The Dawg Pound and the rest of Northern Ohio aren’t the only folks raving about the Cleveland Browns.
Lots of analysts and commentators are sharing the love after the recent NFL Draft.
Cleveland’s free agency haul didn’t hurt, either.
CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco is among the latest to jump on board the Browns’ wagon.
Post-Draft NFL Power Rankings via @PriscoCBS!
Thoughts 🤔 pic.twitter.com/jgHvz8xJUV
— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) May 6, 2021
Prisco’s latest NFL Power Ranking includes a lot of shifting teams, including the Cleveland Browns.
Cleveland jumped 5 spots to the Number 5 overall ranking after the NFL Draft.
Prisco acknowledged the Browns rapid rise might surprise some, but said:
“I think the Browns have had a good offseason and a nice draft, adding to a team that played the Chiefs close in the playoffs last January.”
In another blurb, Prisco raved about the Browns’ talented roster, improved by the draft.
He tells readers the Browns will be better with contributions from players returning from injury.
The Browns got zero snaps from 2019 2nd-round pick Greedy Williams and 2020 2nd-round pick Grant Delpit due to injury this past season. The duo could be a big boost to the Cleveland secondary in 2021.
— Mike Clay (@MikeClayNFL) February 9, 2021
He listed Odell Beckham Jr, Greedy Williams, and Grant Delpit as additional players who might help.
That indicates his 5th-highest ranking does not assume a full effort from any of the trio.
What About The Rest Of The Division?
Cleveland jumps ahead of the Baltimore Ravens on Prisco’s rating board.
Baltimore actually gained a spot, moving from No. 8 to 7th overall.
Prisco thinks the additions to the Ravens’ wide receiver room improves the team’s chances.
They also replaced the departed Orlando Brown with former Steeler Alejandro Villanueva this week.
Meanwhile, Pittsburgh fell 13 spots into the 20th overall position.
The Cleveland Browns will win the AFC North in 2021, pass it on #Browns pic.twitter.com/quYjp8aZ0r
— CleWest (@erjmanlasvegas) March 12, 2021
Questions about their offensive line and a second edge rusher contributed to their fall.
It also explains Myles Garrett‘s ever-present smile lately.
Prisco kept Cincinnati at 29th despite asserting they filled some holes in the draft and free agency.
Joe Burrows‘ recovery should not be a factor, but Prisco still thinks the Bengals are a year away from making some noise.
While Prisco is not the first analyst to predict a 2021 division title for Cleveland, Vegas still lists Baltimore as the favorite.
Who Else Is Ahead Of The Browns?
Tampa Bay managed to bring back all 22 starters from their Super Bowl Champion roster.
This allowed them to invest in the future and improve some depth in the draft.
Meanwhile, the Kansas City Chiefs might have 5 new starters on their offensive line.
Patrick Mahomes was harassed and hit mercilessly during the Super Bowl last year.
Rich has @mikethemiz on "Just Getting Started" this week, so that prompted us to talk some @Browns — are they primed for deep playoff… and dare we say, Super Bowl run in 2021?#NFL #NFLDraft #Browns @NathanZegura pic.twitter.com/gIVVIBAeyN
— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) May 7, 2021
But despite their makeover, Prisco says Tampa Bay is the team to beat again.
Buffalo jumped up a spot to No. 3 after adding some pass rushers in the NFL Draft.
The top NFC team is Green Bay, sitting at number 4.
This assumes Aaron Rodger remains their quarterback, otherwise, they could fall below the Steelers.
Cleveland plays the Chiefs and Packers this season, with both games on the road.
But they will have to wait until the postseason to take out Buffalo and Tampa Bay.
NEXT: 2 Browns Players Under The Most Pressure In 2021
