Cleveland Browns: What Can Make the 2018 Season Successful

The Cleveland Browns likely won’t be in the playoffs this year, but several scenarios could prove the Browns had a successful season in 2018.

After a busy offseason, it seems like the Cleveland Browns are finally headed in the right direction. While making the playoffs seems unlikely, there are several scenarios that would indicate the Browns had a successful 2018 season.

Yet again, the offseason has seen the Browns make changes throughout the organization. In the front office, John Dorsey is now the general manager after Sashi Brown was relieved of his duties as executive vice president of football operations.

Former Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley now holds the same position in Cleveland, taking some responsibility from Hue Jackson. Cleveland also revamped its roster through both trades and free agent signings. Quarterback Tyrod Taylor was acquired in a trade with the Buffalo Bills, and will be starting in 2018. Star receiver Jarvis Landry is now a member of the team, following a trade with the Miami Dolphins. In free agency, running back Carlos Hyde signed a three-year deal to join the Browns.

The Browns were also active in adding talent on the defensive side of the ball. Damarious Randall was acquired in a trade with the Green Bay Packers, and will play safety in Cleveland. The secondary was also bolstered through free agency, signing cornerbacks T.J. Carrie, Terrance Mitchell, and E.J. Gaines.

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Furthermore, several new defensive linemen were added to the roster. Cleveland also holds the first and fourth overall picks in this month’s draft, with three more picks in round two. With these moves, the Browns will improve this season. While the Browns are still unlikely to contend for the playoffs, the following results will prove that 2018 is a success.

Winning 6 Games

The Browns are coming off of a season in which they became the second team ever to go 0-16. Over the past two seasons, Cleveland holds a record of 1-31, which is historically awful. By winning games, the Browns can prove to the world that things are trending in the right direction. While a season with single-digit losses would rejuvenate the franchise and the fan base, finishing with a 6-10 record is an exponential improvement over the last few years.

The Number 1 Pick Doesn’t Play

The Browns are going to draft a quarterback with the first pick in the draft. Although, it is unsure which quarterback Cleveland will take. In his latest mock draft, Bucky Brooks of nfl.com has the Browns taking former Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen first overall.

Browns senior media broadcaster Nathan Zegura is projecting that former USC quarterback Sam Darnold will be taken number one by Cleveland. Whoever Dorsey selects, the plan is to develop that quarterback under Taylor and backup Drew Stanton. As the Browns know, thrusting a young quarterback into playing before they are ready can be detrimental. If the first overall pick plays in 2018, something has gone wrong.

Jarvis Landry Produces

After being acquired in a trade with the Miami Dolphins, Landry has agreed to an extension to stay with the Browns. As reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Landry will receive $75.5 million over a five-year deal. Of that, $47 million are guaranteed.

Related Story: Was the Landry extension a good move?

Landry is one of the three players with at least 400 receptions and 4,000 receiving yards since 2014 according to Pro Football Reference via a Bleacher Report Piece formulaic Nathan. The other two players on that list are Antonio Brown of the Steelers and Atlanta’s Julio Jones. While these stats indicate that Landry is worth the money, Cleveland cannot afford to miss on a contract that big.

Improvement from 2017 Draft Picks

In their second year in the NFL, 2017 first round picks Myles Garrett, David Njoku, and Jabrill Peppers need to take the “next step”. Garrett is coming off a season in which he was named to the NFL All-Rookie team, despite battling injuries. In 2017, Njoku set a Browns franchise record for touchdown receptions by a rookie tight end with four.

Peppers gained valuable experience in 2017, but seemed to be playing out of position. With five picks still to come in the first two rounds of the draft, the Browns have an opportunity to build a talented young core for the future. Continued improvement from Garrett, Njoku, and Peppers would be a great sign for the franchise.

Josh Gordon Stays on the Field

After finally returning to the field last season, it was easy to see that Josh Gordon can still be a force in the league. Obviously, Gordon has to continue to do the right things off the field to make that happen. If he can, Cleveland’s offense will feature Gordon, Landry, Njoku, Duke Johnson, Carlos Hyde, and Tyrod Taylor, making for a vastly improved unit.

Next: Cleveland Browns: 2018 7-Round Mock

While Browns fans have not had many reasons to be excited over the last few years, it seems that better days are ahead. Although playoff contention is unlikely in 2018, expect to see a significantly improved Browns team on the field this season.