Ranking the Browns Needs by Position

6. Defensive End

The Browns had the worst run defense last season and the third worst this season. The team needs to do something to shake it up. Due to their contracts, veterans Randy Starks and Desmond Bryant may be cut. Armonty Bryant’s off the field problems have re-emerged and puts his future with the team in question. John Hughes just got a five year extension and the team traded up to select Xavier Cooper in this year’s draft. The Browns will need to look at other players to join them to improve the run stopping ability because you can’t be consistently that bad without doing something to improve it. The flexibility they have will allow them to improve.

5. Cornerback

Cleveland ranked in the bottom half in passing yards allowed and gave up the third most passing touchdowns this season. Most of the struggle came from Pro Bowl CB Joe Haden missing eleven games this season due to multiple concussions. After he went out, the rest of the team really struggled guarding opposing receivers. Tramon Williams was given seven million a year, but at 32 his age showed throughout the season. He did not have the speed to run with the younger more athletic guys and was routinely beat or caught for pass interferences. The Browns were left with other young corners K’Waun Williams, Pierre Desir, Justin Gilbert, and Charles Gaines whose inexperience really hurt them. Their techniques were beat and teams targeted the Browns corners. Not resigning Buster Skrine hurt the team much worse than they thought. They desperately need a number two corner to pair with Haden.

4. Safety

Following corner, the Browns need at safety is up there. The Browns have a Pro Bowl safety in Tashaun Gipson set to hit free agency. If the Browns let him walk, then there is a huge void in that cover safety in the middle of the field. Free safeties are extremely underrated in my mind. A lot of top defenses in NFL history have had one. You need a guy who can cover a lot of ground and force the QB to second guess throwing anywhere near his area. Hopefully the Browns won’t let him walk and then this need moves down to number twelve to get some depth. At the other safety position, Whitner will be turning 31. His prime years are behind him and he will need to be upgraded in the next couple of years.

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