Cleveland Browns ranked No. 31 in NFL Spin Zone power rankings

(Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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Cleveland Browns fans may be optimistic in 2017, but the team still has a long way to go before becoming contenders again.

The endless amount of storylines surrounding the Cleveland Browns are set to start up again now that August is almost here.

The quiet offseason is over, meaning the stress of the season is upon fans once again. But while the actual season has been a downer for most of the millennium, there is always optimism to be found among the ashes.

The Browns are entering a new season with the same front office and head coach from the season before, and the draft classes have actually brought in some talent, at least on paper.

But when it comes to what matters most, the Browns are still considered among the worst in the NFL.

NFL Spin Zone published its training camp edition of NFL power rankings, with the Browns coming in at No. 31 overall, just ahead of the New York Jets. Progress!

From the article:

"Believe it or not, there’s something different about the Cleveland Browns heading into the 2017 season since the team was considered one of the biggest winners of free agency and the NFL Draft. From landing one of the biggest free agents in Kevin Zeitler to a successful draft in which they landed three key picks in the first round, the Browns finally seem to be moving in the right direction after years of disappointing fans."

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One group of Browns fans, generally older in age, will argue that getting excited about the season is just false hope. But the other option is just being in a yearly state of misery, so why not get excited for a few months?

Fans don’t have Super Bowl expectations, so getting excited for a watchable regular season shouldn’t be seen as too crazy.

Starting at the bottom of national power rankings should be expected, as this team has done nothing to earn national respect.

However, the excitement had by many in Cleveland may translate into some unexpected success.

Next: Osweiler the insurance policy

Where do you think the Browns should be in preseason power rankings?