The Cleveland Browns finished 5-12 last season. While that record is far from impressive, it did represent a two-win improvement over the previous season. However, a second consecutive losing season was enough for General Manager Andrew Berry to make sweeping changes, parting ways with the coaching staff and allowing two-time NFL Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski to depart for Atlanta.
Replacing him is Todd Monken, who at 60 years old will receive his first NFL head coaching opportunity. Monken spent the last three seasons as the offensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens after a successful stint in the same role at the University of Georgia. His only previous head coaching experience came at Southern Miss in the collegiate ranks. Monken earned considerable praise for helping shape one of the NFL’s most dangerous offenses around quarterback Lamar Jackson and running back Derrick Henry. Replicating that success in Cleveland may prove more challenging, however, as the Browns lack a player remotely comparable to Jackson. Because of that, Monken is expected to take a more balanced and adaptable approach early on as he evaluates the strengths of his new roster.
Joining him on offense is Travis Switzer, who follows Monken from Baltimore after serving as the Ravens’ run game coordinator. While Switzer takes the title of offensive coordinator in Cleveland, Monken is expected to remain the primary architect and play-caller of the offense, making Switzer’s role similar to the one he held with the Ravens.
Defensively, the Browns turn to Mike Rutenberg, who arrives from Atlanta where he served as defensive pass game coordinator. Rutenberg has also spent significant time coaching linebackers and defensive backs throughout his career. While he is a respected rising coach, he faces a difficult task replacing Jim Schwartz, whose defenses were among the league’s most respected units during his tenure in Cleveland. Rutenberg comes from the Robert Saleh coaching tree and is expected to implement a variation of the aggressive 4-2 defensive system he learned under that philosophy.
On special teams, Cleveland hired Byron Storer away from Green Bay, where he most recently served as the Packers’ assistant special teams coach. He now takes over as the Browns’ special teams coordinator.
The new coaching staff brings fresh ideas and plenty of intrigue, but it also comes with significant uncertainty. Stefanski and Schwartz built strong reputations during their time in Cleveland, and replacing that experience will not be easy. Still, after back-to-back losing seasons, it is understandable why the Browns decided a new direction was necessary. Whether these changes lead to better results remains one of the biggest questions surrounding the franchise entering the season.
Quarterbacks (32nd)
The quarterback room features plenty of familiar names, but it looks significantly different from the group that entered last season. Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, both members of the 2025 draft class, return after seeing playing time as rookies. They are joined by Deshaun Watson, who missed all of last season due to injury.
Neither Sanders nor Gabriel impressed in their limited opportunities last year, though Sanders ultimately appeared to separate himself and emerge as the favorite moving forward. That said, neither quarterback consistently looked like a long-term NFL starter. Sanders showed flashes of playmaking ability but struggled with consistency, while Gabriel failed to do enough to firmly establish himself in the competition.
Watson remains the biggest wild card in the room. The former Houston Texans star is now several years removed from the elite level of play that earned him a massive contract and prompted Cleveland to trade a significant package of assets to acquire him. His tenure with the Browns has been defined by inconsistent play, injuries, and off-field controversies, and there was a point where many believed he had already played his final game for the franchise. Instead, he enters training camp with another opportunity to compete for the starting job.
At the moment, the competition appears to be primarily between Sanders and Watson. Regardless of who ultimately wins the job, however, this is the weakest quarterback situation in the league on paper. Until someone proves otherwise, Cleveland enters the season with my No. 32-ranked quarterback room.
The final member of the group is sixth-round rookie Taylen Green. Green is one of the most athletic quarterbacks in football and possesses intriguing physical tools, but he remains extremely raw as a passer. His development as a quarterback has been limited to this point, and there are legitimate questions about whether his long-term future might be at another position. Given his size and athleticism, a move to wide receiver or tight end could potentially increase his chances of carving out an NFL career.
Roster construction will also be worth monitoring. Most NFL teams prefer to carry only three quarterbacks, making it difficult to envision all four players remaining on the active roster. Gabriel currently appears to be the most likely odd man out, though other outcomes remain possible. If Watson loses the competition outright, the Browns could decide to move on from him entirely, while a position switch for Green would also simplify the numbers game. One way or another, this quarterback room is likely to look different by the time Week 1 arrives.
Running Backs (25th)
The Browns’ running back room remains largely intact from last season, with Jerome Ford being the only notable departure from the 2025 group. As a result, much of the focus will be on the continued development of the team’s young backs, led by Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson.
Judkins emerged as the clear lead back during his rookie season and enters the year as the centerpiece of Cleveland’s rushing attack. If he can maintain the level of play he showed for most of last season, this backfield has a strong chance to outperform its No. 25 ranking. Judkins displayed the ability to handle a significant workload while providing consistent production, giving the Browns a foundation to build around offensively.
Sampson complements Judkins well as a change-of-pace option. His speed and quickness bring a different element to the offense and should allow Cleveland to keep both backs involved throughout the season. Together, the duo gives the Browns a young and versatile backfield with plenty of upside.
Raheim Sanders projects as the third running back on the depth chart. A bigger, more physical runner, Sanders possesses the size and athletic traits that make him effective in short-yardage situations and pass protection. While he may not see the same volume of touches as Judkins or Sampson, he fills an important role and gives the Browns a different style of runner when needed.
Behind them, Ahmani Marshall generated some buzz as an undrafted rookie last year and remains a depth option. Cleveland also added Davon Booth and T.J. Harden as undrafted free agents this offseason, providing additional competition for roster spots and practice squad roles.
One of the more interesting additions is fullback Michael Burton, who arrives from Denver. While many NFL teams rarely utilize a true fullback, Todd Monken comes from a Baltimore system that made excellent use of Patrick Ricard in both the running and passing games. Burton could carve out a meaningful role if the Browns choose to incorporate similar concepts into their offense.
While a No. 25 ranking may seem underwhelming at first glance, it says more about the uncertainty surrounding a young and relatively unproven group than it does about the talent in the room. Judkins has already shown lead-back potential, Sampson offers an exciting complementary skill set, and the depth pieces fit defined roles. Assuming the group remains healthy, running back is not a position that should cause significant concern for Cleveland heading into the season.
Weapons (31st)
Wide Receivers (30th)
Wide receiver is arguably the most intriguing position group on Cleveland’s roster entering the season, even if the unit ranks just 30th in my overall positional rankings. The Browns invested heavily in upgrading the room, spending two early draft picks on receivers with very different skill sets while also returning every wide receiver who played more than one offensive snap for the team last season.
Jerry Jeudy remains the headliner of the group and will open the season as the Browns’ No. 1 receiver. That said, expectations are tempered after a disappointing follow-up campaign to his breakout season alongside Jameis Winston. Jeudy still possesses the route-running ability and explosiveness that made him such a highly regarded prospect, but Cleveland needs him to return to the form he showed two years ago if this passing game is going to take a significant step forward.
The biggest additions come in the form of rookies KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston. Concepcion projects as the primary slot receiver and gives the offense a unique weapon capable of contributing on screens, jet sweeps, and other designed touches. His ability to create after the catch should make him a valuable piece in Todd Monken’s offense, particularly if Cleveland is looking for ways to manufacture explosive plays. Boston brings a completely different skill set. After falling into the second round, the big-bodied receiver gives the Browns something they have lacked in recent years: a true contested-catch specialist on the outside. His size, catch radius, and physicality should make life easier for whichever quarterback wins the starting job, especially in the red zone and on third downs.
The arrival of those two rookies creates an interesting situation for Cedric Tillman. Tillman has flashed potential throughout his career but has yet to establish himself as a consistent contributor. Entering the final year of his rookie contract, he could emerge as a trade candidate if Cleveland believes the younger additions have surpassed him on the depth chart. Isaiah Bond also finds himself pushed down the pecking order after opening last season in a larger role. Bond was one of the more intriguing undrafted additions in recent memory after off-field concerns caused him to slide out of the draft entirely. His speed and versatility still make him an interesting developmental piece, and he could compete with Concepcion for slot snaps, but likely will take a backup role if he makes the team.
The Browns also added Tylan Wallace, who never fully carved out a consistent offensive role in Baltimore but brings valuable experience and special teams ability. Behind him, Jamari Thrash, Malachi Corley, and Gage Larvadain all return after playing smaller roles last season and will compete for depth spots.
Rounding out the room are Luke Floriea, Kole Wilson, and Aaron Anderson. Of the three, Anderson may be the most intriguing after generating some draft buzz during his time at LSU. However, with so many established and recently drafted players ahead of him, earning a roster spot will be a difficult challenge.
Despite the low ranking, there is a lot to like about the long-term outlook of this group. Jeudy gives the Browns a proven veteran, Concepcion and Boston bring exciting new dimensions to the offense, and the depth chart is filled with young players who still have room to develop. The biggest question isn’t talent—it’s whether Cleveland can get consistent quarterback play to maximize what may be one of the most interesting position groups on the roster.
Tight Ends (18th)
Tight end becomes one of the more fascinating position groups on the roster following the departure of longtime starter David Njoku. On the surface, the unit ranks just 18th in my positional rankings, but that ranking is driven almost entirely by the presence of Harold Fannin Jr. Without him, this would be one of the biggest question marks on the team.
Fannin was one of the revelations of the Browns’ season as a rookie, leading the team in receiving yards and quickly establishing himself as one of the offense’s most important weapons. Interestingly, much of his production came while lining up in the slot rather than as a traditional in-line tight end. His versatility allows Cleveland to create mismatches against linebackers and safeties, but it also creates an interesting challenge when constructing the rest of the depth chart. Because Fannin is used so frequently as a receiving threat, the Browns are likely to continue utilizing a significant amount of 12 personnel with two tight ends on the field. The issue is determining who fills the complementary role left behind by Njoku.
At the moment, that player appears to be Blake Whiteheart. From a stylistic standpoint, Whiteheart fits nicely alongside Fannin as a traditional blocking tight end. The concern is that he has yet to prove he can handle a larger workload. Whiteheart played just 22% of the offensive snaps last season and functioned almost exclusively as a blocker. In 245 offensive snaps, he recorded only two receptions for four yards. While his blocking has value, he’s not the type of player who inspires much excitement as a featured contributor. The dependence on Fannin becomes even more apparent when considering injury scenarios. If Fannin misses time or struggles to replicate his breakout rookie campaign, the Browns suddenly have far more questions than answers at the position.
Behind Whiteheart are two late-round rookies, Joe Royer and Carsen Ryan. Both possess the size and physical profile to operate as in-line tight ends, but projecting college blockers to the NFL level is always difficult. Their development throughout training camp and the preseason could play a major role in determining how comfortable the Browns feel about their depth. The team also added veteran Jack Stoll in free agency. Stoll has never managed to establish himself as a consistent contributor during previous stops, but his skill set fits what Cleveland appears to be looking for. As a blocking-first tight end, he could legitimately compete with Whiteheart for the TE2 role. At the same time, the competition is open enough that he could just as easily find himself on the outside looking in when final roster cuts arrive. Brendan Bates also returns after logging 119 offensive snaps last season. Like several others in this room, his primary contributions came outside of the passing game, as he finished with just two receptions on the year.
Overall, the tight end room is a tale of one proven player and a collection of possibilities. Fannin gives the Browns a legitimate difference-maker and one of the most exciting young tight ends in football. Beyond him, however, there are very few established answers. Much like the wide receiver room, Cleveland has no shortage of options competing for roster spots and playing time. The challenge will be identifying which of those options can develop into reliable contributors alongside their emerging star.
Offensive Line (26th)
Offensive Tackles (30th) & Interior Offensive Line (12th)
Cleveland was once known for having one of the league’s premier offensive lines, but that reputation has faded over the past several seasons. The unit has steadily declined year after year, and after last season’s disappointing performance, the Browns essentially rebuilt the group from the ground up.
At tackle, the Browns will feature two new starters. Tytus Howard arrives via trade from Houston and provides a steady veteran presence on the right side. Opposite him is first-round pick Spencer Fano, one of my favorite prospects in the entire draft class. Fano may be a slightly riskier projection than some of the other top tackles from this class, but I believe he possesses the highest ceiling of the group. Cleveland clearly agrees, and he should step into the starting lineup from Day 1.
The depth at tackle is solid as well. Dawand Jones transitions into a backup role after losing his starting job, but he remains a capable reserve with starting experience. Third-round rookie Austin Barber brings developmental upside and could eventually push for a larger role. Behind them, Jeremiah Byers, Tyre Phillips, and undrafted rookie Izavion Miller provide additional competition, though the first four names appear to be the most likely candidates to make the roster.
The interior offensive line underwent just as much change. Teven Jenkins is the only projected starter who was with the team last season, though injuries limited him to less than 30% of the Browns’ offensive snaps. Cleveland surrounded him with two experienced additions in Elgton Jenkins and Zion Johnson, both talented veterans who had fallen out of favor with their previous organizations. Elgton Jenkins is expected to move to center. While his versatility is a strength, center has not necessarily been his best position, and Cleveland will need him to be more consistent there than he was in Green Bay.
One of the most valuable pieces on the roster may actually be KT Leveston. Though listed as a guard, he played most of his snaps at tackle last season and has the flexibility to fill in virtually anywhere along the offensive line. Every good offensive line needs a reliable swing player, and Leveston appears well-suited for that role.
The battle for the remaining interior spots should be highly competitive. Zak Zinter was once viewed as one of Michigan’s top NFL prospects but has yet to fully regain his pre-injury form. Kendrick Green, Luke Wypler, and Kingsley Eguakun all provide experienced depth, though they may find themselves competing directly with fifth-round rookie Parker Brailsford for roster spots. Jack Conley rounds out the group and offers additional versatility with experience at both tackle and guard.
Much like several other position groups on the roster, the Browns have assembled a deep collection of players with legitimate NFL ability. In fact, there are probably more viable offensive linemen here than roster spots available. The issue is that while the depth is respectable, the top-end talent is no longer what it once was. The interior line deserves credit for having no obvious weak links, which helps push that group into my top half of the league at No. 12. The offensive line as a whole, however, ranks 26th. That’s an improvement over where Cleveland was a year ago, but it’s still far from the dominant unit that once defined the franchise. This group should be competent, and its depth is encouraging, but expecting it to become a major strength would be premature.
Offense (32nd) – Pass Game (32nd) – Run Game (30th)
There is no shortage of intrigue on Cleveland’s offense. The Browns have invested heavily in young talent, added an entirely new coaching staff, and feature several players who could take significant steps forward this season. The problem is that potential and proven production are two very different things.
Despite having interesting pieces across the roster, Cleveland does not rank particularly highly at any offensive position. The biggest issue is quarterback, where the Browns enter the season with my No. 32-ranked quarterback room. Until someone proves capable of consistently elevating the offense, that position will continue to drag down the outlook of the entire unit. Could Cleveland look to address the position through the supplemental draft by targeting Brendan Sorsby? It’s certainly possible. However, even if they were to add him, it’s difficult to project a significant improvement in the overall ranking without seeing him take NFL snaps first. At this point, any solution at quarterback remains more theoretical than practical.
As things currently stand, the identity of this offense is clear: it will be built around the running game. Quinshon Judkins gives the Browns a promising lead back, the interior offensive line remains one of the stronger areas of the roster, and the team’s collection of blocking tight ends should allow Todd Monken to utilize a variety of heavy personnel packages. Expect Cleveland to lean heavily on the ground game while trying to protect its quarterbacks and control the tempo of games.
Of course, there is a path to this offense exceeding expectations. If one of the quarterbacks emerges as a legitimate starter, Harold Fannin Jr. builds on his breakout rookie season, and the rookie receiver duo of KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston immediately contributes, the outlook could change dramatically. There is enough young talent here to envision a much more productive offense than the rankings suggest.
For now, though, too many questions remain unanswered. The Browns have several intriguing building blocks, but they lack certainty at the most important position in sports. Until that changes, I have Cleveland ranked as the NFL’s No. 32 offense, making it one of the biggest obstacles the team must overcome if it hopes to take a meaningful step forward this season.
Defensive Line (17th)
Interior Defensive Line (25th)
The Browns’ interior defensive line mirrors much of the offense: there are several solid pieces in place, but not enough proven high-end talent to rank the group particularly highly entering the season.
Veteran Maliek Collins projects as the team’s top defensive tackle. Collins is a reliable starter and brings plenty of experience, but ideally he would be a complementary piece rather than the focal point of the interior. He can hold his own against both the run and pass, but he isn’t the type of disruptive force that offenses need to gameplan around.
The player with the greatest potential to change the outlook of this unit is 2025 first-round pick Mason Graham. Graham flashed plenty of promise as a rookie and has all the tools to develop into the Browns’ best interior defender. If he takes a significant step forward and emerges as a true pass-rushing threat, the perception of Cleveland’s entire defensive front could change dramatically. At the moment, however, that remains more projection than reality.
Mike Hall Jr. provides a useful rotational pass-rushing option and should continue to carve out a role in sub-packages. His quickness and ability to penetrate make him an effective change-of-pace defender, but he has yet to show enough consistency to seriously challenge Collins or Graham for a starting role. The depth behind the top three is less inspiring. Kalia Davis, Adin Huntington, Sam Kamara, and Elijah Chatman all offer developmental or replacement-level depth. While one or two could earn roster spots, none project as major contributors, and ideally the Browns won’t need to rely heavily on any of them outside of injury situations.
Overall, Cleveland’s interior defensive line feels serviceable rather than dominant. Collins provides a stable veteran presence, Graham offers legitimate upside, and Hall adds value as a rotational rusher. The problem is that the group currently lacks a proven difference-maker. If Graham develops into the impact player the Browns drafted him to be, this unit could quickly become a strength. Until that happens, though, the interior remains more solid than spectacular.
Edge Rushers (11th)
While trading Myles Garrett significantly impacts both the edge room and the defense as a whole, this remains one of the Browns’ strongest position groups. The centerpiece is Jared Verse, the crown jewel of the Garrett trade package. Verse immediately becomes one of the best players on Cleveland’s roster and fits the franchise’s timeline much better than the veteran Garrett did. Replacing a player of Garrett’s caliber is impossible, there simply aren’t any defenders in the league capable of replicating the impact he brought on a weekly basis. That said, Verse is one of the NFL’s most promising young edge rushers and gives the Browns a legitimate building block to construct their defense around.
Behind Verse, Cleveland returns Alex Wright and Isaiah McGuire, who essentially split EDGE2 duties last season. Neither player is a star, but together they form a solid rotational pairing capable of handling significant snaps. Their versatility and familiarity with the defense should help ease the transition following Garrett’s departure.
Depth will be one of the more interesting storylines to watch throughout training camp. Julian Okwara provides veteran insurance and could earn a roster spot as a rotational pass rusher, but the more intriguing names are among the undrafted free agents. Logan Fano entered the league as one of the most highly regarded undrafted edge defenders in this class and has a realistic chance to make the roster. Tyreak Sapp and Khordae Sydnor also offer developmental upside, while Benton Whitley was recently added after being released by Tampa Bay and gives the Browns another experienced option competing for a reserve role.
As a whole, this group should function similarly to previous Browns defensive lines. The difference is that the game-changing, drive-wrecking plays that Garrett routinely produced may not come with the same frequency. Verse is an excellent young player, but asking anyone to replicate Garrett’s impact would be unfair. The result is a defensive front that remains respectable but no longer ranks among the league’s elite. The edge room still grades out as the 11th-best group in the NFL thanks to Verse and a solid collection of complementary pieces. However, when combined with a less imposing interior defensive line, the Browns fall to 17th overall on the defensive line rankings. That’s still a capable unit, but it’s no longer the dominant strength that once defined this defense.
Linebackers (10th)
The linebacker corps is headlined by reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year Carson Schwesinger, but beyond him, this room looks very different from the one Cleveland fielded last season.
Schwesinger quickly established himself as one of the best young linebackers in football during his rookie campaign and enters the season as the unquestioned leader of the position group. His range, instincts, and playmaking ability give the Browns a true cornerstone defender in the middle of their defense, and he will be counted on heavily once again.
Joining him is Quincy Williams, a former All-Pro who arrives looking to revitalize his career. Williams was one of the league’s most disruptive linebackers during his peak with the Jets, but his play has declined in recent seasons. Cleveland presents an interesting opportunity for him. Williams can play alongside Schwesinger and focus on returning to the aggressive, downhill style that made him successful in the first place. If he rebounds, the Browns could have one of the better linebacker duos in the league. If his struggles continue, however, the position becomes much thinner in a hurry.
That concern stems largely from the lack of proven depth behind the starters. Fifth-round rookie Justin Jefferson arrives from Alabama with intriguing upside, but expecting him to make a major impact as a rookie would be unrealistic. He projects more as a developmental player and special teams contributor early in his career. The Browns also have several young players competing for reserve roles. Winston Reid and Easton Mascarenas-Arnold both entered the league as undrafted free agents, while Nathaniel Watson was selected in the sixth round of the 2024 draft. All three will need to contribute on special teams while competing for defensive snaps. Of that group, Reid may have the highest upside, though Mascarenas-Arnold does have the advantage of seeing limited defensive action last season. Edefuan Ulofoshio and undrafted rookie Reid Carrico round out the room and will likely be competing for roster spots and special teams roles throughout training camp.
Ultimately, this is a position group defined by the quality of its starters. Schwesinger looks like a future star, and Williams still possesses enough talent to be an effective complementary piece if he can recapture some of his previous form. That pairing is strong enough to push the Browns up to 10th in my linebacker rankings. The concern is what happens behind them. The depth is largely unproven, and there isn’t an obvious candidate ready to step into a major role if injuries strike. If Williams struggles again or either starter misses significant time, a perceived strength could quickly become a weakness. For now, though, the top-end talent is enough to make linebacker one of the brighter spots on Cleveland’s defense.
Cornerbacks (11th)
Cornerback is another one of the Browns’ stronger position groups, though it comes with a notable concern that prevents it from ranking among the league’s elite. Denzel Ward continues to anchor the room as a reliable No. 1 cornerback. While he may no longer be viewed as one of the NFL’s true superstar defensive backs, he remains a high-end starter capable of matching up with opposing top receivers on a weekly basis. Ward’s consistency and experience give Cleveland a dependable foundation on the outside.
Opposite him is Tyson Campbell, whose career has been revitalized since arriving in Cleveland. The trade that brought him to the Browns has worked out well, as Campbell has developed into a quality No. 2 cornerback. He can be inconsistent at times, but he has proven capable of handling a starting role and provides the Browns with a strong duo on the perimeter.
The biggest question mark comes in the slot. As things currently stand, 2024 seventh-round pick Myles Bryant is projected to handle nickel duties. Bryant offers some versatility and may ultimately be the best option currently on the roster, but there are legitimate concerns about his ability to hold up as a full-time starter. Slot corner is one of the most difficult positions in modern football, and offenses are increasingly willing to attack perceived weaknesses in coverage. If Bryant struggles, opposing quarterbacks will not hesitate to test him repeatedly.
The depth behind the starters is experienced but largely uninspiring. D’Angelo Ross, Dom Jones, and Tre Avery have all seen defensive snaps during their careers and will once again compete for roster spots and reserve roles. None project as major contributors, but each offers valuable depth and familiarity with NFL defenses. The Browns also added several new faces to the room. Michael Coats Jr. and Nate Evans arrive as undrafted free agents looking to earn developmental roles, while Tyron Herring was added in free agency and provides another veteran option to compete for a spot on the roster.
Ultimately, this position group’s ceiling will be determined by how Cleveland handles the nickel corner role. Ward and Campbell give the Browns one of the better outside cornerback pairings in the league, but modern defenses spend too much time in nickel packages to ignore the importance of the third starter. One possible solution would be utilizing a third safety more frequently in sub-packages, particularly if the coaching staff feels more comfortable with its safety depth than its slot corner options. Whether Cleveland chooses that route or sticks with Bryant, the position remains one of the defense’s biggest unanswered questions.
That uncertainty is why I have the Browns ranked 11th at cornerback. The starting talent on the outside is good enough to push the group even higher, but the concerns in the slot keep it just outside the top tier. If the Browns find a capable answer at nickel corner, this could become one of the stronger secondary units in the NFL. If they don’t, it could become a weakness that opposing offenses repeatedly exploit.
Safeties (17th)
Safety is another relatively strong position group for Cleveland, even if the Browns lack a true elite, game-changing star at the position. What they do have is something almost as valuable: three players who appear capable of handling significant defensive snaps.
Grant Delpit and Ronnie Hickman return as the projected starters after both played key roles last season. Neither player is likely to earn All-Pro consideration, but both are dependable starters who performed well enough to keep their jobs heading into another year. Delpit remains the more versatile of the two, while Hickman has quietly developed into a steady presence on the back end of the defense. The biggest addition to the room is second-round pick Emmanuel McNeil-Warren. Many draft analysts and fans viewed McNeil-Warren as a first-round caliber prospect, making him one of the better values of Cleveland’s draft class. Given both his talent and draft pedigree, it would not be surprising to see him pushing for meaningful playing time as early as Week 1. His arrival also creates one of the most fascinating roster questions on the entire team.
Throughout the offseason, concerns about the slot cornerback position have consistently surfaced. The Browns have a potential weakness there, but they also happen to have three starting-caliber safeties. Naturally, that raises the question of whether defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg will utilize more three-safety packages to get his best defensive backs on the field simultaneously. The challenge is that none of the three safeties fit the mold of a traditional nickel defender. McNeil-Warren may be the easiest player to move around simply because he is the least established of the group, but Delpit’s versatility arguably makes him the cleaner schematic fit closer to the line of scrimmage. Exactly how Cleveland chooses to deploy those pieces will be one of the more interesting defensive storylines to watch throughout the season.
Regardless of the alignment, the Browns have the personnel to field a quality secondary. Between Ward and Campbell at corner and Delpit, Hickman, and McNeil-Warren at safety, there is enough talent in the defensive backfield to compensate for weaknesses elsewhere.
The depth behind the top three safeties is less impressive but serviceable. Daniel Thomas projects primarily as a special teams contributor rather than a true defensive option, while Donovan McMillon, Christopher Edmonds, and Zion Washington will battle for reserve spots. All three have developmental value, but ideally none would be forced into a significant defensive role this season. Overall, safety is one of the steadier position groups on the roster. The Browns may not have a top-five player at the position, but they have quality starters, intriguing young talent, and enough versatility to give the coaching staff options. In a secondary that still has questions at nickel corner, that flexibility could prove especially valuable.
Defense (13th) – Front Seven (14th) – Coverage Unit (13th)
The final result is a well-balanced and relatively strong defensive unit. In many ways, this resembles some of the better Browns defenses from recent years, which is both encouraging and somewhat concerning. Cleveland has fielded quality defenses before without seeing those performances translate into wins.
This season, the burden on the defense may be greater than ever. With an offense that ranks 32nd in my preseason rankings by a fairly significant margin, the Browns will need their defense to consistently keep games competitive. There simply isn’t enough proven firepower on the offensive side of the ball to expect the team to win shootouts.
The front seven features the biggest names and receives most of the attention, led by players such as Carson Schwesinger and Jared Verse. However, the secondary deserves just as much credit. Denzel Ward, Tyson Campbell, Grant Delpit, Ronnie Hickman, and Emmanuel McNeil-Warren give Cleveland a talented coverage unit capable of matching up with a variety of offensive styles.
Ultimately, the success of this team may come down to game script. The Browns want to play through their defense and running game, controlling the tempo and limiting the burden on their quarterbacks. If the defense can consistently keep scores low and create favorable situations, that formula has a chance to work. If it can’t, Cleveland could find itself forced into obvious passing situations far too often. Given the questions surrounding the quarterback position and passing attack, that is a recipe for offensive struggles. The defense has the talent to be one of the better units in the league, but it may also be asked to carry more weight than any defense reasonably should. Whether it can do so will go a long way toward determining whether the Browns can exceed expectations or endure another difficult season.
Specialists (19th)
Special teams is always one of the most difficult units to evaluate, and that is especially true for Cleveland entering this season. The Browns’ 2025 special teams performance depends heavily on which metric you prefer. PFF graded the unit as one of the best in the league, while DVOA viewed it as one of the NFL’s worst. With such a wide discrepancy, it’s difficult to know exactly what to expect moving forward.
At kicker, Andre Szmyt returns after another solid but unspectacular season. He is not among the league’s elite kickers and probably ranks below average overall, but he has proven capable of handling the job and gives the Browns a stable option in the kicking game. While he may not win games on his own, he generally does enough to avoid losing them.
Punter Corey Bojorquez remains one of the stronger pieces of the unit. He has performed well during his time in Cleveland and enters camp as the clear favorite to retain the starting job. Competition will come from Nik Constantinou and Wes Pahl, but both appear more likely to be camp challengers than serious threats to Bojorquez’s roster spot.
Long snapper Rex Sunahara also returns and will enter his third season with the organization. As is often the case with long snappers, the lack of attention he receives is generally a positive sign. Cleveland has had stability at the position, and there is little reason to expect that to change.
The return game is where things become more uncertain. As of now, Gage Larvadain and Malachi Corley are listed as the primary kick and punt returners, but neither player is guaranteed a roster spot. Several other players could emerge as return options. Isaiah Bond brings intriguing speed and open-field ability, Dylan Sampson has the explosiveness to contribute, and veteran Tylan Wallace has previous return experience. The most exciting possibility may be rookie receiver KC Concepcion, whose elusiveness and playmaking ability could make him dangerous with the ball in his hands. However, given his expected role on offense, the Browns may prefer to limit his special teams responsibilities and avoid unnecessary wear and tear.
Win Prediction (Under 4.5)
The Browns enter the season with a Vegas win total of 4.5, and that number feels about right. Cleveland is clearly a team in transition, balancing a focus on long-term development with the realities of trying to remain competitive in the short term.
The biggest reason for optimism is the defense. This unit has talent at every level and should keep the Browns competitive in a number of games. Jared Verse, Carson Schwesinger, Denzel Ward, and the rest of the defensive core give Cleveland a legitimate foundation to build around, and there will likely be weeks where the defense carries the team to victories almost by itself.
The problem is on the other side of the ball. While there are plenty of intriguing young players, there are simply too many unanswered questions for me to feel confident in the offense. The quarterback situation remains one of the weakest in the league, the receiving corps is relying heavily on young and unproven contributors, and the offensive line is still trying to establish a new identity after significant turnover. Could everything break right? Sure. If the quarterback position exceeds expectations, Quinshon Judkins continues his development, Harold Fannin Jr. builds on his breakout season, and the rookie receivers make immediate impacts, this offense could outperform expectations. That’s a lot of “ifs,” though, and projecting a best-case scenario is rarely the safest bet.
Ultimately, I think the defense will be good enough to prevent a complete collapse, but not good enough to overcome the limitations of the offense over a full 17-game season. The Browns should be competitive more often than their record suggests, but close losses still count the same in the standings. I expect Cleveland to spend most of the season focused on evaluating young talent and building toward the future. By the end of the year, the Browns are more likely to be competing for the No. 1 overall pick than for a playoff berth.
