NFL Power Ranking Preseason Edition: NFC only gets better

With Tyrod Taylor as the starting quarterback in Cleveland, the Browns could win five games and be dramatically better than they’ve been in years. It’s still Cleveland, so I have my doubts.

They have assembled a young core I’m excited to see, one that will be built around Baker Mayfield. David Njoku stands to play a major role in the rebuild, and he could be their best first round pick in years, especially after the Corey Coleman trade.

The offensive line will have some questions with rookie Austin Corbett projected to start at guard and Joel Bitino set to replace future Hall of Famer Joe Thomas.

I also question the depth and experience of the interior of their defensive line. I’d like to see Caleb Brantley take a step forward and be dominant like he was at Florida.

Their secondary is strong on paper after acquiring Damarious Randall and Denzel Ward this offseason. We’ll see how Jabrill Peppers is used, but it should be more of a linebacker role than someone who plays in coverage.

No matter how much better the Browns look on paper, they’re still the franchise that has won just a single game in the last two years. Like any team, injuries are inevitable. What’s also inevitable is that the Browns will be the Browns and fail to take a major step forward in their progression as a franchise.