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After the draft, where do the Cleveland Browns stand in the AFC North?

By Todd Matthews

CINCINNATI, OHIO - DECEMBER 29: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns runs with the ball during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO - DECEMBER 29: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns runs with the ball during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OHIO – DECEMBER 29: Joe Mixon #28 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs with the ball during the game against the Cleveland Browns at Paul Brown Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO – DECEMBER 29: Joe Mixon #28 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs with the ball during the game against the Cleveland Browns at Paul Brown Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Where do the Browns stand against the Bengals?

The Bengals figure to be rebuilding with first overall pick Joe Burrow and new faces on defense signed in free agency.

Cleveland’s offense can take advantage of the Bengals. Cincinnati allowed 420 points in 2019 but they boosted the secondary signing Mackensie Alexander, Trae Waynes, and Vonn Bell. Three serviceable players.

The Browns countered, signing Pro Bowl tight end Austin Hooper to pair with David Njoku prior to drafting Bryant. After adding Wills and Jack Conklin at the tackles, Cleveland now has the potential to open it up against the Bengals.

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While the Bengals added defensive help in the middle rounds, none of the picks figure to make an impact in 2020.

What’s concerning about the Browns is that this defense lost to Brandon Allen and Duck Hodges in 2019. If this defense continues to play down to young quarterbacks, Burrow can and will shred them.

To beat Cincinnati, the Browns have to get to Burrow early and make the rookie uncomfortable, forcing him to make rookie mistakes.

If there’s one weakness in Burrow, it’s the fact he had a rough outing for most of his collegiate career, having only broken out in 2019. Translating this fact to the NFL, it means Burrow could be at least a year away from being a viable starting quarterback.

However, the Bengals have a fantastic running back in Joe Mixon who can rip apart a weak run defense, especially if he gets to the next level.

If the Browns’ pass rush fails to get to Burrow, he has weapons in a returning A.J. Green, a serviceable former first-round pick in John Ross, and Tyler Boyd, who was a bright spot on the 2-14 Bengals.

While the Browns appear to be the stronger team on paper, by failing to pressure Burrow could result in a quarterback duel between him and Baker Mayfield, something the Browns and Bengals have done in the past with mixed results.

The Bengals may have finished at the bottom of the league in 2019 but it’s a mistake for the Browns to believe this team is a pushover. It will come down to whether the pass rush can take advantage of Burrow before he clicks with his receivers.

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