Cleveland Browns: Predicting the starting offense in 2017
By Shane Carter
The Browns improved dramatically on the offensive line this offseason through free agency and the draft. They also have solid depth behind the starters. Clearly the only spot open for competition is the right tackle but the rest is secure.
Tight end also got noticeably better. I made the argument on a few occasions that the Browns should stay put at No. 12 overall and select O.J. Howard to improve the position, realizing Gary Barnidge was getting older. Somehow, they still managed to still get arguably the second-best player at the position who looks like the team’s new Jordan Reed. You’ll notice as the season goes along just how good these units are.
The biggest concern would have to quarterback.
Don’t get me wrong, I have faith in Cody Kessler as a competent starter, but the depth behind him is less than ideal and their second-round draft pick, DeShone Kizer, doesn’t appear to be ready. He’ll need time to develop, so don’t get too excited just yet.
I thought that after they avoided a quarterback in the first round that they would go and see what they have in Kessler in 2017 and focus on the 2018 draft for a quarterback, which looks like a better draft for the position, if Kessler didn’t show improvement.
This just leaves Kevin Hogan and Brock Osweiler as the only other QB options on the roster, and anyone who saw Osweiler play in Houston doesn’t want anything to do with that.
Next: Browns rookies feeling uniform number pressure?
Hopefully the new and improved O-line can keep the quarterback upright, and possibly allow one player to start all 16 games in 2017.