Ranking the Cleveland Browns biggest needs ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft

The Cleveland Browns have to fill a lot of holes in the draft.

The Cleveland Browns have some big needs they need to address this offseason. The team is not that talented and that’s no longer up for debate. The team has holes at literally every position. The team will likely need a new quarterback, maybe another running back, some help on the offensive line as players age out, a third tight end, and a few receivers, and that’s just on offense. The defense needs three new defensive line starters, a pass-rushing linebacker, another corner or two, and a starting safety.

So yes, this team is in shambles and needs more help than one draft can provide. That doesn’t even factor in the reality that the offense is getting overhauled in the offseason to be more pass-focused, and the defense may no longer have the right players to run the scheme of whichever defensive coordinator comes in.

So now you have not only holes due to a lack of talent, you’re about to get even more holes due to a lack of positional fit. This is where we have to ask the question; do we address the most important positions first, or do we address the positions that need the most help first?

While you may think those are the same thoughts, I promise you, they aren’t.

The Cleveland Browns need to focus on making the most out of their $240 million mistake

You can’t argue that Deshaun Watson sucked in 2022. You can make excuses for him all you want, sure, but the man who abused dozens of women couldn’t live up to his lofty expectations. You can come up with any and every excuse in the book to justify his rather pathetic play, but he was not good at the action he got.

He went 3-3, largely because of the defense, and in his one good outing against Washington, most of the damage was done by the receivers turning a short reception into a very long play.

It’s been bad, so how do you make sure 2023 goes differently? You give him all the tools he can needs. Let’s be honest, we all agree the defensive tackles are the positional group that needs the most talent injected into it, but we also have to acknowledge that the focus on the team in 2023 is going to be on the passing game.

So that means the position of need that has to be addressed first is at receiver. Then tight end. The team may lose Harrison Bryant after 2023 and they don’t have a third tight end as is. Nor is the one they just signed for a massive contract all that good. So securing that position is needed.

Then, after that, you may want to address the defensive tackle or the offensive line. You’re going to need a center, a left tackle, and more than likely a left guard this offseason alone. So while yes, the defensive tackle spot is the most in need, securing the pass blocking is the most important.

So if we had to rank them, and we promised you by the headline we would, this is how we see the top seven needs of the team heading into the draft.

1. Receiver
2. Guard/Center
3. Tight End
4. Left Tackle
5. Defensive Tackle
6. Safety
7. Running Back

You may not agree, but if the Browns are going to get the most out of their franchise quarterback, they have to prioritize getting him the assets needed to excel. That means prioritizing the positions that impact him the most, and not the positions that the team needs the most.