The Cleveland Browns need to overhaul their roster on offense, starting with 3 major areas
In the midst of a rebuild, the Cleveland Browns have their work cut out for them when it comes to one side of the ball. Defensively, the unit was elite. Offensively? Not so much. In terms of talent, the Browns offense has some form of it. Rookie running backs Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson have the potential to be a solid running back duo and rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr is a reliable option in the passing game. Those are the positives.
The negatives? The entire offensive line is aging, and four of the Cleveland starters will enter free agency. There is no clear WR1 in the room, and the team still doesn’t have an answer at quarterback. It’s clear that the Browns could have won a couple more games if the offense were competent.
Free agency and the draft will be approaching shortly, and we know how general manager Andrew Berry attacks the weaknesses on this team when they are prevalent.
These are the three areas in which the Browns need to improve their offense this offseason:
Offensive line
It starts with the trenches, and Cleveland has seen a bit of a decline in that area. The Browns offensive line started to decline towards the end of the 2023 season. Fast forward to now, the entire offensive line is likely going to have to replace most of the starters. Left guard Joel Bitonio is likely to retire, right guard Wyatt Teller and center Ethan Pocic are pending free agents. Right tackle Dawand Jones is recovering from season-ending surgery, so the entire offensive line is in flux.
Depending on how the market goes for offensive linemen, Berry is likely to seek options in free agency before choosing to see what route makes the most sense. Las Vegas Raiders left guard Jackson Powers Johnson has been the center of trade rumors, and while it’s a possibility he stays in Vegas, it’s also a possibility he’s dealt. Powers-Johnson could play either guard or center, but with Luke Wypler coming back, it’s likely he plays either guard position in Cleveland. The Browns could also bring back guard/tackle Teven Jenkins.
In terms of the draft, it’s not a strong tackle class, but Utah tackles Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu are options. Alabama tackle Kadyn Proctor should also be considered. As will Francis Mauigoa out of Miami(Fl). As far as the guards, Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane and Texas A&M Chase Bisontis are names to watch.
Quarterback
It’s 2026, and the Cleveland Browns still do not have a definitive answer at the quarterback position. Rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel is closer to a backup than a starter and rookie Shedeur Sanders is closer to a project than most want to admit. It’s possible that quarterback Deshaun Watson tries to become the starter in 2026 but it’s unlikely the team commits to Watson at this point.
As far as Sanders goes, his tape left you wanting more. Granted, the Browns offensive situation wasn’t ideal, but Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Cam Ward improved despite a poor offensive system. Due to Cleveland playing themselves out of a top 3 pick, it’s unlikely they will end up with Heisman winner and current Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Oregon quarterback Dante Moore has returned to school, while Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson has declared.
The veteran options aren’t the most inspiring, with the two best being San Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones and Green Bay Packers Malik Willis, but those two could command top dollar and/or trade compensation due to their play.
Wide Receiver
Berry took a gamble by not investing in the wide receiver room and banking on the room growing internally, but that backfired. Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy is a WR2 at this point in his career. Cedric Tillman has concerns when it comes to his durability, while rookie Isaiah Bond is a work in progress when it comes to his route-running ability. The wide receiver room needs to be overhauled.
Free agency options are slightly better than last year, but it’s not possible for the Browns to go that route and not overpay. Berry has made trades when it comes to the wide receiver room, trading for both Amari Cooper and Jerry Jeudy. Could Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown be available this offseason? The same can be said for Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.
Shifting to the NFL draft, the class is talented. Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate, USC Trojans Makai Lemon & Ja’Kobi Lane, and Washington Huskies Denzel Boston are the noticeable ones. Many mock drafts have the Browns selecting Tate at #6, but the Browns could end up with any receiver to improve the room.
Category: General Sports
