Cleveland Browns 2023-24 Season Guidebook

​While the summer season brings much enjoyment to the average person, for an NFL fan, it represents a desolate wasteland where Sundays just aren't quite as vibrant as in the autumn months.  However, with each passing day, we inch closer to the beginning of the 2023 NFL season, which officially kicks off on September 7 this year.

Whether you've had your favorite team's tweet notifications turned on all summer or if you've decided to tune out all football news entirely, you'll be able to learn everything you need to know about your team going into the 2023-24 season right here.
 
In today's article, I'll be discussing the Cleveland Browns.

I wrote a guidebook for every team in the NFL heading into the 2023 season.  To check out an article for another team, click the link below:
https://www.bucketsquadsportsreports.com/nfl

2022 Season Recap

Cleveland took a slight step back in 2022 as they spent a majority of the season playing with a backup quarterback while Deshaun Watson served an 11-game suspension.  The Browns finished last in the AFC North and missed the postseason for the second straight year.  Unfortunately, the bottom half of the division is a place Cleveland has grown to become used to.  Their last season finishing above 3rd place in the North was 2007.
 
The Browns finished slightly worse than average in both scoring offense and scoring defense in 2022.  They were an elite rushing team with Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, and surprisingly good against the pass defensively.  However, their passing game and run defense left a lot to be desired.  Cleveland won half their games when Watson took over the offense, though that was largely because of their defensive performances.  With their franchise quarterback’s off-the-field controversies in the rear view mirror, the Browns hope to find their way back into playoff contention in 2023.
 
Significant Roster Moves

There were lots of moving pieces all over the field on both sides of the ball over the offseason.  You’ll see a bunch of big names in both the Additions and Losses columns above.  Jacoby Brissett, Jadeveon Clowney, Kareem Hunt, and Greedy Williams to name a few of the departures.  Due to relatively small amount of draft picks, they signed a bevy of guys in the offseason to fill in the depth chart.  Elijah Moore, Za’Darius Smith, Juan Thornhill, and Dalvin Tomlinson should make the biggest splashes as starters heading into the season.
 
2023 Draft Class

As I mentioned above, Cleveland’s trade for Watson with Houston a couple years ago caused them to lose their first and second round picks in the 2023 draft.  Their first selection, receiver Cedric Tillman, is an impressive physical wideout with really good hands who could end up having a huge impact with the Browns.  The remainder of their picks are primarily going to begin their careers as backups, adding much needed depth to various positions on both sides of the ball.
 
The Browns selected QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson from UCLA in the 5th round, who will likely be a long-term project for Kevin Stefanski and the offense.  However, he’s already impressed in preseason and has worked his way into 2nd on the depth chart heading into the regular season.
 
Season Schedule

The Browns will take on the AFC South and the NFC West in 2023 to go along with their six divisional games.  Their other three opponents are the Denver Broncos, Chicago Bears, and New York Jets.  With an opponent prior season win percentage of .460, Cincinnati has the 7th easiest schedule in the NFL.

Cleveland’s primetime games include a Thursday night game versus the New York Jets and a Monday night game at Pittsburgh.
 
Depth Charts

Offense

Defense

Special Teams

The Browns return 18 of their 22 offensive and defensive starters from last year, which is on the higher end of teams across the league.  The only position group that remains completely unchanged in terms of starters is the offensive line.  Their experience should propel Cleveland back into the top of the league as a rushing unit.  With Watson getting a full season and offseason in the Cleveland under his belt, expectations are high for the offense entering 2023.
 
The defense is largely the same, with a few pieces rearranged here and there.  Za’Darius Smith on the edge opposite Myles Garrett is a terrifying thought for opposing quarterbacks, and the secondary looks to be set up for another successful season as well.  This Browns team has the potential to be scary on the defensive side of the ball especially.
 
Coaching Staff

Kevin Stefanski enters his 4th season as head coach of the Browns.  Offensive Coordinator Alex Van Pelt returns with Stefanski for his third year in Cleveland.  Jim Schwartz joins the staff as Defensive Coordinator after a brief stint as a senior defensive assistant in Tennessee, while Bubba Ventrone becomes the team’s Special Teams Coordinator following five seasons at the same position in Indianapolis.
 
Betting Odds

Oddsmakers have set the regular season win total for Cleveland at 9.5 games.  As of right now, the Browns are the 3rd most likely team to win the AFC North and tied for the 9th most likely team to win the AFC.  At +3500 to win Super Bowl LVIII, they are tied for 15th among all teams in the league.
 
Bucket Squad Predictions

Bucket Squad Sports Reports predicts the Browns to finish 8-9 in 2023 for 3rd in the AFC North and 10th in the AFC.  They will unfortunately miss out on the playoffs this season.

What do you think?  Will Cleveland be better or worse than I'm projecting?  What offseason moves made by the Browns surprised you the most?  Leave a comment down below and be sure to check the "NFL" section of the website for more NFL team guidebooks as I finish them.

Written by Nick Swatson