It’s a rebuild for this current iteration of the Cleveland Browns. With the Deshaun Watson trade turning out to be a disaster, the team has now pivoted in a new direction. Gone are some of the older veterans
that were on the team last year, with an incoming influx of new, young talent that have emerged (mainly on the defensive side), the team has shown signs that they aren’t as far off. Despite what the record says, the Browns have one of the top-ranked defenses in the league (both basic and advanced statistics back up that claim), but are being held back by anemic offense.
If you look around the NFL for the teams that are currently picking in the top 5 in the NFL Draft (if the season ended today), some might argue that the Browns are in a better spot than most.
The New York Jets have been atrocious all season. Same goes for the Tennessee Titans. As far as the Las Vegas Raiders go, despite overhauling most of their coaching staff and getting a new QB, the team looks worse than they did last year.
To a degree, Fox Sports radio host Colin Cowherd is right.
Cleveland’s roster isn’t nearly as bad as people suggest. The defense is elite, but the roster is being held back due to the offense’s lack of talent across the board. Considering how the AFC North is the weakest it’s been in quite some time, if the Browns had a competent offense, the team would be in talks for winning the division instead of potentially picking in the top 2.
However, things don’t go the way you want them to. In terms of how Cleveland is going about this rebuild, the team is doing it in a different way. Instead of selling off assets, they are keeping them, unlike the Jets. The team is getting good production from their rookie class and the foundation is being created, something that the team hasn’t had in a while.
The Browns could be back in playoff contention next season if they revamp the offense. The team is in some what of decent shape despite the offense having glaring holes at key position groups. All teams likely picking in the top 5 or 10 of any upcoming NFL draft are bad, Cleveland’s future just might be better than most.
