To say it has been a tumultuous offseason for the Cleveland Browns could be an understatement, as weird as that sounds. They went from buying and selling for Deshaun Watson to backing out, and shedding Baker Mayfield within the interim, which precipitated them to go commerce for Watson ultimately.
However NFL picks for the Browns are onerous to gauge as a result of the standing of Watson’s season is unknown. He has been sued 25 occasions for alleged sexual abuse and different expenses throughout massages. One case was thrown out and 20 had been settled together with his lawyer saying the opposite 4 will go to trial.
The Nationwide Soccer League has been investigating independently and can make a willpower on a possible suspension within the coming days. It’s their very own proper as a personal group, whatever the final result.
QB choices
NFL predictions are everywhere with the Browns. What number of video games are you able to put together for Watson to play? Mayfield has made it clear he has parted methods with the Browns, not less than in his thoughts and would wish some wooing to return. Even when Watson is eligible to play, what is going to it seem like after sitting out final season with the Houston Texans?
It’s doubtless he misses video games with the NFL requesting an indefinite suspension, which who is aware of how that might end up? However there are nonetheless choices on the roster.
Jacoby Brissett has 37 begins in 60 video games over his six yr profession. Most of these got here with the Indianapolis Colts, although he performed final season with the Miami Dolphins and crammed in for Tua Tagovailoa now and again. In his two seasons as a full time starter with the Colts he threw for 31 touchdowns to 13 interceptions with a mean of three,000 yards per season.
The opposite possibility is Joshua Dobbs, longtime backup of Ben Roethlisberger in Pittsburgh. He has 17 profession cross makes an attempt in six video games with the final coming in 2020.
Playoff potential
The Browns are constructed for the playoffs if they will reply probably the most important place on the crew. NFL skilled picks had been excessive on the Browns till June when extra information concerning Watson was popping out about him probably lacking time.
Defensively, Myles Garrett and Jadaveon Clowney, who re-signed with the crew in free company, present a dominant cross rush and can create alternatives for a proficient secondary to make performs.
The talent positions are robust, including Amari Cooper through commerce with the Dallas Cowboys. Donovon Peoples-Jones got here on robust final season and including David Bell, one of many prime large receivers within the Huge Ten out of Purdue, offers loads of weapons for whoever steps in below heart. Which is one other scenario that shall be a cushty space to lean on: the run sport.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski likes to run the ball and has nice schemes. He has an excellent working again tandem to do this, too. Nick Chubb has three straight seasons of 1,000 yards and all 4 years of his profession he’s rushed for eight touchdowns. Kareem Hunt has been extra of the cross catching again, however he did rush for 841 yards in 16 video games because the reserve in 2020. He solely performed eight video games in every of 2019 and 2021. D’Ernest Johnson is one other risk.
Season outlook
With crossover video games towards the NFC South, the Browns ought to be capable to safe three wins not less than, plus they get the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at house in late November. Then the Washington Commanders are a crossover sport. Away video games towards Miami and Buffalo in again to again weeks in November is the hardest street exams outdoors of the division.
Talking of which, the AFC North shall be up for grabs once more with the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals, who represented the convention within the Tremendous Bowl final yr, having break up Tremendous Bowl odds barely forward of the Browns. Although previous to the Watson information the Browns had been effectively forward of their divisional counterparts.
October showdown
If it’s a mid season suspension for Watson, the Browns host the New England Patriots on October 16, which might be sufficient time for the Pats to scheme a sport plan for whoever they’re going through, particularly with Invoice Belichick nonetheless sporting the headset.