The year is 2023. The Browns went 11-6, had seven pro bowlers, their head coach Kevin Stefanski won coach of the year, and the team went second in the division for the first time since 2007. The future was looking bright. However, the Browns are a primary focus in the media for much controversy. On March 18th, 2022, the day the Browns sold their soul. The trade for Texans QB DeShaun Watson. $230M for five years and traded away first-round picks and more. Contracts and trades like this are for guys who will be the face of the franchise for the next half of a decade. You expect a Super Bowl or close every year. Last year was filled with injuries, but they had a good season. Now that the gang is back together in the 216 is a Lombardi in their future?
2024 Offseason:
After a brutal 45-14 elimination from the Texans in the wild-card game, the Browns started their year by cleaning their coach’s room. They fired their offensive coordinator after ranking 16th in total offense in ’23. They also fired the running backs coach after ranking 12th in total rushing. They also did not renew the contract for the tight ends coach. And finally, the defensive line coach went to Tennessee. In addition to free agency, names like QB Joe Flacco, RB Kareem Hunt, and TE Harrison Bryant departed. But picking up other key players like QBs Jameis Winston and Tyler Huntley and trading for WR Jerry Jeudy. Plus, the contracts of defensive linemen Shelby Harris, Za’Darius Smith, and LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah were extended. And even getting former Titans head coach Mike Vrabel as a player and personnel consultant. Overall, with the money they COULD use, it was a solid offseason. They are losing some key players but still retaining some credibility and adding little tweaks to improve their roster.
The Draft:
Following the trade for Watson, the Browns weren’t on the clock until round two. Their first selection would be Ohio State defensive tackle Michael Hall, Jr. In addition to Hall, the Browns selected five other players in the draft and signed ten undrafted free agents. Out of these 16 players, only two of them would play 200+ snaps. That would be their third-round pick, Zak Zinter, a guard out of Michigan, and the previously mentioned Michael Hall Jr.
2024 Rookie Stats-
Michael Hall Jr. – 232 snaps, 14 total tackles, 1 sack
Zak Zinter – 233 snaps, 3 sacks, 1 QB hit, 6 hurries, and 10 pressures allowed
Expectations:
Despite the injury bug striking them last season, the Browns still maintained talent. The biggest question is if DeShaun Watson could play up to his contract. It’s a long shot after being injured the previous year and having shoulder surgery. Nick Chubb also came off a season-ending knee injury last year. The biggest hope is that they can return to their previous form. Despite the injuries, the NFL world still sees Cleveland as a wild-card team. With the talented defense consisting of Denzel Ward and Myles Garrett, the offense will be the biggest question. Cleveland winning their first Super Bowl was in the middle of the pack odds, at 16th overall at +4000. Their over-under win total was tied for the sixth-highest in the league with 8.5. Their offseason total spending was sixth lowest in the league, with nearly $242.5M. The Browns were wise this offseason. They are not spending a bunch and are still retaining a good roster. Expectations were around the same as last year.
2024 Season:
Based on projected win totals, the Browns had the fourth-hardest schedule in the league. The Browns were hoping to build around DeShaun Watson’s contract and the talent they possess on defense. They had a weak draft but a smart offseason. Could this balance out to success? Let’s just say 2017 was easier to swallow. And this season’s record was the worst it’s been since, well, 2017. Let’s go over both sides of the ball!
Offense-
Regarding offense, the Browns would record 5114 total yards with a 300.8 average (28th overall). The Browns registered 3506 total passing yards through the air with an average of 206.2 (22nd overall). When running, the Browns acquired 1608 total rushing yards and a 94.6 average (29th overall). The Browns were DEAD last for putting up points, and it wasn’t close. The Browns scored 258 total points. For reference, the Giants were next up and got 273. It couldn’t have helped the Browns were also dead last in 3rd down percentages at 29.5%. And also 28th overall in red zone percentage with 48.6%.
Offensive leaders stats-
Jameis Winston – 181/296, 2121 passing yards, 13 passing TDs, 12 int
Jerome Ford – 104 carries, 565 rushing yards, 3 rushing TDs
Jerry Jeudy – 90 rec, 1229 receiving yards, 4 receiving TDs
In terms of quarterbacks and running backs, it’s a two-sided sword. DeShaun Watson suffered an Achilles tear in week seven against the Bengals. The same week this happened, Nick Chubb returned against the Bengals. No original starters from the beginning of the 2023 season were the stat leaders. The first game of the 2023 season was a matchup—against the Bengals. The Battle of Ohio is cursed. But Watson wasn’t even having a good season up to that point: a 5:3 touchdown-interception ratio, 164 average passing yards per game, and 33 sacks in 7 games. For reference, Jameis Winston played 12 and was sacked 24 times. And it’s not even like Watson wasn’t protected well; based on 20% of dropbacks, Watson had an average time to throw of 3.05, 5th best in the league. Winston was 2.68, 30th best. And it also doesn’t help that the Browns were tied for most giveaways with 34 (23 interceptions and 11 fumbles lost) and had the worst turnover differential with -22. To make matters worse, they had the most dropped passes with 48, and Jerry Jeudy was tied for the most dropped passes in the league with 12.
Defense-
Regarding defense, the Browns would allow 5816 total offensive yards with a 342.1 average (19th overall). Handling the pass, the Browns allowed 3611 total passing yards with a 212.4 average (12th overall). Taking down the run, the Browns allowed 2205 total rushing yards with a 129.7 average (21st overall). Holding down the points, the Browns D allowed 435 total points with a 25.6 average (28th overall).
Defensive leaders stats-
S Grant Delpit – 111 total tackles
DE Myles Garrett – 14 sacks
CB Denzel Ward – 2 int
Brown’s defense did well against the pass but struggled against the run. Off the edge of the defensive line, the run was defended better than on the line’s interior. Players like Dalvin Tomlinson, lining up on the middle of the defensive line, struggled with tackling. It is interesting to see the Browns be a top-twelve team against the pass, considering they’re last in the league with interceptions, with only four. But good years from both Denzel Ward, Ronnie Hickman Jr, and Jordan Hicks relating to pass coverage. The points allowed are a big blotch on the defense’s 2024 campaign. However, think about this: if the offense never had a turnover (interception, lost fumble, pick six, failed 4th down conversion) or the special teams never botched a field goal or punt, the points allowed would be down by 157! That would bring them down to 278, putting them #1 in the league in the least points allowed. The Browns D isn’t perfect, but they are NOT the problem.
Final Grade: F
Positives-
The Browns’ defense has the potential to be excellent, given that they have drafted many big names in defense since 2017, including Myles Garrett, Denzel Ward, Greg Newsome II, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, and Grant Delpit. And it always feels like they’re one good piece away from being a complete unit. For the second overall pick in the draft, they can go either QB and resolve the offensive situation with Cam Ward or Sheduer Sanders, go with a running back and revive the groundwork with Ashton Jeanty, maybe double down on a top defense and go with Mason Graham or Travis Hunter. However, the Browns hold a projected 12 draft picks. It’s a good opportunity to build up their roster. And with the first, a second, and two third-round picks, the Browns can add some depth. And wins this year over the Steelers and Ravens show that they remain tough against divisional opponents.
Negatives-
DeShaun Watson wasn’t a franchise quarterback before he broke his Achilles, and now he definitely won’t. Watson’s contract will end in 2027, but has his time as a starter ended? It’s questioned because of Jimmy Haslam’s stubbornness. He invested too much, too quickly. And look at other projects that resulted from Cleveland. Baker Mayfield led the Buccaneers to a NFC South title and is now one of the better QBs in the league. The Texans have a solid roster and won an AFC South title. This entire experiment has blown up in Cleveland’s face. And the worst part? Any way out of this will result in Cleveland looking like chumps. If the Browns decide to make Watson a backup, he’ll be the wealthiest QB2 ever. If the Browns decide to keep starting him, they will never achieve their full potential. The Browns must swallow their pride, admit it was a bad idea, and release Watson. You’ll lose money, but the success you could achieve with a good quarterback could make everyone forget. Regarding the generational talent they’re wasting if they don’t admit they’re wrong, Myles Garrett might as well be called the new Joe Thomas.
