The Cleveland Browns made the playoffs last season despite its starters missing the fourth-most games in the league. They made the playoffs despite Deshaun Watson's noticeable rust, poor play, and frequent injuries. They made the playoffs despite playing one of the toughest schedules in the NFL.
This offseason, the team retained most of its starters while adding Jerry Jeudy and Za'Darius Smith. They also added depth in Jameis Winston, Dalvin Tomlinson, Nyheim Hines, Devin Bush, and Jordan Hicks.
Their odds to make the playoffs in 2024 are currently +145 at DraftKings Sportsbook.
We know the Browns are solid across both lines, but it's the depth that really stands out here. Cleveland has 3 starting starting-caliber tackles including Jack Conklin, one of the best right tackles in football. Not only is this one of the best offensive lines in football but it is set up to withstand 1-2 injuries.
On the defensive line, Myles Garrett is arguably the best defensive player in the league, and he should have an even better season with Za'Darius Smith on the opposite side. At defensive tackle, the Browns are once again blessed with three starting-caliber players in Harris, Hurst, and Tomlinson.
So, both lines are covered, but the forward pass dominates the league, so how does Cleveland stack up there? The Browns have PFF's 6th-rated secondary, led by cornerback trio Denzel Ward, Greg Newsome II, and Martin Emerson Jr.
On the offensive side of the ball, the team traded for Jerry Jeudy who, along with Amari Cooper, Elijah More, and David Njoku, give the Browns one of the best groups of pass catchers in the league.
Let's be honest, Deshaun Watson was this team's biggest issue last season. He missed 12 games and wasn't great in the 6 games he did play in (5-1 record), finishing with 1,115 yards, 7 touchdowns, 4 interceptions, 142 rushing yards, and 1 rushing touchdown.
However, we can't cut the Browns slack for the number of injuries they endured without cutting Watson some slack as well. With a healthy roster and one of the best coaching staffs in football, there is reason for optimism as we head into 2024.
This is a guy that, once upon a time (2020-2021 season), threw for 4,800+ yards and 33 touchdowns while running for 444 yards and 3 touchdowns. Good football lives in there somewhere...
We already mentioned Cleveland's odds of making the playoffs. At +124 they are one of our favorite playoff bets for 2024.
We also love their odds to win the AFC North at +600. It's a loaded division, with Burrow and Lamar at the top, but Cleveland has a better overall roster than both teams and will have a considerably easier schedule than the division-champion Ravens.
While we aren't ready to bet them to win the AFC (+2200) or Super Bowl (+4000), if Deshaun Watson returns to anywhere near the MVP form we saw in 2020 they are a live dog for both.