Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns: 5 long-term steps to AFC North contention

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 2:32 p.m. ET

foxsports

Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Corey Coleman (Baylor) is selected by the Cleveland Browns as the number fifteen overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

As a miserable 2016 regular season begins to wind down, the Cleveland Browns can only rely on looking forward to a multi-step process in order to contend.

It is beyond evident at this point that the Cleveland Browns have not found all of the answers quite yet. As the old adage goes, “you are what your record says you are.” The Browns are 0-10, and nothing else.

Fortunately, unlike circumstances in past seasons, the Browns do not need to start all over. The roster is currently in a position where merely modifying schematically would go a long ways. Then, improving the roster must become a top priority. But it is no longer the case that Cleveland’s best bet is to just start over.

With that said, the current team is still in jeopardy of completing an entire NFL season winless. There is certainly a long way to go before they can contend, seemingly an eternity to some.

The Browns still have to trust the process though. It may be a lengthy process, and a discouraging one at times, but it is their best opportunity to become relevant again. The following is an outline of the large steps Cleveland ought to take in the coming two seasons in order to win the AFC North in 2019.

Nov 6, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) runs the ball for a first down against the Cleveland Browns during the third quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Cowboys won 35-10. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

One of the most unique elements of this season’s struggles is the fact that the root of Cleveland’s problem is no longer at the quarterback position. In fact, the offense as a whole has looked promising throughout a winless first ten games.

The defense, on the other hand, has been nothing short of a complete disaster. Some of this can be blamed on a lack of talent, as the secondary is undeniably depleted. But looking at talent alone, the Browns shouldn’t be as poor against the run as they have been. Even with a big defensive line including first-round draft pick Danny Shelton who is entering his prime, the unit is ranked second-last against opposing rushing attacks, allowing 146.7 yards per game.

The only solution is to take a serious look at Ray Horton‘s scheme. His 3-4 defense may be trendy, but it isn’t working for Cleveland. With linebackers that struggle dropping back into coverage, and cornerbacks who are simply overmatched, the Browns must rely on a strong pass rush in order to slow down opposing offenses. This is not happening this season partially because of Horton’s unwillingness to rush the passer aggressively, but also because of the team’s 3-4 scheme.

Switching to 4-3 and replacing the defensive coordinator if necessary is not a step that will make the top headlines, but it is the most important step to begin with. Having four defensive linemen will help the Browns stop the run and rush the passer. Without an extra linebacker, they won’t get the extra spy, but they won’t need it. A fourth defensive lineman to wear down the offensive line is a much better use of a player.

Changing the scheme on defense is just one step to contention, and won’t make Cleveland suddenly relevant. However, it is necessary to begin with, as the rest of the process works around what the established scheme must be. This is how every NFL organization should operate, finding what works best, the coaching staff to implement it, and then the players that will perform well within it.

Aug 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam, right, talks with executive vice president of football operations Sashi Brown during pre-game against the Atlanta Falcons at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

Jimmy Haslam and the Browns have changed their minds too many times. First they wanted to build from the quarterback position down, then they wanted to follow Seattle’s model, and now they’re into analytics and placing emphasis on the offensive side of the ball. This entire decade has driven Cleveland fans out of their minds.

The second step to winning the AFC North in 2019 is making sure this deadline is not delayed. To do this, the Browns have to pick a regime and stick with it. As of now, it must be assumed that Haslam will go with Sashi Brown and Hue Jackson long-term. Refraining from shaking everything up again is one important element to the rebuilding process.

Of course, fans are very much caught up on finding a coach for the long-term and a “franchise quarterback.” While a coach who has begun his tenure with ten straight losses may not strike fans as the coach of the future, the Browns must treat Jackson like he is. After all, Jackson provides Cleveland with exactly what they wanted when they finally made up their mind; an offensive-minded head coach with the experience to turn a roster around.

Jackson’s 8-8 record in Oakland in his first season as a head coach is very revealing as to what he is capable of accomplishing. Unlike past Cleveland head coaches, Jackson has some experience winning in the National Football League.

Some of his decisions may be questionable, no doubt. But even just for the sake of some continuity, Haslam cannot relieve Jackson of his coaching duties after two seasons this time.

Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Danny Shelton (Washington) poses for a photo with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected as the number 12th overall pick to the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Though this season may be the worst in team history, it is unique in that the Browns have a clear direction. Many fans are now starting to truly believe that rookie quarterback Cody Kessler can lead a team to contention, if that team has solid pieces all around.

Therefore, if Cleveland is going to stop starting over, and they’re going to go with Kessler and Jackson long-term, they must build around their shell of young players through the draft. More specifically, they ought to follow the model of the Dallas Cowboys, a team who selected offensive linemen in the first round of the draft in 2011, 2013, and 2014.

Clearly, the Browns must improve on the offensive line, and can do this through upcoming NFL drafts. In the Cowboys’ situation, everything fell into place after they established their line, similar to what could happen in Cleveland. With an offensive-minded head coach, this area is most important if the Browns want to give their position players a chance to develop.

With a lot of draft picks coming, Cleveland must also emphasize the need to solidify their defense. More draft picks like Emmanuel Ogbah and Carl Nassib would be welcomed over the next two years. Selections such as these would make the Browns’ defense more of a force to be reckoned with, alleviating some of the pressure from Jackson, Kessler, and the offense.

Building through the draft is easier said than done as Browns fans can attest to, but it is completely necessary. Cleveland can’t afford to make big splashes in free agency, especially when they don’t have much of a team to make any one addition worthwhile. This is why building through the draft under stable ownership and an established coaching staff and quarterback is the next step to winning the AFC North in 2019.

Sep 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles guard Brandon Brooks (79) and Cleveland Browns linebacker Demario Davis (56) in action at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles won 29-10. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The Browns must be able to build the bulk of their roster through both current players and future draft picks. Then, and only then, can free agency become a major means by which acquisitions take place.

Cleveland is all too familiar with underachieving free agents. In recent years, Dwayne Bowe and Ben Tate have tortured fans with their poor and uninspired play, contributing to two very forgettable seasons. While this may have been partially due to the individuals themselves, there is undeniably an element of laziness which stems from being on a struggling team.

To avoid this in the future the Browns must hold off on free agency and major trades until they have at least a shell of a roster with potential. In some ways, they already do. But they lack the offensive line and the secondary, necessary pieces to attract big name free agents.

Also, the team can’t just blindly throw money at players that they think will make a difference. This is what they did in 2014, throwing $6.2 million at Tate, and $9 million at Bowe. In the end, Tate was gone before the conclusion of the season, and Bowe caught a total of five passes in seven games.

Once the team does become somewhat relevant again, likely after 2017, free agency becomes an option. The team can go after a running back, as well as a defensive lineman or linebacker. Making a splash in free agency would serve as a signal to the rest of the league that the up and coming Browns are legitimate. Wins would then begin to pile up, and the team would be in position to take the division crown by 2019.

Nov 10, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Robert Griffin talks with head coach Hue Jackson prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Once the pieces are in place, fans will be encouraged. However, the process won’t be quite complete. As has been evident the past few seasons in the NFL, a talented team which lacks the winning culture within their organization may as well have no talent.

Part of the reason Haslam and Brown decided to offer Jackson a head coaching position was that they believed he was the right man to change the culture in Cleveland. Even in the midst of a historically pathetic 2016, shades of this are indeed evident. Jackson has both the demeanor and the respect of his players to establish a winning culture in a previously dejected building in Berea.

A lot of culture is the way teams finish games. The Browns have struggled in this department for the past decade, and beyond in some cases. A team with strong leadership and the confidence that they belong on the field will solve these past woes Cleveland has had.

Once the team has the personnel and the belief that they can be serious championship contenders, everything will come together. Regardless, the NFL is not an easy league to contend consistently in. But the Browns are beyond due. If they follow these steps, there’s a good chance 2019 is the year they take the AFC North.