Going in to last year the Cleveland Browns had something they have not had in the living memory of most fans- expectations. Unsurprisingly, rookie head coach Freddie Kitchens failed to create cohesion between all the new pieces and the Browns stumbled to a 6-10 season. The bright side? The 10th overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft, which is loaded with one of their biggest needs at the top.

To add to that, new general manager Andrew Berry was aggressive in free agency. Berry targeted three major pieces for coach Kevin Stefanski‘s wide zone offensive scheme, and reeled them in. Some of the moves that flew under the radar will help establish depth. Lack of talent behind the starting group was the teams biggest personnel issue last year. How will the new scheme and stars effect your fantasy team? Belly Up Fantasy Sports is back with pre-draft analysis of the Cleveland Browns.

Traded/Released by the organization:

LB Joe Schobert
S Eric Murray
LB Christian Kirksey
S Juston Burris
TE Demetrius Harris
S Damarious Randall
G Justin McCray
CB T.J. Carrie
G Eric Kush
TE Ricky Seals-Jones
LT Greg Robinson
S Morgan Burnett
WR Rashard Higgins

Acquired/Signed by the organization:

RT Jack Conklin
TE Austin Hooper
QB Case Keenum
DE Adrian Clayborn
FB Andy Janovich
DT Andrew Billings
CB Kevin Johnson
S Karl Joseph
LB B.J. Goodson
S Andrew Sendejo

Draft needs:

The Browns answered a lot of questions through free agency. Another happened through a trade. The Browns sent their 2021 seventh round pick to the Denver for fullback Andy Janovich. That might not be a big splash based on face value, but Stefanski’s offense needs a reliable fullback to operate properly. The Browns likely would have spent a later-round pick on one if the trade for Janovich had not gone through.

Adding Conklin on the right side his a boon for the Browns, but left tackle remains the black hole it has been since the retirement of franchise legend Joe Thomas. Hooper and David Njoku, assuming last year was a blip cause by clashes with the coaching staff, makes a solid duo at tight end. Behind them, though, is a bit of a void.

With everyone focused on left tackle, the Browns have some sneakier needs heading into this draft. Safety Sheldrick Redwine has shown some promise, but needs some time to develop. Karl Joseph could prove to be a steal if he maximizes the potential that made him a first round pick, but he hasn’t done that yet. There is no true “center fielder” type free safety on the roster. Mack Wilson showed major promise in year one, but grouping him with Goodson and barely seen Sione Takitaki doesn’t make a corps I am comfortable with.

Fantasy Implications:

The Browns list of potential targets in the 2020 NFL draft lie mostly outside the world of fantasy. Coach Stefanski ran an offense in Minnesota last year that almost exclusively featured two wide receiver sets. The Browns might find themselves in a position to find depth at the position because of value, but outside that not many weapons will be taken. Left tackle, free safety, and linebacker will be the players at the top of the Browns board tomorrow night.

That said, if the new front office successfully staffs the team with the personnel they need, Stefanski could bring the Browns we thought we’d see in 2019. There will likely be some growing pains like there were last year in Minnesota, though. If the Browns struggle out of the gate, they could be buy low targets. Whether you want to gamble that Stefanski can finally be the one to right the ship is the question.

Quarterback:

The performance of Baker Mayfield will no doubt determine the Browns fantasy success overall this year. A lot more of Mayfield’s struggles can be tied to scheme and poor offense play than most talking heads would lead you to believe. The hope is Stefanski and an improved line can let Baker make plays instead of run for his life. Keenum is a solid backup in case of injury. He enjoyed his most successful season with Stefanski as the quarterbackss coach in Minnesota.

Running Back:

Nick Chubb looks to right the wrong Kitchens gave him on his way out the door last season. With the season lost, Chubb got only 13 carries in Week 17, allowing him to fall short of Derrick Henry for the rushing title. A full season of Chubb and Kareem Hunt in the scheme Dalvin Cook was in last year should be explosive. I’m not worried about both of them having enough touches to be RB1s.

Wide Receiver:

A lot of this will depend on Baker. Obviously, the talent is there. Jarvis Landry‘s offseason surgery is a little concerning. He or Odell Beckham, Jr. missing time doesn’t currently yield an obvious fantasy standout as there isn’t much depth. Hooper and Njoku are attractive as hell in this scheme, too.

Conclusion:

Chubb and Hunt are locks to be top performers if healthy. Even if the offense struggles they will get touches galore in Stefanski’s scheme. Whether Mayfield, Beckham, Landry, Hooper and Njoku can gel and produce is the biggest question facing the Browns players. Beckham feels like too much of a gamble for how early his name will likely make him go in redraft leagues. In any case, if they are all bottom dwellers come Week 3 or 4, check into the offense. If it’s showing signs of being about to work out the kinks the way the Vikings did last year, buy low.

Next up, we head to the east side of Lake Erie as I see what the hated Pittsburgh Steelers did this offseason. Stay tuned to Belly Up Fantasy Sports for my 2020 NFL Draft analysis. Follow me on Twitter to find out as soon as it drops. Check out Nate Herman‘s analysis of the NFC East and some other great articles at Belly Up Sports while you wait!