'24 Preview: Cleveland Browns
All Access Football previews the 2024 Cleveland Browns. All Access. All Football. All The Time.
Volume XXIV Edition XXXIV | 2024 Preview: Cleveland Browns
AFC NORTH || 2023 Record: 11-6 || AAF Preseason Power Ranking: 17
Team Brass
Owner: Jimmy Haslam || General Manager: Andrew Berry || Head Coach: Kevin Stefanski || Offensive Coordinator: Ken Dorsey || Defensive Coordinator: Jim Schwartz || Special Teams: Raymond Ventrone
2024 NFLPA Report Card || Overall Ranking (23 of 32)
Offense Rankings
Total Offense: 335.9 (16th) || Passing: 217.2 (19th) || Rushing: 118.6 (12th) || Points: 28.3 (10th) || Sacked: 45 (21st) || 3rd Down: 31.6% (29th)
Defense Rankings
Total Defense: 270.2 (1st) || Passing: 164.7 (1st) || Rushing: 105.5 (11th) || Points Allowed: 21.3 (T-13th) || Sacks: 49 (6th) || Turnover Differential: -9 (T-25th)
Top 10 Franchise Players
DE Myles Garrett (photo credit: Cleveland Browns)
RB Nick Chubb
WR Amari Cooper
OG Joel Bitonio
CB Denzel Ward
TE David Njoku
OT Dawand Jones
WR Jerry Jeudy
OT Jack Conklin
LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
Key Additions
QB Tyler Huntley (Ravens) || QB Jameis Winston (Saints) || RB D’Onta Foreman (Bears) || WR Jerry Jeudy (Broncos) || DE Quinton Jefferson (Jets) || LB Jordan Hicks (Vikings) || LB Devin Bush (Seahawks)
Key Losses
QB Joe Flacco (Colts) || QB P.J. Walker (Seahawks) || TE Harrison Bryant (Raiders) || OT Geron Christian (Titans) || C Nick Harris (Seahawks) || DT Jordan Elliott (49ers) || RB Kareem Hunt || LB Sione Takitaki (Patriots) || LB Anthony Walker (Dolphins) || CB Mike Ford Jr (Texans)
Breakout Players
RB Jerome Ford - One of the pleasant surprises on offense was the do-it-all Ford, who stepped in admirably when called upon. His consistency to pound the rock between the tackles and catch the ball out of the backfield provides Cleveland with a great insurance policy at running back. A gruesome knee injury suffered by Nick Chubb early last season makes Ford one of the most valuable backups in the league.
DE Alex Wright - Viewed as a developmental project coming out of UAB, the lengthy and athletic Wright displayed flashes of pass-rush ability, registering five sacks in his second season. With another year in the system, along with a deeper defensive line, look for him to be used even more effectively this upcoming season.
CB Martin Emerson - The maturation of Emerson will see him graduate to full-time starter in year three. He shows a true nose for the ball, as evidenced by his 14 pass deflections and four interceptions a year ago. He’s also a willing
2024 NFL Draft Class
Building from the inside-out seemed to the be the main strategy Cleveland employed with defensive tackles Mike Hall Jr. taken with the first pick and Jowon Briggs chosen with the last pick used. The selection of Zak Zinter at No.85 indicates strong value, as he stands a good chance to develop into a starter. Just two of their six selections came on offense and just one skill position player. Initial Overall Rookie Assessment: Medium Level Impact
Rd.2 No.54 - DT Mike Hall Jr., Ohio State (photo credit: Cleveland Browns)
Rd.3 No.85 - OG Zak Zinter, Michigan
Rd.5 No.156 - WR Jamari Thrash, Louisville
Rd.6 No.206 - LB Nathaniel Watson, Mississippi State
Rd.7 No.227 - CB Myles Harden, South Dakota
Rd.7 No.243 - DT Jowon Briggs, Cincinnati
UDFA Watch
TE Treyton Welch, Wyoming
OG Javion Cohen, Miami
LB Winston Reid, Weber State
Top 10 Players Under 25
LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (24)
OT Dawand Jones (22)
CB Greg Newsome II (24)
DT Mike Hall Jr. (21)
CB Martin Emerson Jr. (23)
DE Alex Wright (23)
QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson (24)
K Cade York (23)
OG Zak Zinter (23)
WR David Bell (23)
Prediction
Vegas O/U Win Total: 8.5 - Cleveland could cook if they get in the dance, 9-8.