SEASON PREDICTION 

The Browns are a prime example of why quarterback is the most important position in the NFL. Their roster outside of the QB position is solid and would likely be a wild card team if they had a serviceable gunslinger in the backfield. Unfortunately, they're having a QB battle right now between trash, garbage, and dumpster fire. Whoever wins the QB battle will presumably end up as a bottom five statistical quarterback in the league by the end of the season. Outside of the inept QB room Cleveland went out this offseason and hired a new coach replacing their 2x AP COTY winner Kevin Stefanski. In his place, they signed the uninspiring 60-year-old Tood Monkin, who I foresee being used as a scapegoat in a year when he's eventually fired.   

Cleveland did make headlines this offseason with one of the biggest trades in NFL history dealing Myles Garrett to the Rams for Jared Verse and three picks. Verse offers a great return for Cleveland as he is a 26-year-old defensive end with great potential who has already collected some hardware winning ROTY. Something that also goes unnoticed with the Browns is that they have done a great job drafting these past couple years with players such as Carson Schwesinger and Mason Graham who have proved to be vital contributors for the front seven. In the secondary, they resigned Denzel Ward, one of the best CBs in the league, to help keep that backline strong. I do expect a falloff in defensive efficiency from previous years, but that's to be expected when you lose one of the best edge rushers in NFL history. That said in typical Browns fashion they lost their outstanding DC due to stupid front office management, so it will be a bit of a mystery on how well their new coach can perform with this revamped defense.  

As for the offensive side of the ball, Cleveland's O-line went through a huge change with all five linemen from 2025 either retiring or leaving in free agency which left Cleveland with a gaping hole in the trenches. To their credit, they went out in free agency and signed two offensive linemen in Zion Johnson, and Elgton Jenkins while also utilizing their 9th overall pick to draft Spencer Fano. Unfortunately for this new line they're going to have to build up their chemistry quickly, or else things could get ugly real fast. Unlike teams such as Minnesota, Cleveland doesn't have the luxury being able to jot out an average quarterback to be boosted up by an elite wide receiving duo and offensive-minded head coach. While there are some promising prospects in the wide receiver room such as rookies KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston, I don't think they're ready to break out onto the scene so quickly, and I have no hope for Jerry Judy doing anything productive. To make matters worse, the QB room is significantly worse than anything Minnesota has trotted out, so the passing game will likely be non-existent this year. Hence turning all eyes towards Quinshon Judkins who is coming off a fractured fibula and dislocated ankle. It's going to be an uphill climb for Judkins having to deal with a completely new O-line and defenses stacking the box. Coverages will likely consist of covers 0 or cover 1 because defenses will feel no pressure from being exploited in the passing game. With all of this combined I have the Browns finishing 2-15 with the worst record in the league. Albeit this may be a blessing in disguise for Cleveland as it may lead to them finally drafting their franchise QB.