What are the positions the Cleveland Browns have to upgrade this offseason?

The Cleveland Browns have some pretty sizeable holes to worry about.

Free agency is right around the corner, the NFL Draft isn’t too far away. Not only that but the XFL and USFL will be heavily scouted. The Cleveland Browns will have no excuses to not make attempts to improve their team. Sure, they won’t be able to go out and spend huge money on a dozen free agents, but they can be clever. They can find some low-cost guys from the under-leagues while drafting smart, and signing or trading for one or two major names.

It wouldn’t be the NFL equivalent of the Dream Team, but it can still be much improved in 2022. The question is, what positions need help? The Browns are not a team that can just pretend they’re all set at a lot of positions, they have to make a concerted effort to improve several spots.

While one of the ways to go about this is to cut costs here and there and reinvest them in other spots on the team, by cutting costs they also up how many spots they need to fill. While John Johnson III was not a Pro Bowler by any means, the Browns now have to replace him on top of filling other holes.

The Cleveland Browns have many holes to fill

Offensive Line

The Cleveland Browns will need at least one new center, as it’s unlikely Ethan Pocic returns to the team, though there are reports that say of all the free agents, he could be the most likely of all the free agents to return. The team will also need some depth at tackle and maybe a young guard to groom.

Wide Receiver/ Tight End

The Browns are deep at the receiver position, but they are not deep with talent. The Browns need at least one impact receiver on par, if not better than Amari Cooper, and another guy who can come in and stretch the field like Anthony Schwartz was supposed to do. The Browns will also do wise to have a third tight end enter the fray who can actually catch.

Quarterback

The Browns did very well with Jacoby Brissett under center and he was a prime backup for the team but he’ll likely be on to greener (money) pastures in 2023, meaning the Browns will need another backup. As Deshuan Watson’s legal proceedings play out and his knees continue to age under two ACL surgeries, having a backup who can play three, four, or more games per year is imperative.

Defensive Line

The Browns need to cut every defensive tackle they have, save for maybe Taven Bryan, and sign or draft three new names to the unit. They could also use two defensive ends, but not necessarily to start. While Myles Garrett is entrenched at one spot, the feeling is that Chase Winovich may be able to step up and provide some relief.

Linebacker

The Browns have to re-sign just about every starter they have and may have to cut every backup they have. This is not a unit with measured talent. It’s either very good or very not.

Secondary

Two cornerbacks and three safeties will be needed to fill things out. The Browns don’t need starters at corner, luckily, but they’ll need a dime corner and a backup who can hang. At safety, the Browns will need two starters, presumably, and a reliable backup.

So needless to say the Browns have a lot of holes to plug this offseason.