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Cleveland Browns: Still ranked as worst team in the NFL?

By Ryan Rosko

Apr 28, 2017; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns first round picks, defensive lineman Myles Garrett , left, defensive back Jabrill Peppers , center and tight end David Njoku talk to the media at the Cleveland Browns training facility. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2017; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns first round picks, defensive lineman Myles Garrett , left, defensive back Jabrill Peppers , center and tight end David Njoku talk to the media at the Cleveland Browns training facility. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Now that the 2017 NFL Draft is over, who is viewed as the worst team in the NFL? Is it still the Cleveland Browns?

There is that popular offseason saying “Who won the draft”? Following each draft, immediate reactions are provided. However, just because a team excels during the drafting process does not mean they will achieve success in the fall. The Cleveland Browns are unfortunately a great example of that.

In recent drafts, including the one that just ended has shown the Browns getting back to the right direction. Although wins have not happened, they have done well in recent drafts and the wins should start happening now starting this fall.

Not only did the Browns fill holes during the draft, but they also added more draft capital for next offseason. So, given what Cleveland achieved, are they still ranked as the worst team in the NFL?

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According to NFL media analyst Elliott Harrison’s post-draft power rankings, Cleveland is not at the bottom anymore. Yet, the Browns are still in the 30s, 31 to be exact. The team that is now owning the 32nd spot is the New York Jets.

Despite adding the top player in the draft in EDGE Myles Garrett and adding a dynamic tight end in David Njoku (among others), not much support was given to Cleveland.

Following the draft, such rankings should not have had Cleveland ranked in the top 20 or anything, but a case could be made for them to be listed around 25. Such listing did not happen and that is surprising, especially seeing where other teams were ranked.

The Cincinnati Bengals at 25, Buffalo Bills at 27, Chicago Bears at 29, and the San Francisco 49ers at 30 all could and probably should be ranked lower than Cleveland.

The Bengals made multiple head-scratching, risk-taking moves during the draft, not to mention they lost key members to their team in free agency who were not really replaced. Meanwhile, Buffalo is seeking a new general manager and appears to be destined for a long-term rebuild.

Chicago shocked many by trading up and selecting quarterback Mitchell Trubisky second overall and there is a lot of dysfunction surround the team at the moment. Yes, San Fran did well during the draft as they drafted great players at value spots and acquired draft capital for next year.

On the other hand, look at their roster. They have more holes and question marks than what the Browns are currently dealing with. At least Cleveland is moving up in polls like these. Progress is progress, regardless of how one spins it.

Next: 3 UDFA signees that should make the Browns


Perhaps by the time he regular season comes around, Cleveland is viewed as a team in the mid 20s. Of course that is not where they want to be long-term, but it is a process. Being ranked there though would be another good step in the right direction.

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