Last Year:

Record: 3-13

Offense: 331.9 YPG (25th), 17.4 PPG (30th)

Defense: 379.2 yards allowed (27th), 27.0 points allowed (29th)

I won’t sugar coat this: The Browns stunk last year. They shuffled through a trio of mediocre to bad QBs over the course of 16 games where the decent play of Josh McCown was the highlight of the Browns season at that position. Johnny Manziel was a disaster off the field and not much better on it, and Austin Davis simply has no business behind center outside of preseason. The run game never really got going, and the only real bright spot on offense for the Browns last season was the breakout year tight end Gary Barnidge had. Defensively things were just as bad as they were 1 of the worst teams in the NFL at getting after the QB. Former 7th round pick Armonty Bryant was the only player on the Browns to even remotely appear to apply pressure with a team leading 5.5 sacks.

Offseason: 

Key Acquisitions: QB. Robert Griffin III, LB. Demario Davis, S. Rahim Moore

Key Loses: LB. Karlos Dansby, WR. Travis Benjamin, WR. Brian Hartline, S. Donte Whitner, S. Tashaun Gibson

 Breakdown

Offense:

Optimism is the key word Browns fans should cling to when trying to assess what the team’s offense might look like in 2016. With so many unknowns at the Quarterback position (RG3),  WR positions (a ton of rookie receivers),  and a 2nd year RB who may get more touches, there is simply a lot of uncertainty when trying to predict how their offense might fare this season. The smart bet would be to simply settle on the Browns being one of the worst offensive teams in the NFL yet again. Unless a miracle happens and RG3 finds the level he reached as the former rookie of the year, he’s probably going to struggle this season, and that’s IF he actually beats out Josh McCown who is currently number 1 on the depth chart. I really like Corey Coleman and Rishard Higgins but they’re rookies so you really don’t know if they can produce consistently. Even Barnidge might not be as good next season; before 2015 he was essentially a career backup with minimal production. The offensive line from the center position going right is highly questionable, especially the center and right tackle positions.

Defense:

The Browns actually appear worse defensively than they do offensively. Up front their two ends Hughes and Bryant are more or less average and 2nd year nose tackle Danny Shelton needs to improve. At the linebacker position, their best middle backer is what’s left of Demario Davis, a player on the decline. The list of pass rushers the Browns have is very unimpressive, the best of which is Paul Kruger, who wasn’t healthy last season. But even at his healthiest during the years he’s played in Cleveland, he hasn’t lived up to the contract he signed since leaving the Ravens. The best thing the Browns could have going for them on defense is their secondary, but a lot of that is going to depend on the play of 3 guys. Number 1, Joe Haden has to return to elite form he had a few years ago when he was considered in the discussion of top 5 corners. Number 2, it’s time for Justin Gilbert to live up to being a top 10 selection in his 3rd season. And number 3, they desperately need for Rahim Moore to play like he did a few years ago in Denver and not like he did last year in Houston where he was faced with injuries and inconsistent play. Of their 3 position groups on defense, I believe the secondary has the most potential to have success but I still don’t expect much from that group either. Good luck Browns fans, you’re going to need it.