2015 Season Predictions: AFC North Preview

Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Danny Shelton (Washington) poses for a photo after being selected as the number 12th overall pick to the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Key Additions: QB Josh McCown. WR Dwayne Bowe, WR Brian Hartline, TE Rob Housler, DL Randy Starks, CB Tramon Williams, G Cameron Erving, DT Danny Shelton 

To begin, I must say the Browns offense was surprisingly decent for a large part of the 2014 season, despite having Brian Hoyer as starting quarterback and a bunch of mediocre or worse wide receivers. The problem is, that hasn’t changed much. Sure, Hoyer isn’t on the team anymore, but McCown really isn’t much better if at all.

While Bowe might still have some decent football in him, he is on the wrong side of 30 and was part an offense last year that didn’t have a single wide receiver find the end zone. Hartline is coming off his worst season of his career as he simply couldn’t beat out his younger competition in Miami. Housler is intriguing because of his great speed, but he has not been given the chance to show off his skill.

Adding Erving should help an already good offensive line which should take some pressure off the passing game. On defense they really addressed the issue of having the worst running defense in the NFL, by signing both Randy Starks and drafting Danny Shelton.

Though his numbers were low last year, Starks is a very good defensive lineman and should help the defense a lot. Drafting Shelton with the 12th pick was an absolute steal, as he has a major presence in the middle and should really help this run defense. Adding Williams will give Gilbert more time to develop and also gives them a solid No. 2 corner next to Joe Haden, and therefore really completing the secondary.

Dec 7, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback

(6) is sacked by Indianapolis Colts outside linebacker

(93) during the first quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports

Key Losses: QB Brian Hoyer, WR Miles Austin, TE Jordan Cameron, DT Ahtyba Rubin, OLB Jabaal Sheard, CB Buster Skrine, Josh Gordon (1 year) 

Hoyer was clearly not the quarterback solution the Browns were looking for, so they let him go and replaced him with McCown. I don’t believe Hoyer will be missed. I am very surprised Austin was signed by another team as it appeared to me that his time in the NFL is over.

Cameron has the talent to become a borderline Top 5 tight end in the NFL, but his inability to stay on the field frustrated the Browns and they simply didn’t want to deal with him anymore. Losing Josh Gordon will cripple the offense. He is the one electrifying and game changing player they have, but because of off the field issues he has only had one season to show his skills.

Losing Rubin likely won’t hurt the Browns very much as they had the worst run defense in the league last year and they brought in two very capable defensive lineman. Sheard might be the player the team will miss most. Sheard had a good year for the Browns and him leaving the team will leave a small void.

Mingo will be one of the players who will have to make up for him leaving. Skrine was a decent cornerback who was often penalized but also very often targeted. He was the second most targeted cornerback in the NFL. Williams is clearly better than Skrine so the Browns nicely filled the void he might have left.

Verdict: 

The Browns might have gotten a bit better, especially their run defense, but the quarterback situation is still a major issue. If they actually plan on starting McCown this year, they are in trouble. They drafted Johnny Manziel in the first round and they have to give him more of a chance than they did last year.

They must build their playbook around him and not try to force him into their system. McCown won’t be around much longer and isn’t good enough to lead them into the playoffs . Bowe and Hartline are also both aging players past their prime and adding them to Andrew Hawkins and Taylor Gabriel doesn’t make for the most threatening receiving corps.

The running back tandem of Crowell and West will have to lead this offense and hope that the quarterback won’t lose them the game. The defense is going to be pretty good. They improved their run defense and their front seven as a whole is very solid. Add that to Joe Haden and a good secondary and you have a pretty good defense and that is what I expect from them this upcoming year. The defense will have to win the games and the offense will have to try and not lose them.

Jun 16, 2015; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Josh McCown (13) throws a pass during minicamp at the Cleveland Browns practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Predictions:

Best Case Record: 5-11

Worst Case Record: 0-16

Prediction: 2-14

Team’s Offensive MVP: LT Joe Thomas

Team’s Defensive MVP: DT Danny Shelton

Rookie Standout: DT Danny Shelton

I think the Browns are in for another tough year. I think the only hope is that Johnny Manziel actually improves because Josh McCown will not be able to have success with the targets he has in Cleveland if he couldn’t have success with his better targets in Tampa Bay.

I think their defense might win them some games against bad teams and potentially a divisional game , but they won’t be able to put up many points. Best case scenario is that there defense plays really good  and wins them a few games, but worst case is that they can’t put up any points on offense and their run defense isn’t as improved as expected.

Next: Who will have a disappointing season ending in third place?