Author: Peter DiPaola
In our recent twitter poll asking if the Cleveland Browns could make the playoffs this season, 80% of the voters said no. That is an understandable number considering that Browns are coming off an 0-16 season, and a total record of 1-31 since current head coach Hue Jackson took over in 2016.
However the Browns have added this offseason in free agency, trades and the draft and acquired offensive coordinator Todd Haley who was on the Steelers staff as their offensive coordinator.
Cleveland added quarterbacks Tyrod Taylor (trade with the Buffalo Bills), and Baker Mayfield (1st overall pick in the draft), traded for Jarvis Landry (Miami Dolphins) and inked running back Carlos Hyde who had been a 49er until signing with the Browns. Cleveland also added cornerback Denzel Ward out of Ohio State with the 4th overall pick in this years NFL draft.
Cleveland also has wide receivers Corey Coleman and Josh Gordon along with tight end David Njoku and running backs Duke Johnson, and 2018 second round pick Nick Chubb.
With all the weapons at Tryod Taylor's disposal (he is currently the starter, per Hue Jackson), the Browns can look to improve on their offense which ranked dead last in points scored and turnovers.
They have new additions to their defense via free agency with cornerbacks E.J. Gaines, Terrance Mitchell and T.J. Carrie, to help fix a pass defense that had just 7 interceptions in 2017 (ranked 31st in that category).
The Browns could have a long road ahead to make the playoffs, but they will only face 5 teams that made the playoffs in 2017 (Steelers, Panthers, Chiefs, Saints, and Falcons), and the Steelers were the only team the made the playoffs from their division in 2017. It would be hard to imagine a team that went 0-16 being able to overcome the Steelers for the division, but it is feasible for them to make the playoffs as a wild card team, based on their schedule.
Their GM John Dorsey added plenty of talent during the offseason, and their new offensive coordinator spent the previous six years in Pittsburgh as their offensive coordinator, so he has knowledge of what it takes to win in the AFC North.
Keep an eye on the Browns this season, they just might have something special brewing in Cleveland, the changes in the front office, coaching staff, and their roster are why the Browns could make the playoffs in 2018.
*All statistics and Information used in this piece came from www.pro-football-reference.com*
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I think you’re spot on.
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