The Cleveland Browns will face a loaded AFC in 2022, but they have made drastic improvements this offseason at these 3 positions.
With the Cleveland Browns starting camp, fans are starting to feel excited. With everyone tired of the baseball season, most are ready for even preseason football at this point.
The NFL still hasn’t handed down its punishment to star quarterback, Deshaun Watson, but this team has to start preparing for a season no matter how that situation turns out. Many believe there’s a lack of evidence against Watson for a severe suspension, but I’ll leave that to the experts.
There’s no denying that 2021 was a major disappointment. Cleveland had a banged-up offensive line and quarterback for most of the season, and even though the defense played extremely well towards the end of the season they just couldn’t tally up the W’s when they needed them.
The roster still has some questions but is arguably better than 2021. Here are the three most improved positions on the roster.
Cleveland Browns most improved positions
Cleveland Browns most improved position No. 3 – Wide Receiver
Let me start by saying, I still think the Cleveland Browns still need to bring in a veteran wide receiver to solidify this group. But the receivers were so poor last year that just trading for Amari Cooper makes them drastically better.
Odell Beckham and Jarvis Landry were supposed to be the saviors of this offense. But with Landry starting to age and lose athleticism, and OBJ not fitting the offensive scheme in the least way made the situation bad from the beginning in 2021.
Some wanted to argue that the Browns had two of the top receivers in the league to begin the year, and they ended up closing the season without a true No. 1 option.
Cooper brings everything you need for a No. 1 receiver and he fits the scheme perfectly. His precise route running, and discipline will help whoever the quarterback is tremendous. If Donovan Peoples-Jones can consistently catch four to six balls a game, this offense could be elite, and the wide receivers will be fine.
Even though the group is drastically better, I still worry about the receivers in 2022.
Cleveland Browns most improved position No. 2 – Defensive Line
The defensive line is another interesting group for the Cleveland Browns. They have about nine guys who could arguably see some playing time in 2022, but they also don’t have a ton of starting experience, especially in the interior of the line.
The two guys that I think could have breakout years are Chase Winovich and Taven Bryan. Both guys were being played out of position with their previous teams, and a change of scenery could be all that they need.
Bryan will likely be a starting defensive tackle. He’s an elite pass rusher on the interior but must get better at clogging up holes in running situations. In the past, he has taken himself out of plays by getting upfield, but with a little discipline and coaching, he could end up showing off why he was drafted in the first round.
Winovich is one of those guys who could make or break the entire season. He will likely only play 15 to 20 snaps a game with Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney ahead of him at defensive end, but I look for him to have a monster season as the third edge rusher.
Remember, Clowney has struggled with injuries and Garrett often looked like he was running on empty from a lack of depth in the past. Look for Joe Woods to have a solid rotation across the entire defensive line this year, utilizing the depth.
Another guy I can’t forget to mention is the rookie, Perrion Winfrey. I’m not saying he will be a day one starter at defensive tackle, but this guy has a motor and infectious energy that could get him on the field sooner than later.
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.