Cleveland Browns: 3 most improved positions in 2022

Cleveland Browns most improved position No. 1 – Quarterback

I get it, we don’t even know if the Cleveland Browns will have Deshaun Watson available at quarterback for the 2022 season, but I’m still counting it as the most improved position. I’m not here to bash Baker Mayfield, I’m grateful for what he did in Cleveland, but Watson is head and shoulders better than Mayfield will ever be.

In the most quarterback-friendly system in the league, with a top offensive line and running game, Mayfield managed to take this team to the playoffs and win one postseason game. That’s no small feat and as a Browns fan that clearly remembers the 1-31 stretch, but it’s still disappointing given the talent that this team has acquired.

Even in 2020 when the Browns had their best season since 1994, it just felt like this roster was one player away from being a Super Bowl contender. Any way you look, those days of winning without a quarterback are over. The Baltimore Ravens pulled it off once, but with all the rule changes favoring the offense, I don’t think a defense can ever single-handedly win a championship for a team again.

My speculation is six to eight games for Watson. From what I have read there is some lacking evidence, but I don’t see the NFL not giving out punishment. Roger Goodell has been mediocre at best in the discipline department, so Judge Sue Robinson will likely make a stand early that things are changing.

Even with half a season of Watson in 2022, this roster is dramatically improved at quarterback and gives the Browns a shot to beat anyone.