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2022 Browns Betting Preview: Picks And Predictions

Nick Galaida Sat 9/10 6:15pm PT

Branded as a Super Bowl contender during the preseason, the Cleveland Browns finished with an 8-9 regular season record, failing to make the playoffs in 2021. Baker Mayfield attempted to play through a plethora of injuries, which led to his most unproductive year as a professional. Odell Beckham Jr. was released mid-way through the campaign, only for him to flourish in a role for the eventual Super Bowl Champions.

The disappointing results last season contributed to a fractured relationship between Mayfield, the coaching staff, and the fans – ultimately leading to the controversial decision to acquire Deshaun Watson during the offseason.

Let’s take a look at the Browns roster for 2022 to see if they have an opportunity to make amends for coming up far short of expectations last fall.

Quarterback

Depth Chart: Deshaun Watson, Jacoby Brissett, Joshua Dobbs

In August, the NFL and the NFL Players Association reached a settlement on the Deshaun Watson matter, which resulted in the signal caller being suspended for the first 11 games of the 2022 schedule. Thus, Watson will not be available to make his Cleveland debut until Week 13, when the Browns face the Houston Texans. 

In his absence, Jacoby Brissett will be handed the keys to the offense. Of the 33 quarterbacks who attempted at least 200 passes last year, Brissett ranked 20th in QBR, 33rd in yards-per-attempt, and 31st in touchdowns per attempt, according to ESPN Stats and Information. Brissett ended the season with only five touchdowns against four interceptions, and won only two of the six games in which he attempted more than one pass. He profiles as a low-ceiling, low-floor option for the Browns under center to begin 2022.

Running Back

Depth Chart: Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, D’Ernest Johnson, Jerome Ford

If Cleveland hopes to have an opportunity to get to the postseason, they will need to rely extensively on their rushing attack to get there. Fortunately, they have one of the best running back rooms in the entire NFL, with Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, and D’Ernest Johnson.

In four seasons, Chubb has never recorded less than 996 rushing yards, averaged fewer than 5.0 yards-per-carry, or scored less than eight touchdowns. If there is any concern for Chubb, it is that he has missed seven games across the last two years, after not missing a single contest in his rookie and sophomore campaigns. 

Kareem Hunt was limited to only eight games in 2021, but was extremely effective when he was on the field – totaling 4.9 yards-per-carry, and adding another 174 yards as a receiver out of the backfield. Since coming to Cleveland in 2019, Hunt has consistently graded as one of the premier second-string running backs in the league.

Wide Receivers

Depth Chart: Amari Cooper, Donovan Peoples-Jones, David Bell, David Njoku

Looking to replace Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr., the front office made a splash during the offseason, acquiring Amari Cooper from the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for their 2022 fifth-round pick and a swapping of 2022 sixth-round picks. In seven seasons, the veteran wide receiver has totaled 7,076 receiving yards, 517 receptions, and 46 touchdowns. A strong route-runner, he has a high floor as the top-option in the Cleveland passing attack.

When all of the dust settled last year on the chaos that ensued in Cleveland, Donovan Peoples-Jones ended-up with the most receiving yards on the roster. He accumulated his 597 receiving yards in only 14 games, and on only 34 receptions. As the season progressed, he became more consistently involved in the offense, and was consequently targeted at least five times in six of his final seven games. His production could be limited with Brissett under center, but he has the talent to be a high-caliber player with a better quarterback throwing him the ball.

David Njoku has seemingly been in constant trade talks since training camp in 2019, but will nonetheless be on the Browns’ roster for his sixth consecutive season in 2022. Following years of debate about his role in the offense, Cleveland affirmed their commitment to him being a primary contributor going forward – handing him a four-year, $56.75 millon contract extension in the offseason. Still only 25 years old, it is likely that his most productive days are still ahead of him.

Offensive Line

Depth Chart: Jedrick Wills Jr., Joel Bitonio, Ethan Pocic, Wyatt Teller, Jack Conklin

The only thing stopping this unit from being elite is health. Last year, Jedrick Wills Jr. played only 763 snaps, and Jack Conklin played only 361 snaps. When on the field, there are few, if any, starting tackle tandems more reliable than Wills Jr. and Conklin. Joel Bitonio finished 2021 graded as the best guard in the league out of 82 qualified players. He is elite in both pass protection and as a run-blocker. Wyatt Teller struggled in his first two years, but has been nothing short of exceptional in his third and fourth seasons. Bitonio and Teller are unquestionably the best guard combination in the NFL. The only potential weak link for this group is Ethan Pocic, who is entering his sixth year out of LSU. Pocic was drafted in the second-round, but has yet to live up to lofty expectations. Pocic finally made notable strides as a run-blocker with the Seattle Seahawks in 2021, but remains woefully inadequate in pass protection.

Base 4-3 Defense

Defensive Line

Depth Chart: Myles Garrett, Jordan Elliot, Taven Bryan, Jadeveon Clowney

Myles Garrett is the best edge rusher in the NFL. Since entering the league as the top overall pick in the 2017 draft, Garrett has recorded double-digit sacks in each of the last four seasons, and finished 2021 as Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded edge defender. Yet, there is not much else to love about this Browns’ defensive line.

Jadaveon Clowney returns for his second year in Cleveland, but he is far removed from his prime. Clowney was near league average as both a pass-rusher and against the run in 2021, totaling nine shackles and 37 tackles. Jordan Elliott and Taven Bryan combine to form one of the worst interior defensive fronts in the league. Teams could run at will against the Browns this fall.

Linebackers

Depth Chart: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Anthony Walker, Sione Takitaki

The linebacker corps should be a unit of strength for this defense. Anthony Walker Jr. and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah combined for 189 tackles last season. Owusu-Koramoah graded as one of the best linebackers against the run in the entire league, per Pro Football Focus. Sione Takitaki lacks elite upside, but he has a safe floor and should be a solid contributor on this side of the ball.

Secondary

Depth Chart: Denzel Ward, Grant Delpit, John Johnson III, Greg Newsome II

Cleveland could be a no-fly-zone for opposing passing attacks in 2022, with one of the most stout collections of defensive backs in the league. Denzel Ward is appropriately paid as one of the highest-paid cornerbacks in the league as part of his five-year, $100.5 million contract. Greg Newsome II stepped in as a rookie and was outstanding in coverage. Grant Delpit struggled mightily to begin 2021, but displayed impressive growth during the final two months of the campaign. There are plenty of reasons to be optimistic that Delpit can emerge as one of the better safeties in football this fall. John Johnson III was drafted in the 3rd round out of Boston College in 2017, and has consistently produced at a high-level in his first five seasons. The Browns’ secondary unit has the potential to be one of the best in the league.

2022 Outlook

The Browns had an impressive collection of talent on their roster heading into last season, but won only eight games, in large part due to the fact that Baker Mayfield was struggling with a number of serious injuries. Cleveland once again has a roster replete with talent heading into 2022, but this franchise faces another uphill battle towards the postseason, due to Deshaun Watson being suspended for 11 games. Jacoby Brissett has winnable games during the early portion of the schedule against the Carolina Panthers, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Atlanta Falcons, but it is difficult to see him leading this team to many victories over the subsequent eight weeks – facing eight likely playoff contenders.

Reintegrating Watson ahead of Week 13 without the benefit of a bye week could prove troublesome as well. Playing in one of the toughest divisions in the NFL, Cleveland is facing another losing year – take the under on their win total.

PICK: Cleveland Browns u8.5 wins (-155)