Cleveland Browns low on ESPN preseason Power Rankings

The Cleveland Browns’ offseason isn’t impressing many.

It seems having a limited budget has hindered the Cleveland Browns. The team has not been a huge player in free agency, getting two solid starters and a bunch of role-players in an attempt to remake the offense and defense going forward into 2023. The team has addressed positions of need, and the players they’ve gotten so far may end up producing, but many in the world of sports don’t seem to agree with the fanbase that these moves are much to get excited about.

ESPN has the Browns sitting at just No. 19 in their current Preseason Power Rankings and for good reason. The team is coming off back-to-back losing seasons, with injuries and suspensions the team’s then starting quarterbacks marring the season.

While the team does have some great assets that they can lean on, their offensive line and running game for starters, the team has not greatly improved key positions. The team may see several players leap up in production but likely what they saw in their last outings will be what you can expect from them in 2023.

This is partly why ESPN only listed the re-signing of Browns’ Ethan Pocic as a big move, as Jake Trotter writes;

"19. Cleveland BrownsWay-too-early ranking: 19Top under-the-radar move: Re-signing center Ethan PocicUpgrading the defense, specifically the defensive line, has been Cleveland’s chief priority this offseason. But bringing back Pocic could quietly prove to be the best move the Browns have made this offseason. Pocic took over the starting center job after projected starter Nick Harris suffered a season-ending knee injury in Cleveland’s preseason opener last year — and was dominant all season. He finished in the top five among centers in pass block and run block win rate, according to ESPN Analytics data. With him back, alongside Pro Bowl guards Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller, the Browns will boast one of the league’s top interior offensive lines once again. — Jake Trotter"

The Cleveland Browns are hoping for players to exceed expectations

It’s fair to say the Browns are banking on guys to unlock their potential. Guys like Juan Thornhill are barely upgrades over John Johnson III, at least historically. He may shine in the Browns’ new revamped defense, and that is entirely possible. Football is less about “talent” and more about how you fit in a scheme. Thornhill may turn into a Pro Bowler in Jim Schwartz’s defense, but he may not. Only time will tell.

The same is said for former New York Jets receiver, Elijah Moore. Moore was recently traded to the Browns for a second-round draft pick, but Moore has never broken 600-yard receiving, despite himself being a second-round pick. He’s also had issues with his play, as PFF notes his route running isn’t up to par. But the most damning aspect of Moore is his attitude, which got so bad that the Jets ended up trading him, despite his cheap contract and high ceiling.

He may turn into a Pro Bowler in Cleveland, but he also may find himself out of the rotation by Week 12. When talking about guys like Moore, you’re dealing with a high ceiling and a low floor. Usually, these moves don’t pan out, but Browns’ GM Andrew Berry wanted him in 2022, and probably in the 2021 NFL Draft.

So make of that as you will.