If you ask the fine folks at Pro Football Focus, things are on the upswing for the Cleveland Browns. PFF ranked all 32 rosters in the NFL, and the Browns came in at No. 14 overall despite not having the necessary piece at quarterback. Here are some notes on what PFF said about the Browns:
- Their roster ranking increased from No. 24 in 2014 to No. 14 in 2015.
- The Top 5 players on the Browns' roster are LT Joe Thomas, LG Joel Bitonio, C Alex Mack, SS Donte Whitner, and ILB Karlos Dansby.
- Which starting positions could use an upgrade? ILB Craig Robertson, TE Gary Barnidge, TE Rob Housler, QB Josh McCown, and RB Terrance West. It's a little surprising to see Robertson up there, given how much he stepped up at the end of last season. The other positions are understandable -- the Browns basically ignored tight end in light of TE Jordan Cameron's departure, McCown has admitted he's not really a difference maker, and we don't know who the team's featured running back will be.
- Speaking on the Browns' quarterback situation, PFF said, "The Browns have a good roster overall, but they are brought down in these rankings because they are in quarterback purgatory -- with no end in sight.Johnny Manziel was a disaster as a rookie, making McCown the team's new beacon of hope. The Browns are banking on the return of McCown's magical 2013 season with the Bears, which is looking more and more like a fluke."
- PFF really likes how Cleveland is built in the trenches on both sides of the ball, but has question marks for the skill positions on offense since Cameron and WR Josh Gordon are gone.
PFF is very high on the AFC North in general. Cleveland is actually ranked last in the division, with the Ravens at No. 3, Bengals at No. 9, and Steelers at No. 12.