Cleveland was surprisingly competitive in the league's toughest division in 2014, but as the season wore on they fell further and further behind. While the other three teams in the AFC North had quietly productive offseasons, the Browns made sweeping changes. They appeared to improve in the draft, at very least. Bringing in Danny Shelton was a smart move that should bolster a struggling run defense.
Josh McCown will start at the quarterback position somewhat out of a necessity with Johnny Manziel readjusting to the NFL. McCown is 36 years old and he won't have the use of the suspended Josh Gordon this season. Dwayne Bowe and Brian Hartline will have to make do at wide receiver. Whether those guys can be a potent combination for McCown could be a big factor in the Browns' success.
Key Players
Travis Benjamin, WR
The Browns have had the deep threat they've been looking for all along.
Karlos Dansby, LB
He is far from the flashiest linebacker in the league, but he remains one of the best. Dansby has accumulated at least 90 tackles for eight consecutive seasons, and is showing little sign of wearing down as he reaches his mid 30s. He's only made the playoffs once in his career, and that's a shame.
