The Browns have high expectations for the current roster and regime, but are they good enough to be a legitimate contender? If you like the analysis here, consider signing up for our free newsletter to get can’t-miss NFL news and insights straight to your inbox every week.
- 2023 finish: 11-6 (second in AFC North); lost to HOU in WC Round
- Over/under: 8.5 wins
Notable additions
QB Jameis Winston, QB Tyler Huntley, RB D’Onta Foreman, RB Nyheim Hines, WR Jerry Jeudy, TE Giovanni Ricci, OT Hakeem Adeniji, OL Germain Ifedi, DT Quinton Jefferson, LB Jordan Hicks, LB Devin Bush, CB Tony Brown, CB Justin Hardee Sr., OC Ken Dorsey
Notable losses
QB Joe Flacco, QB PJ Walker, RB Kareem Hunt, WR Marquise Goodwin, TE Harrison Bryant, OT Geron Christian, C Nick Harris, DT Jordan Elliott, LB Anthony Walker Jr., LB Sione Takitaki, LB Jacob Phillips, LB Matthew Adams, LB Jordan Kunaszyk, CB Mike Ford Jr., S Duron Harmon, OC Alex Van Pelt
2024 draft class
DT Mike Hall Jr. (2.54), G Zak Zinter (3.85), WR Jamari Thrash (5.156), LB Nathaniel Watson (6.206), CB Myles Harden (7.227), DT Jowon Briggs (7.243)
Projected starters
QB: Deshaun Watson
RB: Nick Chubb
WR: Amari Cooper
WR: Jerry Jeudy
WR: Elijah Moore
TE: David Njoku
LT: Jedrick Wills Jr.
LG: Joel Bitonio
C: Ethan Pocic
RG: Wyatt Teller
RT: Jack Conklin
DE: Myles Garrett
DT: Dalvin Tomlinson
DT: Shelby Harris
DE: Za’Darius Smith
LB: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
LB: Jordan Hicks
CB: Denzel Ward
FS: Juan Thornhill
SS: Grant Delpit
SCB: Greg Newsome II
CB: Martin Emerson Jr.
2024 outlook
The strengths for Cleveland are very defined with an elite offensive line, feared defensive front, and stingy secondary. They have also worked to get more separators at wide receiver by adding Jerry Jeudy to the group and reportedly showing interest in Brandon Aiyuk, but it all comes down to quarterback play from a guy in Deshaun Watson that hasn’t performed at a high level since 2020. I assume Joe Flacco’s presence would have been deemed a distraction for Watson considering how the former Super Bowl MVP led the Browns last season, though it’s interesting that the Browns still invested in backups by bringing in Jameis Winston and Tyler Huntley.
At their best, Cleveland is able to play from ahead with Myles Garrett and the defense pinning their ears back trying to get to the quarterback, so a healthy Nick Chubb (knee) would go a long way towards establishing the identity and play style they want. Chubb isn’t one to bet against returning to form despite the seriousness of the injury, and if that’s the case, the focus needs to be playing through the trio of Chubb, David Njoku, and Amari Cooper.
Defensively, the NFL’s top-ranked unit in 2023 added standout linebacker Jordan Hicks next to Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, and there were no key losses to believe they will take a step back. On the backend, it doesn’t get much better than a cornerback trio of Denzel Ward, Martin Emerson Jr., and Greg Newsome II—and the interior of the defensive line should have more juice with second-round pick Mike Hall Jr. in a situational role on passing downs.
Position battle to watch: Defensive tackle
The Browns have no shortage of options inside with Dalvin Tomlinson, Shelby Harris, Quinton Jefferson, Maurice Hurst II, Siaki Ika, and Mike Hall Jr. all set to rotate—and I’ll be watching the development of Ika and Hall. It’s fair to wonder if Cleveland has hit enough in the draft since the Deshaun Watson trade, so those two emerging would help silence those doubts.
Breakout candidate: OT Dawand Jones
One draft pick that was a clear hit was Jones in the fourth round last year—but he’s in a strange spot with Jack Conklin (knee) deeming himself healthy last month and being listed as the starter. While we fully expect Conklin will indeed start at right tackle, Jones was too good as a rookie to keep on the bench for long, and Jedrick Wills Jr. could be on notice at left tackle as he enters the final year of his contract. One way or another, I’m expecting Jones to shine.
Circle on the calendar: Week 1 (v DAL) | Sunday, September 8 – 4:25 PM ET
This is circled because it’s Tom Brady’s broadcast debut on FOX as much as anything else, but the Browns being the featured team in interesting, too. If the seven-time Super Bowl champion is going to be harsh on bad quarterback play, you would think Deshaun Watson—considering the off-field reputation—would be an easy target for him to start off with. Also, the Cowboys are a great measuring stick for Cleveland, and Nick Chubb being available would be a remarkable story.
Bottom line
The Browns were boosted last year by a stout defense and have the pieces to be make a leap offensively, but the question is if they can beat top opponents in the AFC when it matters most. If Deshaun Watson doesn’t turn back the clock to play like he did in Houston, it’s entirely possible the franchise finds a way to move on in 2025.