3 expectations for the Cleveland Browns heading into Week 1
By Greg Newland
No. 2 – Complete change on the defense
One of the biggest changes you will see this year is the increased aggressiveness of the Cleveland Browns defense. Number one, Joe Woods is on a bit of the hot seat. He really put together a solid defense to end the season in 2021, but before that, there have been a lot of question marks. He has been passive in the past, but I expect him to turn up the heat a bit this season.
On top of that, this team finally has some huge playmakers on each level. Grant Delpit and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah have been extremely successful blitzing at the end of last year, and I think you will see a whole lot more of that.
With tight coverage from Denzel Ward, Greg Newsome, and even Greedy Williams, Woods will be able to take a few extra shots knowing those guys won’t get burnt. It’s also safe to say, no one knows Baker Mayfield better than this Browns defense. Woods will know what he struggles with most, which is typically pressure, and try his best to exploit this.
There will be a lot of pressure on this defense, especially early in the season as the offense gets its footing. But if they can get anywhere close to where they were at the end of last season, they have a shot at being a top-five unit in the league.