If we asked you what is the greatest strength for the Cleveland Browns, what would you say?
After the Browns revamped the offense this offseason, you would probably say the offense.
According to senior writer Chris Wesseling of NFL.com, the Browns have the No. 7 ranked offense going into the 2020 season.
Outside the top five, Wesseling did not go into detail; but he gave the positions grades.
Let’s take a look at the grades for the current depth chart at offense.
Quarterback Rating
The Browns will carry three quarterbacks on the roster which include Baker Mayfield, Case Keenum, and Garrett Gilbert.
Wesseling gave the Browns a “B-” here.
A lot of that has to probably do with Mayfield’s down year.
To be frank, he could have given Mayfield a much lower grade.
Last season, Mayfield had the second-worst quarterback ranking in all of football.
However, the Browns brought in a capable backup in Keenum that has success in the regular season and playoffs.
If Mayfield struggles, Keenum can step in at any time.
Baker Mayfield has the lowest passer rating in the NFL when not under pressure this season per @NextGenStats. He is the only QB with more INT than TD passes when not pressured. pic.twitter.com/OuFERsVDzm
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) November 5, 2019
Running Back Rating
This position is tied for the best rating with an “A.”
In the backfield, the Browns have Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, D’Ernest Johnson, Andy Janovich, and Dontrell Hilliard.
The top two backs certainly will receive a lot of respect from opposing teams.
Chubb is coming off a 2019 season where he was runner-up in rushing yards, while Hunt is the former rushing leader in 2017.
Janovich is a newcomer at fullback after being traded by the Broncos and should provide help at blocking.
Nick Chubb hit a staggering 21.95 MPH against the Ravens 😱#nextgenstats shows us how he’s the fastest man in the NFL.
Next Gen Stats, powered by @awscloud pic.twitter.com/WBCZmQfcTV
— Sunday Night Football (@SNFonNBC) September 30, 2019
Receiving Corps Rating
This is by far the most talented group of receivers and tight ends that fans can remember, so it’s no surprise that this grade is an “A.”
Odell Beckham Jr and Jarvis Landry are coming off 1,000-yard seasons.
Austin Hooper has Pro Bowl talent and became the highest-paid tight end in all of football.
Njoku showed promise in 2018 with 639 receiving yards before an injury hampered his 2019 season.
As for the rest, Rashard Higgins is back and healthy and should contend for the team’s No. 3 receiver position.
Harrison Bryant led all tight ends in receiving yards and was an All-American, while Donovan Peoples-Jones has potential as a deep threat/return specialist.
FWIW, my Pre-Combine Model (his Combine was really bad) absolutely LOVED Harrison Bryant. As a small-school prospect, he was on Dallas Goedert’s level
He popped in all of the stats that matter most for projecting NCAA TEs (outside of Speed Score) pic.twitter.com/T3xWM0Jo7F
— Scott Barrett (@ScottBarrettDFB) April 25, 2020
Offensive Line Rating
Chubb did most of his work on the ground with an average offensive line.
The Browns did their best to revamp the position.
Wesseling gave the Browns offensive line at “B-” rating.
The main cogs include Jedrick Willis Jr., Joel Bitonio, JC Tretter, Wyatt Teller, Jack Conklin, Chris Hubbard, Kendall Lamm, and Nick Harris.
Wills will be an immediate impact player after being drafted with the No. 10 overall pick.
Bitonio is coming off a season where he made the Pro Bowl, while Conklin has Pro Bowl talent if he can stay healthy.
19 stats plus projected contract at RT
Bryan Bulaga 898 snaps 4 sacks 4 hits 18 hurries 6 penalties
4 years 36 millChris Hubbard 891 snaps 6 sacks 3 hits 29 hurries 8 penalties
3 years 19.95 millJack Conklin 933 snaps 4 sacks 4 hits 22 hurries 7 penalties
5 years 70 mill— ChadP71 @BrownsAccess (@chadp71) February 24, 2020
Outside of those three, who is going to step up?
We don’t know that answer, which surely contributed to the lower rating.
The Top 5
The following teams made up Wesseling’s top five for best offenses in the league:
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Baltimore Ravens
- New Orleans Saints
- Dallas Cowboys
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
