Sportsvival continues its deep dive into the AFC North. We left off in Cincinnati — now we turn to their Ohio cousin, the Cleveland Browns. What can we expect from this unpredictable squad in 2025?
Talent Distribution: Uneven and Unsettling
Cleveland is a talented team, but their roster feels unevenly built. Some position groups are stacked, others are full of question marks.
The most glaring oddity? Four quarterbacks on the roster:
Joe Flacco — 40 years old, steady but far from the long-term answer.
Kenny Pickett — inconsistent and still trying to find his footing.
Dillon Gabriel — a rookie with upside, but untested at the NFL level.
Shedeur Sanders — another rookie, talented but still an unknown commodity.
It’s a strange mix for a franchise that’s been in quarterback purgatory since moving on from Baker Mayfield.
Offensive Weapons: Sporadic but Dangerous
The Browns have playmakers, but consistency is the issue.
Cedric Tillman — solid and reliable.
Jerry Jeudy — elite route runner, capable of big games.
Diontae Johnson — talented but streaky.
David Njoku — one of the most entertaining tight ends in the league.
Jerome Ford — dependable in the backfield.
Quinshon Judkins — promising rookie RB, but still an unknown as he works past off-field issues.
On paper, this unit can move the ball. In reality, it will only go as far as the quarterback play allows.
Defensive Strength: The True Backbone
If there’s one area where Cleveland shines, it’s defense.
Myles Garrett — a perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate and game-wrecker.
Mason Graham — rookie DT with high upside.
Denzel Ward — one of the league’s premier shutdown corners.
Grant Delpit & Greg Newsome II — versatile, high-level defensive backs.
This group has the talent to win games on its own, even if the offense sputters.
Coaching & Leadership: Stefanski’s Challenge
Kevin Stefanski is a creative, offensively minded coach who adjusts well on the fly. But even the best play-calling can’t always overcome roster imbalance and uncertainty at the most important position in football.
The Browns have enough talent to steal a few games, but the combination of quarterback instability, uneven roster construction, and off-field noise could sink their season.
Final Thoughts & Prediction
In the AFC North, you don’t win without stability — and Cleveland doesn’t have it. The defense will keep them competitive, but the offense’s inconsistency and QB carousel will be too much to overcome.
Prediction: 6–11 Record | 4th Place in the AFC North
(photo courtesy of Browns Nation)