness on defense immediately. The Browns actually gave up the most rushing yards per game, so Danny Shelton's presence can really help prevent that from happening again. Beside Shelton, the Browns signed Randy Starks to try and shore up that problem too. Opposite Starks will most likely be Desmond Bryant who is looking to have a bounce back season after one in which he was only okay. There is some depth behind the starters too, as Phil Taylor, Armonty Bryant, John Hughes, and Ishmaa'ily Kitchen all should contribute in some fashion. At linebacker, Karlos Dansby leads what figures to be a solid group. Dansby apparently is like whiskey in a barrel in that he just gets better with age because last season was impressive. Christian Kirksey or Craig Robertson will most likely be the ILB playing beside him, and both players are solid yet unspectacular options. On the edge, this team has Paul Kruger leading a young group of rushers. Barkevious Mingo will most likely start opposite Kruger, and after a down year he is looking to improve on his consistency and hopefully start producing more. The Browns also drafted Nate Orchard who will play a key role very early on. Orchard was a dominant pass rusher in college, and he should show that same burst and quickness in the NFL. The key for this defense to be successful is their secondary. They were very good last year, but they could be even better this year. Joe Haden is an elite cornerback. He had somewhat of a down year last year (still very good, just down for him), so if he bounces back to his elite status then that will bring up the rest of the defense too. Opposite him Tramon Williams figures to be the guy. I would say Justin Gilbert, but they gave Williams a 3 year/ $21 million deal and that is starter money. Also Gilbert will get starters snaps too, as he will most likely be playing slot cornerback for them. He had a rough rookie season, but it wasn't as bad as people assume, and he still has a very high ceiling as a cornerback. They also have K'Waun Williams as a fourth cornerback and he quietly was good for them last season. At safety, the Browns will pair the veteran Donte Whitner, with Tashaun Gipson. Whitner had a stellar year for the Browns last season, so hopefully he can keep up his level of play. Gipson was on pace to lead the league in interceptions but he got hurt near the end of the season. He still was great in coverage when healthy, and he's young enough to keep developing as a player. This defense does look very threatening, and I have a feeling it will be even better than it looks on paper. Haden is the key, his downside is that he can get burned quite a bit for an elite cornerback, but when he is on his game, that's a good indication the rest of the defense will be too. I'm expecting another top 10 finish for this Browns D, and they even have a shot at a top 5 finish if they stay fairly healthy.

Cleveland is a tough team to predict. The most important position on every team is quarterback, and the Browns are a complete question mark there. Their offense is also ridiculously strong in certain places, and very weak in others. On top of that, they play in maybe the most competitive division in football. My prediction for the Browns, and this may frustrate some, is that they won't finish last in their division. I think they will be fighting for a playoff spot late in the season, and they have shot at one if their QB play is at least okay. The biggest thing the Browns need to have this season is that Dog Pound mentality. They are going to win their games in the trenches, both on offense and defense, so they need that tough, beat up the other team mindset. I actually am a fan of Mike Pettine, and I think he has done a good job of coaching up a young Browns team. Even looking past this year, the Browns have a talented roster and once they get help at the skill positions on offense, look out AFC North.