From now until the start of the NFL season, I will be releasing a weekly article called State Of The League. It will cover each of the 32 NFL teams, including their 2023 season, offseason acquisitions, and what to expect from them in 2024 (think best/worst-case scenarios). Enjoy! Up next is the Cleveland Browns
76 seasons in the NFL. Zero Super Bowls. Gone have been the days of making the playoffs consistently. Since 2000, the Cleveland Browns have made the postseason just three times. But, things are turning around. Sort of.
Under current head coach Kevin Stefanski, the Browns have made the postseason twice in four years despite not winning a division title in that span. This included an 11-5 record in 2020 that led to an appearance in the divisional round.
There’s no indication that Stefanski is on the hot seat. But, with a glaring question mark at the most important position in football, are the Cleveland Browns stuck in mediocrity forever? Or, will 2024 be the season Cleveland turns things around and make a deep run into the playoffs?
2023 Season
- Head coach: Kevin Stefanski
- Record: 11-6
- Offense: 23.3 PPG (10/32)
- Defense: 21.3 PPG (13/32)
- Leading passer: QB Joe Flacco (4-1 as starter, 60.3% completion percentage, 1,616 yards, 13 touchdowns, eight interceptions)
- Leading rusher: RB Jerome Ford (72 catches, 1,250 yards, five touchdowns)
- Leading receiver: WR Amari Cooper (81 catches, 882 yards, six touchdowns)
- Leading tackler: LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (101)
- Interceptions: CB Martin Emerson (4)
- Sacks: DE Myles Garrett (14)
Usually, injuries to your key players destroy a team. RB Nick Chubb played just one full game before going down with a serious knee injury in week two against the Pittsburgh Steelers. QB Deshaun Watson dealt with multiple injuries before missing the last eight games of the season with a shoulder injury. CB Denzel Ward and S Grant Delpit missed four games of their own.
Even with all the adversity, the Browns still made a statement. After two losing seasons, they started the 2023 season with a 7-3 record. Then, they won four of their last six games to finish 11-6 and the fifth seed in the AFC.
Signed to the practice squad in November, quarterback Joe Flacco was brought onto the active roster and made his first start in week 13. Though it ended in a 36-19 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, he still threw for 254 yards and two touchdowns. Not a bad opening act.
Then, he led the Browns to four straight wins under his leadership. Though he was turning the ball over at an alarming rate (at least one interception in every start), he threw for multiple touchdowns in each game.
It helps the defense held things down on their end. After all, they held opponents to a 29.1% conversion rate on third down and 40% on fourth down. Cleveland was also allowed the fewest yards per game to opponents in 2023.
The magical run to the postseason ended in the wild-card round, with the Houston Texans knocking them out with a 45-14 win.
Offseason Acquisitions And Departures
- Notable departures: QB Joe Flacco, DL Lonnie Phillips
- Notable acquisitions: WR Jerry Jeudy (trade), EDGE Za’Darius Smith (two years, $23.5 million), LB Jordan Hicks (two years, $8 million), QB Jameis Winston (two years, $8 million), RB Nyheim Hines, LB Devin Bush
- Notable re-signings: DL Shelby Harris, P Corey Bojorquez
Favorite Acquisition: WR Jerry Jeudy After a disappointing 2023 season that saw him record 54 catches for just 758 yards and two touchdowns, the wideout was traded to the Browns in the offseason for just a fifth and sixth-round pick. But, Cleveland hopes he can get back to his 2022 self (972 yards and six touchdowns). Jeudy provides QB Deshaun Watson with another weapon to throw to outside of Amari Cooper and David Njoku.
Draft
- R2, P32: DL Michael Hall Jr., Ohio State
- R3, P21: G Zac Zinter, Michigan
- R5, P21: WR Jamari Thrash, Louisville
- R6, P30: LB Nathaniel Watson, Mississippi State
- R7, P7: CB Myles Harden, South Dakota
- R7, P23: DT Jowon Briggs, Cincinnati
Favorite Pick: The players Cleveland drafted are going to be depth pieces to start their careers. However, Hall is an explosive defensive tackle who has a quick first step and is a great penetrator. He will push Shelby Harris for playing time and could be a week one starter if things go well. Despite just six sacks in the past two years, he has all the talent to get to the quarterback.
2024 Cleveland Browns Regular Season Schedule (O/U 8.5)
4️⃣s up @deshaunwatson | #DawgPound pic.twitter.com/DZdGD7yrDJ
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) June 25, 2024
- Week 1: vs. Cowboys
- Week 2: @ Jaguars
- Week 3: vs. Giants
- Week 4: @ Raiders
- Week 5: @ Commanders
- Week 6: @ Eagles
- Week 7: vs. Bengals
- Week 8: vs. Ravens
- Week 9: vs. Chargers
- Week 10: BYE WEEK
- Week 11: @ Saints
- Week 12: vs. Steelers (TNF)
- Week 13: @ Broncos (MNF)
- Week 14: @ Steelers
- Week 15: vs. Chiefs
- Week 16: @ Bengals (TNF)
- Week 17: vs. Dolphins (SNF)
- Week 18: @ Ravens
Favorite Game: Week 15 vs. Chiefs. By this time in the season, the Browns may either be in the playoff hunt or completely out of it. More importantly, it’s the quarterback matchup I am looking forward to. The last time Watson faced off against Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs pulled off a miraculous comeback in the playoffs to defeat the Texans (Watson’s old team). But, both quarterbacks are 1-1 against one another. This game will determine who will have the upper hand. Plus, Myles Garrett against whoever is playing left tackle for the Chiefs may be something to watch.
Thoughts On The Cleveland Browns
The Browns have the third-toughest schedule in 2024. But, they do have the talent to make it back to the postseason. 2024 will be Deshaun Watson’s third year in Cleveland. Can he stay healthy for an entire season for them? If so, this team will not finish in the cellar of the AFC North (which is saying a lot because of how competitive the division is).
Also, the health of Nick Chubb is a bit concerning. At the time of publishing, he has not been cleared to participate in any football activity. The depth behind him will be tested early, especially if Chubb is placed on the physically unable-to-perform list to start the year. Once Chubb does return, he will show why he is a top-five running back in the league.
Cleveland’s pass catchers are a solid unit. With Jeudy joining Amari Cooper and David Njoku, it creates a trio that will cause headaches for defenses. Watch out for Elijah Moore, who is currently the WR3 and showed potential in his first year with the Browns last year (59 catches for 640 yards).
The offensive line unit was ravaged by injury last year. But, all five guys are healthy for 2024, and are a top-five group according to Pro Football Focus.
Defensively, what’s not to like? Myles Garrett (14 sacks) will look to finish with a fifth-straight season of double-digit sacks, forming a solid pass-rush duo with Za’Darius Smith (5.5) on the opposite side.
Upgrades at linebacker with Devin Bush and Jordan Hicks make this defense even better. Those two along with Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah create a great tandem at that position.
In the secondary, Denzel Ward continues to lead as the CB1 while Martin Emerson Jr (63.2 PFF grade) looks to hold things down opposite of him. Safeties Grant Delpit (70.0) and Juan Thornhill (66.5) are good enough to not have safety be a concern. But, nickel Greg Newsome Jr is one to watch, as the cornerback had 14 pass deflections and two interceptions in 2023.
Overall, I predict that the Browns will finish 10-7 in 2024 and make it back into the postseason.
Make sure to visit Belly Up Sports every week for more NFL content and follow me on Twitter/X! Also, check out me and my co-host Brian Germinaro on the Third and Ten Podcast, available wherever you get your podcasts!
Featured Image: Nick Cammett/Getty Images
