2021 NFL Power Rankings: Cleveland Browns
Throughout the 2021 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.
Here is where the Cleveland Browns rank in terms of average, best and worst:
- Average ranking: 6.2 (6th)
- Best ranking: 3rd (USA Today)
- Worst ranking: 10th (The Athletic)
Below you will find a post-draft roundup for the Browns in our consensus 2021 NFL Power Rankings.
ESPN -- Rank: 7
Player who benefited most from draft: DE Myles Garrett
Too often last season, Garrett had to carry Cleveland's defense. That became too much after he caught COVID-19 and labored with his breathing even after returning. Garrett will have a lot more help moving forward, thanks in part to the draft. With their first two picks, the Browns nabbed cornerback Greg Newsome II and linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, players who weren't expected to last to Cleveland's first-round pick at No. 26, much less fall to the second round, as Owusu-Koramoah did. Adding that kind of talent should make life easier on Garrett, both this season and long term. -- Jake Trotter
Too often last season, Garrett had to carry Cleveland's defense. That became too much after he caught COVID-19 and labored with his breathing even after returning. Garrett will have a lot more help moving forward, thanks in part to the draft. With their first two picks, the Browns nabbed cornerback Greg Newsome II and linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, players who weren't expected to last to Cleveland's first-round pick at No. 26, much less fall to the second round, as Owusu-Koramoah did. Adding that kind of talent should make life easier on Garrett, both this season and long term. -- Jake Trotter
NFL.com -- Rank: 6
This is how far the Browns have come in a couple of years: By the middle of the draft, they were taking a swing tackle for offensive line depth. Yes, the Browns have built out one of the most impressively balanced rosters in football, and it allowed GM Andrew Berry and company to use the draft to zero in on specific areas of need. They did it, too -- fortifying the secondary with first-round pick Greg Newsome II (No. 26), then using their second-rounder to land inside linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (No. 52), a do-it-all defender widely seen as one of the draft's best bargains. Near the end of NFL Network's draft coverage, Daniel Jeremiah imagined the Browns as "a 13-4 type team." This is not a drill.
CBS Sports -- Rank: 10
Their roster is filled with talent, and they had a solid draft to add to it. If they get healthy seasons from Odell Beckham Jr., Greedy Williams and Grant Delpit, look out.
USA Today -- Rank: 5
They'd already knocked free agency out of the park, but over the past three weeks have signed pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney and probably got two more defensive starters -- CB Greg Newsome II (Round 1), LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (Round 2) -- atop the draft. They've got a legitimate shot to reach their first Super Bowl.
The Athletic -- Rank: 3
They are a great example of an organization that is able to effectively assess its strengths and weaknesses. The offense ranked ninth in efficiency last year, so the Browns decided to basically run it back. All 14 of the offensive players -- including the entire line -- who logged at least 300 snaps last season return. On defense, GM Andrew Berry added defensive backs John Johnson and Troy Hill, defensive linemen Jadeveon Clowney and Malik Jackson, and linebacker Anthony Walker.
The Browns spent first- and second-round picks on defensive players -- cornerback Greg Newsome II and hybrid defender Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. Their ceiling will depend on whether Baker Mayfield has another leap to make, but the Browns had a very good offseason and have a loaded roster.
The Browns spent first- and second-round picks on defensive players -- cornerback Greg Newsome II and hybrid defender Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. Their ceiling will depend on whether Baker Mayfield has another leap to make, but the Browns had a very good offseason and have a loaded roster.
More Cleveland Browns pages:
- Cleveland Browns Mock Draft Roundup
- Cleveland Browns Snap Counts
- Cleveland Browns Franchise Leaders
- Cleveland Browns Draft History
- Cleveland Browns Schedule
- Cleveland Browns Tickets
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