Cleveland Browns Roster
- AFC North
- Stadium
- FirstEnergy Stadium
- Head Coach
- Kevin Stefanski
- Offensive Coordinator
- Alex Van Pelt
- Defensive Coordinator
- Joe Woods
- Special Teams Coach
- Mike Priefer
- Defensive Scheme
- 4-3
Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward faced a high target rate of 22.4 percent in 2019, and on top of that he posted a coverage success rate of 61 percent and had a ballhawk rate of 14.3 percent, all while operating in a tight-window rate of 28.6 percent. His 77 targets accounted for nearly a quarter of his coverage snaps, so not only are opposing quarterbacks throwing his way, but Ward is shutting most of those targets down. If the 23-year-old former fourth overall pick can stay healthy -- he's played in just 25 games in his first two seasons -- he could break out in 2020 for a Browns Defense that could become streamable at some point during the year.
Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt has been impressed by quarterback Baker Mayfield's leadership during the offseason virtual program. Hes done everything Id expect from him as a starting quarterback," Van Pelt said. Mayfield also hosted a throwing session for around nine teammates in Austin, Texas. Van Pelt said that Mayfield has quickly grasped the new offense and is making strides with new West Coast footwork. Van Pelt has Mayfield leading with his left foot in the shotgun and is streamlining his footwork under center. He's also removing a big stagger step from his dropbacks. Mayfield was talked up prior to the 2019 season, too, and he disappointed in his second season. But the third-year signal-caller does have everything in place for a rebound and is in an offense that should cater more to his strengths, making him a value QB2 with upside for QB1 status by season's end.
Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt has been impressed by star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. this offseason. In a press conference with reporters on Wednesday, Van Pelt said that OBJ is "all in" and has been a "model guy" during the team's virtual offseason program. Drama tends to follow Beckham wherever he goes, so it is good news that he is getting along well with his new offensive coordinator. Beckham struggled in 2019, his first season with the Browns. He dealt with an injury during training camp and had a hard time developing chemistry with quarterback Baker Mayfield. Beckham is still rehabbing after having core muscle surgery back in January but is fully expected to be ready for the start of the 2020 season. He can be treated as an upside WR2 in fantasy drafts this summer.
Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt told reporters on Wednesday that he expects a big bounce-back season from tight end David Njoku in 2020. Van Pelt elaborated by stating that Njoku has been great during meetings in the team's virtual program this offseason. Njoku fell out of favor with former head coach Freddie Kitchens in 2019 while also missing most of the season with a fractured wrist. The athletic tight end has also struggled with inconsistency and drops during his three-year career but he can still be a difference-maker at the position if he's able to put it all together. That being said, he will have to fight for targets in a crowded tight end corps that includes top free-agent signing Austin Hooper.
Cleveland Browns defensive end Adrian Clayborn had more sacks in one game in 2017 with the Falcons than he did in all of last year (four), but he was still very effective and made the most of his pass-rushing opportunities (282) in 2019. Clayborn tallied 35 quarterback pressures on his 282 chances, and he added 24 hurries for a disruption rate of 14.5 percent and a sack rate of 1.4 percent. Entering his age-32 season, Clayborn has never had a double-digit sack season (career high of 9.5 in 2017) and recorded only 18 combined tackles in 15 games (one start) last year. He's a situational pass-rusher who could become more effective working alongside Myles Garrett, but Clayborn can be ignored in IDP leagues.