The season is approaching. The DNA of Sports editorial team offers you an update on the strengths and weaknesses of the 32 franchises. Today, Cleveland Browns 2024. You can find all the presentations by clicking on this link.
Having been soundly defeated in the first round of the playoffs by the surprising Texans, the Browns can put the 2023 season in the successful category. This was only their second appearance in 22 years, the second after the 2020 season.
Yet led by 4 different quarterbacks during the season, due to an early injury to Deshaun Watson, the team (and the staff) have shown unsuspected resources. Built around its lines, with a big defense and a dominant running game, the franchise only seems to be missing an elite quarterback to aim big. And yet Deshaun Watson is paid 50 million per year.
Last season: 11 wins – 6 losses, 2nd in AFC North
Off-season movements
Notable Arrivals: Jerry Jeudy (WR), Jameis Winston (QB), Devin Bush (LB), Jordan Hicks (LB), Nyheim Hines (RB), D'onta Foreman (RB)
Re-signings: Jeremiah Owosu-Karamoah (LB), Za'Darius Smith (DE), Shelby Harris (DL)
Draft: Michael Hall Jr, Zak Zinter, Jamari Trash, Nathaniel Watson, Myles Harden, Jowon Briggs
Notable losses: Jordan Elliott (DL), Harrison Bryant (TE), Joe Flacco (QB), Anthony Walker (LB), Sione Takitaki (LB), Kareem Hunt (RB)
With a moderate financial margin and limited draft picks, the Browns have not made any changes to their roster. Stability seems to have been the watchword for general manager Andrew Berry.
The only significant arrival, Jerry Jeudy, comes to support Amari Cooper and strengthen the group of targets for Watson.
Despite a very good end to the season, Joe Flacco was not retained and it is now Jameis Winston who will be the understudy at pitcher.
Browns 2024 All-Star Team
Quarterback: DeShaun Watson – Running Back: Nick Chubb – Receivers: Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy, Elijah Moore – Tight end: David Njoku – Offensive line: Jedrick Wills, Joel Bitonio, Ethan Pocic, Wyatt Teller, Jack Conklin
Defensive Line: Myles Garrett, Dalvin Tomlinson, Shelby Harris, Za'Darius Smith – Linebackers: Jeremiah Owosu-Karamoah, Jordan Hicks, Devin Bush – Cornerbacks: Denzel Ward, Greg Newsome II – Safety: Grant Delpit, Juan Thornhill
The strong point(s)
Best defense in terms of yards conceded in 2023, Cleveland has a deterrent squad on the 3 curtains. First, the defensive line, led by Myles Garrett, the face of the franchise, is capable of causing problems for any quarterback. 6th in terms of sacks last season, they are also reliable against the run. The work of this line greatly facilitates that of the aerial defense. Leader in yards conceded with only less than 165 units conceded on average, they also know how to steal balls.
Even without Nick Chubb for most of the 2023 campaign, the Browns continued to demonstrate great efficiency on the ground. The emergence of young Jerome Ford and the return of the former Georgia player could do a lot of damage to opposing lines. It must be said that the race is made easier by the always good work of the offensive line. With Bitonio and Teller, the team has one of the best duos of guards, capable of opening gaps everywhere for their running back.
The weak point(s)
Watson, Chubb, Conklin, Wills, so many essential starters who found themselves on the sidelines last season. A fragility of key men that is becoming a recurring problem in Cleveland. Chubb will return this year for the second time from a major knee injury after the one he contracted in his 2nd year at Georgia. At 28, this will not necessarily be an easy task. Conklin, for his part, has not played a full season since 2019 and has only played 22 games in 3 years. Already completely lacking rhythm for his off-field stories, Watson returned to the infirmary in 2023. Three seasons more than part-time, an eternity for a quarterback.
You have to go back to 2018 to find the Browns passing game in the top half of the league table. Like the chicken and the egg, one could wonder if the problem lies more with the pitcher than the receiving corps. With the exception of Amari Cooper, the rest of the targets remained fairly limited. Jeudy's arrival is supposed to strengthen the sector. Provided that the problem does not simply come from the pitcher.
If we wanted to quibble about the Browns' defense, we could point to the linebacker position. With the exception of Owosu Koramoah, the second curtain remains a big notch below the other lines. It's not for nothing that the team renewed its starters in 2024 with the arrivals of Hicks and Bush.
Player to watch: Jerry Jeudy (receiver)
The days when Jerry Jeudy was the darling of the draft are long gone. A star receiver at Alabama with a huge future ahead of him. In his defense, he certainly didn't end up in the perfect place to express his full potential. Jeudy is still looking for a benchmark season and the symbolic 1,000-yard mark to surpass.
Yet after attracting him to Cleveland for a low compensation, the franchise quickly extended him for a nice check of nearly 20 million per season. A new start for the 25-year-old player. The opportunity to shine in a more competitive and more complete team. His arrival must also serve to better surround Deshaun Watson who has been as average since his arrival in Ohio.
X-Factor: Deshaun Watson (QB)
Because that is where the Browns' biggest uncertainty lies. What do they really have with their quarterback? Attracted in 2022 with millions and a first-round draft pick, the franchise still doesn't really know what to expect. Suspended 11 games during his first season, injured for a large part of the season last year, he only played 12 games with the Dawgs. And so 12 games in 3 years. A cruel lack of rhythm and automatism that questions his ability to one day find the level that was his in Houston.
With Watson from the Texans era, the Browns take on a whole new dimension. With one of the best defenses in the league and a big running game, the quarterback's old skills rediscovered would de facto place them among serious contenders.
Browns 2024 Schedule
Cowboys, @Jaguars, Giants, @Raiders, @Commanders, @Eagles, Bengals, Ravens, Chargers, Bye, @Saints, Steelers, @Broncos, @Steelers, Chiefs, @Bengals, Dolphins, @Ravens
The audio preview of the podcast
In summary
Cleveland doesn't need much to assert itself as one of the sure values of its conference. But this little something makes all the difference. This is the most important position. Watson has absolutely everything to prove. His level of play, his physical condition, his state of mind: everything needs to be rebuilt. 2024 will be a revealing season for the former Clemson star. If his contract is a burden, the Russell Wilson case law has shown that despite prohibitive emoluments, if a franchise is determined to turn the page, it will give itself the means to do so.
In the still-tough AFC Conference and the NFL's toughest division, the schedule is never easy. But 2024 is even tougher. It will take a rediscovered Watson to land a playoff seat or new magic tricks from Kevin Stefanski to take his team to the January games.
