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Cleveland Browns season prediction: Best and worst case scenario for 2022

By Randy Gurzi

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 10: Myles Garrett #95 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates after a sack during the second half against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on October 10, 2021 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 10: Myles Garrett #95 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates after a sack during the second half against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on October 10, 2021 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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Welcome to FanSided’s 2022 NFL preview! It’s time to look into our crystal football and take a glimpse at the Cleveland Browns season prediction.

The Cleveland Browns are trying to shake off a rough 2021 season. One year after ending the longest playoff drought in the NFL, Cleveland battled injuries on both sides of the ball, with the most impactful happening to Baker Mayfield.

Cleveland Browns 2021 season in review

  • 8-9 Record
  • 3rd place in AFC North
  • Didn’t qualify for the playoffs

A fourth-year quarterback, Mayfield suffered a shoulder injury in Week 2 and was never the same after that. He played through the pain but his throwing motion was off, and that led to some errant throws.

There was also plenty of drama behind the scenes with Odell Beckham, Jr. forcing his way out and Mayfield and the coaching staff failing to see eye-to-eye, which explains his departure in the offseason. The once-tight knit locker room started to show cracks, leading to some changes this offseason.

Cleveland Browns 2022 NFL Draft class

  • Rd 3: Martin Emerson, Jr, CB, Mississippi Statel
  • Rd 3: Alex Wright, EDGE, UAB
  • Rd 3: David Bell, WR, Purdue
  • Rd 5: Perrion Winfrey, DT

This was a weird draft for Cleveland. A team accustomed to picking early and often, they weren’t on the clock until pick 42, but then traded that one away.Their first selection wasn’t until pick 68, which is where they landed Emerson. The lengthy cornerback should see the field a lot as a rookie, since defensive coordinator Joe Woods loves to utilize multiple defensive backs.

He showed a lot of promise in the preseason and is an aggressive tackler. Chances are, they expect him to be the No. 3 guy full-time by 2023, when Greedy Williams hits the open market.

Alex Wright joins a position with several playmakers and Perrion Winfrey is in a crowded room, but one that has a lot of questions. Neither will be relied upon much as rookies, but are there for what they can do in the future. The pick in between them, David Bell, is likely to be the rookie who gets the most snaps. Cleveland’s receiver corps needs sure-handed pass-catchers, and that’s exactly what he is.

Previewing Cleveland Browns offense for 2022 season

  • Key offseason additions:
    • Amari Cooper, WR
    • Deshaun Watson, QB
    • Jacoby Brissett, QB
    • Ethan Pocic, C
    • David Bell, WR
  • Biggest X-Factor: Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR
  • Squeakiest Wheel: Jacoby Brissett, QB

Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt are going to make their plays out of the backfield but the biggest playmaker for this team is going to be Amari Cooper. The former Dallas Cowboys wideout is the best receiver on this roster, which is hurting for talent.

That’s why Donovan Peoples-Jones is such an X-factor. It’s clear Anthony Schwartz isn’t ready and they can’t put too much on David Bell’s plate in year one. DPJ is entering his third season and he needs to become a consistent playmaker, and will have a chance to do so with so much attention going toward Cooper.

Of course, with Watson being suspended for the first 11 games, there’s going to be a lot expected from Brissett. So far in his career, he’s been average at best. In his lone preseason game for Cleveland, he looked shaky and uncomfortable. He’s going to be able to lean on the run game but eventually, he will need to beat some teams with his arm and it’s not a guarantee that he can do this.

Previewing Cleveland Browns defense for 2022 season

  • Key offseason additions:
    • Chase Winovich, DE
    • Taven Bryan, DE
    • Martin Emerson, CB
    • Perrion Winfrey, DT
  • Biggest X-Factor: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
  • Squeakiest Wheel: The entire DT room

Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney set the tone on the front end of the defense and Denzel Ward and Greg Newsome lock things down in the secondary. However, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is the one that can take this defense to the next level. He’s a heat-seeking missile that can alter the game plan for the opposing offense. As long as he takes a step forward from his rookie season, he can become a star.

While they do have some talented players all over the field on defense, they have some real issues in the interior of the line. Right now, it looks as though Jordan Elliott and Taven Bryan are slated to start, Neither has been great in their career, and run-stuffing could be a problem. Just as it was a year ago.

Cleveland Browns 2022 coaching staff overview

  • Head Coach: Kevin Stefanski
  • Off. Coordinator: Alex Van Pelt
  • Def. Coordinator: Joe Woods
  • 2023 Head Coach Candidate: Joe Woods

The Browns finally have some real continuity among their coaching staff. Kevin Stefanski enters year three and has the same coordinators as well. Stefanski and Van Pelt will continue to work together on game-planning but the head coach is set to continue calling plays on offense.

Defensively, Woods runs things and while he was often criticized during his first season, he’s really gotten this defense on track. If there was a head coaching candidate on this sideline, he should be first in line.

Cleveland Browns Awards Watch

The Browns really only have one player vying for an award on either side of the ball. Myles Garrett continues to fight for a shot at Defensive Player of the Year and Nick Chubb could put himself in the Offensive Player of the Year conversation. Helping this offense stay on track while Watson is out would do wonders for his cause.

Nick Chubb, MVP

Chubb would likely be the only player on this team to be considered for the MVP award, but even that’s a long shot. He would have to not only win the rushing title but also be the reason they stay in contention during the 11 games Brissett starts.

Myles Garrett, Defensive Player of the Year

Garrett has made it clear that he wants to be considered for this award but so far, it’s evaded him. He had his best season last year when he recorded 16 sacks but was still looking up at T.J. Watt and his record-tying 22.5 sacks. Perhaps this is the season he gets over the hump.

Biggest game on Cleveland Browns schedule in 2022

Right now, it’s Week 1 vs. the Carolina Panthers. Not only do they have to face Baker Mayfield, but this franchise hasn’t won in Week 1 since the 2004 season. Should they start out 0-1 under Brissett, and lose to Mayfield in the process, doubt could start to creep in. Getting off on the right foot is beyond important for this team, It’s critical.

Cleveland Browns season prediction: Best case scenario

The best case scenario for Cleveland this season is that Brissett can somehow keep them around .500 or better. If they’re 6-5 or even 5-6 when Watson is able to return to the team, they could find themselves in a position to fight for the playoffs. Even if they don’t win it all, it would be a successful season if they can get Watson some time in meaningful games before heading into an offseason with no looming suspensions.

Cleveland Browns season prediction: Worst case scenario

Worst case scenario for the Browns is that Jacoby Brissett struggles and they can’t keep up during a tough schedule that starts with the Chargers in Week 5. Front there, they play New England, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Miami, Buffalo, and Tampa Bay.

The good news is, Watson is back after that Bucs game, but that could very easily be seven losses in row. If that happens, their start to the season with a somewhat soft schedule would mean nothing.

Cleveland Browns season prediction for 2022

  • 8-9 record
  • 3rd place in AFC North
  • Playoff Prediction: Won’t qualify for the postseason

Even with a soft record, there’s hardly any chance the Browns go 4-0 out of the gate. That just doesn’t happen. Teams will always drop a trap game, and there are a couple there. After this, the seven-game stretch from Week 5 – Week 12 is too daunting.

Cleveland has a strong run game and a good defense, which will keep them in some of the games, but Brissett isn’t outdueling players such as Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, Justin Herbert, and Tom Brady. It’s a stacked AFC North, and they’re not where they want to be yet.

Read more from FanSided’s 2022 NFL Preview here. For more Cleveland Browns coverage, check out Dawg Pound Daily. 

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