2023 NFL Team Offseason Roundup: Cleveland Browns

It’s time to look ahead to the 2023 NFL season! Follow along with all our fantasy football team offseason roundups here.

It’s been a very busy NFL offseason, with free agent signings, coaching changes and several new players entering the league via the NFL Draft. As we prepare for the 2023 fantasy football season, it’s critical to have a full understanding of each team’s offseason moves. Our NFL Team Roundup Series continues today with the Cleveland Browns.

2023 NFL Team Roundup: Cleveland Browns 

2022 Results

Record: 7-10, 4th in the AFC North
Season Ending: Lost 28-14 at Pittsburgh, did not make the playoffs

Cleveland Browns Offseason Summary

Draft 

3.74: Cedric Tillman, WR, Tennessee
3.98: Siaki Ika, DT, Baylor
4.111: Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State
4.126: Isaiah McGuire, DE, Missouri
5.140: Dorian Thompson-Robinson, QB, UCLA
5.142: Cameron Mitchell, CB, Northwestern
6.190: Luke Wypler, C, Ohio State

Cedric Tillman, WR (3.74)

Cleveland will have decisions to make after this season, with Amari Cooper turning 29 years old and Donovan Peoples-Jones in the final year of his rookie deal. Tillman’s final season at Tennessee was cut short due to ankle surgery. 

Siaki Ika, DT (3.98)

Cleveland struggled mightily on run defenses last year, allowing 135 rushing yards per game (8th most in the NFL). 

Dawand Jones, OT, (4.111)

Jones is 6-foot-8, 374 pounds, and did not allow a sack for Ohio State last season. He struggles as a run-blocker but is a worthy project with massive size. 

Dorian Thompson-Robinson, QB, (5.140)

With Jacoby Brissett now in Washington, the Browns only had Joshua Dobbs and Kellen Mond as backups to Deshaun Watson. Thompson-Robinson posted over 600 rushing yards in each of the past two seasons at UCLA. 

Additions

Free agent signings: QB Joshua Dobbs, WR Marquise Goodwin, TE Jordan Akins, OG Colby Gossett, EDGE Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, DL Trysten Hill, DL Maurice Hurst, DT Dalvin Tomlinson, LB Matthew Adams, CB Mike Ford, S Rodney McLeod, S Juan Thornhill
Trades: WR Elijah Moore, EDGE Za’Darius Smith

Marquise Goodwin, QB

Speedy wideout joins his fifth NFL team in his 10th season. 

Jordan Akins, TE

Athletic tight end averaged 36.5 receptions in his last two seasons with Watson in Houston. 

Elijah Moore, WR

Still only 23 years old, Moore is a talented (4.40 speed) wideout that was squeezed out of a crowded Jets wide receiver room. Could ascend to WR2 role with Browns. 

Za’Darius Smith, Edge

Very productive pass rusher who posted double-digit sacks in his last three full seasons. 

Departures

QB Jacoby Brissett, RB Kareem Hunt, RB D’Ernest Johnson, TE Pharaoh Brown, OT Chris Hubbard, C/OG Hjalte Froholdt, EDGE Jadeveon Clowney, Edge Chase Winovich, DL Taven Bryan, LB Jermaine Carter, LB Deion Jones, LB Reggie Ragland, CB Greedy Williams, S Ronnie Harrison, S John Johnson

Jacoby Brissett, QB

Started 10 games last year for Browns, playing well. One of the best backup QBs in the league, Brissett signed with Washington. 

Kareem Hunt, RB

Still only 27 years old, Hunt remains on the free agent market as teams continue to devalue veteran running backs. Will be replaced by Jerome Ford as the RB2 to Nick Chubb. 

Jadeveon Clowney, Edge

Posted 11 sacks in 26 games with Cleveland, but missed four games last season and was released after criticizing the coaching staff immediately after the season. 

Cleveland Browns Fantasy Outlook

The six most interesting Browns fantasy options:

Deshaun Watson, QB

Struggled after returning from suspension in 2022, but Deshaun Watson still brings a pedigree of three consecutive QB5, QB2 and QB5 performances from his Texans heyday and has the best overall receiving weapons of his career. 

Nick Chubb, RB

The dominant rusher in the league, Nick Chubb has posted at least 1,200 rushing yards in three of the last four seasons. Should see an uptick in receiving work as well. 

Amari Cooper, WR

One of the league’s most reliable WR1s, Amari Cooper has posted 1000 or more receiving yards in six of his eight seasons. 

Elijah Moore, WR

Will a change of scenery allow the athletic Elijah Moore to thrive as a legit WR2 with Watson as QB?

Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR

Donovan Peoples-Jones will be highly motivated in a contract year, and has increased his receptions and receiving yards each of his first three seasons. 

David Njoku, TE

David Njoku is one of the most athletic tight ends in the league and posted huge improvements in his receptions and receiving yards from the 2021 season despite playing two fewer games. 

2023 Outlook

DraftKings Sportsbook Wins Over/Under: 9.5 Wins (+115, -135)
AFC North odds: +425

The Browns stayed surprisingly competitive despite their season-long struggles at quarterback. Cleveland went 3-3 in games started by Watson, but he failed to reach 200 passing yards in four of those contests. However, they have upgraded their offense and have an elite offensive line and strong defense. This team will heavily depend on Watson but has immense upside if he returns to his All-Pro form. The AFC North could be the toughest division in football, but I see value in the betting market with this Browns team. I love the pass rush and expect the offense to be among the best in the NFL. I’m taking the over on their 9.5 wins while sprinkling on the division odds as well.