Cleveland Browns 2023 Preview: Can They Meet Their Lofty Expectations?

After trading away three firsts for Deshaun Watson, massive expectations arose for the 2023 season. Last year, the Browns were obviously without Watson for 11 games and weren’t expected to make the playoffs. 2023 could be Cleveland’s year, as the roster is even better. However, Watson has a lot to prove this year, and this conference is ridiculously challenging. I’d still be surprised not to see them make the playoffs, but getting to the Super Bowl will be a battle. Watson played mostly poorly in his six starts last year, but I still expect top-eight QB play out of him. The surrounding core is everything, and Watson will have one of the best in the league.

Heading into the off-season, Cleveland had one of the worst D-Lines in the NFL. However, they made numerous impactful signings to help bolster that group, which is excellent to see. Dalvin Tomlinson was worth the price tag and strengthened the D-line greatly. There was little draft capital, but they still walked away with some potential starters. Dawand Jones was a total steal of a pick and could be a high-end starter sooner than later. Additionally, Cameron Mitchell was an underrated prospect who’ll be a solid Dime Corner. Elijah Moore was also acquired and could develop into a stud Slot Receiver. There were some losses, but overall the Browns improved. I expect the Browns to be legit playoff contenders, but a lot will have to go their way to win it all. If I knew Watson would be his old self, I’d bet them to win the Super Bowl. However, it’s hard to project that.

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Key

Grading scale: 20-100.

(+): The player is expected to improve.

Player Tiers:

Team Overview

Coaching Staff

Kevin Stefanski is one of the many young, bright head coaches in the league right now. He quickly rose to fame in the NFL and won coach of the year in his first season as the head coach. It also only took him one year as a play-caller to get the gig in Cleveland. Before becoming a play-caller for Minnesota, he was a position coach for about ten years. Some notable names that influenced him were Pat Shurmer and Norv Turner. He primarily stuck to a wide-zone offense early on as a play-caller but has branched off into a plethora of other concepts as well. His experience shows, and his offense uses practically everything.

Additionally, Alex Van Pelt is also here to help add insight to the offense. Because Mike McCarthy and Zac Taylor influenced him, he brings modern pro-spread and wide-zone concepts to the table. I don’t think Van Pelt is a great option to add insight, but having him here also doesn’t hurt. Stefanski and Van Pelt do an excellent job attacking the whole field and mixing up the run game. While not elite play-calling, it’s up there for some of the best.

Jim Schwartz was known for being the head coach for Detroit from 2009 to 2013. He ultimately failed as a head coach but was a fine DC for Philadelphia. He stepped away in 2021 and is now returning to calling defensive plays. Schwartz uses a base 4-3 front and loves to play man coverage. In 2019, he ran roughly 40% man coverage with his Corners. While he doesn’t blitz more than five very often, he makes excellent use of stunts and twists. As head coach and DC, Schwartz has had success with only blitzing four. His over-aggressiveness in coverage led to many coverage whiffs, but this is a fantastic Corner room in Cleveland. The personnel altogether is perfect for this scheme, which is exciting.

Browns Offense

Overall Offense – 86.7 (4)

Cleveland has several massive strengths on offense. If Watson can get back to his regular self, this will be a highly dangerous and potent offense. Watson still showed flashes of his old self last season and, at the minimum, will be a competent QB. Hopefully, he’s in better physical shape this year, as that limited his play. He was one of the best escape artists we’ve ever seen when he was with the Texans. Amari Copper is coming off a strong season and is still an excellent separator. He’ll be a true number one to rely on, and I expect him to develop good chemistry with Watson. Donovan People-Jones will play on the other perimeter and is an ascending quality starter. He’s a big-bodied target with exceptional ball skills. Elijah Moore will be a feisty slot and could break out in Cleveland.

Furthermore, David Njoku is an athletic and physical Tight End who’ll be the second-best receiving weapon on the team. He has continued to improve and is a dynamic asset. Harrison Bryant is a solid wing TE who helps block. The depth at Receiver is deep and filled with guys who could start in a pinch. Nick Chubb is arguably the best running back in football. His toughness and demeanor as a runner are unmatched. If Chubb gets hurt, however, they’ll be in trouble. Demetric Felton Jr. is ideally a third or fourth RB, but he’s the second here. The same goes for Jerome Ford. The weaponry here is still fantastic and will elevate Deshaun Watson.

Moreover, this O-Line is nasty, and there’s no better way to put it. Jedrick Wills Jr. was a highly talented prospect coming out and had an impressive rookie year. He hasn’t developed much since then but is still a quality option to protect the blindside. Joel Bitonio is among the many Interior O-Linemen who gets underrated by the media. He is a rock at Guard and is a very versatile run blocker. Ethan Pocic is an ideal scheme fit in this offense. He’s an athletic Center who blocks well on the move. Wyatt Teller is coming off a down year, though he is one of the best run blockers at Guard. Cleveland highly covets his get-off and ability to wreak havoc on the second level. Jack Conklin isn’t the best athlete, but he is very polished and refined.

In addition, Dawand Jones is one of the better backup Tackles in the league. Watch out for him in a year or two. Additionally, Nick Harris and Michael Dunn are solid backups on the interior. This O-Line will impose its will on defenses and be perfect for stretch and outside zone runs. Cleveland could be an unstoppable offense as Watson will have excellent pass-pro and a dominant run game.

Browns Defense

Overall Defense – 81.5 (10)

There are many reasons to believe this defense will excel, but I think there’s also a reason they’ve performed poorly. They did the right thing by firing Joe Woods, but Jim Schwartz was a mediocre hire. It’s not like the personnel here are elite, either. It’ll still be an excellent defense, but not an elite defense. This Corner room is easy to get behind. Denzel Ward is one of the most remarkable athletes at Corner. He is terrific in man coverage and should have a massive season in 2023. Additionally, Martin Emerson should play on the other perimeter and is coming off a breakout year. His length and physicality allow him to press tremendously well. Greg Newsome is an even better player than Emerson, although he’ll be limited to the Slot for the most part.

Furthermore, Cleveland signed Juan Thornhill to play Free Safety. Thornhill had an ugly year in 2022 but still has a lot of talent. Rodney McLeod is a serviceable third Safety and will bring a veteran presence to the locker room. I had high hopes for Grant Delpit coming out, but injuries mostly derailed his career. He could still develop, but I wouldn’t expect too much out of him.

Moreover, these Linbebackers will do for Cleveland. JOK is a highly entertaining Linebacker with elite athleticism. He’s gradually improved but still hasn’t taken that significant step up. Maybe that will happen this season. Anthony Walker Jr. is solid and will play decently well next to JOK. Additionally, Sione Takitaki is an impactful run defender. The depth isn’t terrible, but they’d much rather have their starters out there.

The Brown’s D-Line looks scary – at least in the pass rush sense. Myles Garrett is perhaps the freakiest athlete in football. His size-explosiveness combo is world-class, and he’s put together some of the best pass-rush moves. He isn’t an elite run defender, nor is he on the field much on run-downs, but he will still make impactful plays. For more analysis on Garrett, read “Ranking The Ten Best EDGEs In The NFL.” Za’Darius Smith is an experienced, versatile EDGE coming off a massive season. As a number two, he’ll cause some problems for offenses. He isn’t a good run defender, although that doesn’t make much of a difference.

Dalvin Tomlinson is a stud-run defender and will eat up double teams, allowing for easier jobs for the rest of the D-Linemen. He’s a decent pass rusher, too, despite not being athletic. I’m concerned about Jordan Elliot, as he got gashed in run defense last year. If Maurice Hurst can get on the field, he’ll be a solid number two, but that’s a big if. This defense has some weaknesses, but they’ll at least hold up better than most.

Browns Schedule

Total Win Projection – 10.0