by - Cleveland Browns
Predicted record: 11-5
The real America’s Team? Possibly so. The Browns fan base is ecstatic with what this team did at the end of last season and with how they look on paper.
Honestly everyone should tip their hats to John Dorsey for the incredible work he has done in the front office in order to turn this franchise around. There will always be haters of this team out there but there is just as much support for this team around the country.
Let’s actually mention the defense first because they somehow get overlooked with this team. It’s crazy to think an offense can have so many big names that they overshadow a defense like this one.
The strength of the defense starts up front and it is a championship caliber defensive line. Myles Garrett, Olivier Vernon and Sheldon Richardson are all Pro Bowlers and Larry Ogunjobi is a young star.
This group can stop the run but the pass rushing ability is next level. These four will probably put up over 30 sacks combined.
The linebacking corps has dramatically improved with the return of Christian Kirksey after struggling with injuries last season. Kirksey compliments Schobert’s game and relieves some pressure as well.
A lot of times Kirksey and Schobert will be the only two linebackers on the field since defensive coordinator Steve Wilks will be playing an extra safety to match up against speed. Genard Avery will often times come in as a pass rusher but could also be used to deal with another tight end or second running back.
Watch out for rookie Mack Wilson out of Alabama. He has received high praise from many players at training camp and looks to be a star in the making. Finally we look at the secondary, Denzel Ward headlines that group after making the Pro Bowl in just his rookie season.
Ward gets to line up against OBJ every day and practicing against one of the best will lead to him only getting better. Ward is not afraid to get physical and will be a lockdown corner this season.
The depth in the secondary is so crucial as well based on the fact that five DB’s will be on the field a majority of the time. Greedy Williams, Damarious Randall, Morgan Burnett, Terrance Mitchell, TJ Carrie, Jermaine Whitehead, Sheldrick Redwine and Eric Murray is no secondary to scoff at… So in other words good luck opposing QB’s.
Now we get to that offense and the names jump out at you. Baker Mayfield is going into his second year and looks to better his numbers from last year despite breaking Peyton Manning’s rookie passing touchdown record in only 13.5 games.
It seems like a lot of second year quarterbacks face what is called the sophomore slump. It will be hard to have a sophomore slump though with a plethora of explosive weapons.
The wide receivers are dominant and will be nearly impossible to stop. Odell Beckham Jr, Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins and Antonio Callaway will grab many touchdowns and haul in lots more catches. Callaway is facing a suspension though and won’t be a factor in the first four games.
The tight ends will also be a factor in the receiving game though as David Njoku and Demetrius Harris add some valued size. Nick Chubb will lead the running backs this season and carry the majority of the load until Kareem Hunt returns from his eight game suspension.
Chubb and Hunt might be the best one-two-punch in the NFL. The offensive line is set in four spots. Greg Robinson at left tackle, Joel Bitonio at left guard, JC Tretter at center and Chris Hubbard at right tackle.
The only spot up in the air is still right guard. Austin Corbett, Eric Kush and Kyle Kalis have been in a battle for months now. Corbett has had a lot of snaps with the first team but then he also looks to be the backup center.
Kalis seems to have fallen off the pace so it is likely down to Kush and Corbett. Kush has been stringing together first team reps as of late.
Kush might have the edge but Freddie Kitchens is still waiting for someone to step up and be consistent. Despite the position battle, the line looks good and ready to go to work.
So much seems positive with this team so how are they not higher in the power rankings? The answer is that they are young and still learning to build chemistry together.
It looks like it is developing really fast but we haven’t seen this full group in regular season games together yet. That will be a determining factor.
The other thing is special teams. There are position battles at every single spot in the special teams unit this year. Football isn’t a game just about offense and defense, special teams can make or break your season… just ask the Bears.
This is a championship team on paper but they probably aren’t going to win it all this year. Not yet. I am fairly confident that Cleveland will make the playoffs and win the division. A playoff run could also be in store.
