Cleveland Browns: AFC North- The AFC North is usually a tale of two teams; Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens. This year I think we all may see something different.
The draft of 2018 is when all the media hype around the Browns started. Cleveland fans remember it well, “With the first pick of the 2018 draft Cleveland Browns select, Baker Mayfield”. Under the new quarterback the Browns went 7-8-1, truly this was quite an impressive record coming off a winless 2017. Cleveland had a new fire, but there were still some missing pieces to the puzzle.
Fast forward to March of 2019 and a shocking trade, Odell Beckham Jr has been traded to the Browns…Wait… What? Now we have Mayfield a fiery young quarterback determined to show he’s the guy that can bring the Browns back to life and Beckham Jr. a top 10 wide receiver, this could be something.
Mayfield now has multiple passing options in Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry. I think it’s worth noting these wide receivers are former teammates from LSU and are excited to work together again. Mayfield also has Nick Chubb at running back and eventually will have Kareem Hunt.
Defensively Cleveland now has Olivier Vernon, he along with Myles Garrett will have an impact on opposing offenses. Also newly acquired Devaroe Lawrence will shake things up for quarterbacks and force mistakes, keeping Cleveland’s offense in games.
Before we jump on this Cleveland train, we also need to look at what’s going on with other AFC North teams.
Pittsburgh– This will be their first full year without Antonio Brown at receiver and Le’Veon Bell at running back. Big Ben has other options and he is good under pressure. Running game is pretty solid with James Conner.
Baltimore– They’re still coming together on both sides of the ball. They just brought in Earl Thomas on the defense, but they’re under a young quarterback themselves.
Cincinnati– If Cincinnati didn’t have bad luck than they’d have no luck it seems. Currently they’re dealing with some injuries. I believe these injuries could linger into the season and delay them being a contender.
Tom Brady did ask Baker Mayfield to hold his rings, but am I saying bet the house on Cleveland… no! What I am saying is Cleveland has a solid team wanting to prove they’re for real and Cleveland won’t be the joke of the North anymore.
I am predicting a 10-6 season and the Browns shockingly stealing the North from Pittsburgh.
