The most overrated NFL team from every division in 2022
By Randy Gurzi
AFC North: Cleveland Browns
Where to begin with the Cleveland Browns.
As long as Jimmy Haslam is the owner, this team is apparently going to make headlines — and it’s usually not for good reasons. This year, it’s been all about their pursuit of Deshaun Watson who is likely to miss most of — if not all — of the 2022 season.
Not only did they alienate a portion of their fan base in this pursuit but they also gave themselves a major off-field distraction they needed to overcome. But even outside of the Watson news, this fan base suddenly got a taste of winning in 2020 and they’re criminally over-valuing their roster.
Sure, they have two great running backs in Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt as well as a solid No. 1 option at receiver in Amari Cooper — but that’s about it. Their offensive line has solid guards but isn’t great outside of that. Jed Wills was up and down last year at left tackle and Jack Conklin is coming off a serious injury.
Defensively, they have Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney but their defensive tackles and linebackers leave a lot to be desired. Their secondary is fine but not elite — and the cornerbacks are injured far too often.
Despite all this, Cleveland fans constantly claim to have one of the best rosters in the NFL. It’s a good one and can contend with Watson. Without him, they’re a team that will flirt with eight or nine wins at the most and is arguably the No. 3 team in the North — at best.