Pre-training camp Browns mailbag: realistic season outcomes and predictions
Training camp is just around the corner kicking off next weekend on the 22nd as the team heads for West Virginia to kick off camp. The long offseason is nearly behind us as Cleveland Browns football is in the air. It’s time to turn the page on the additions of the offseason and start focusing on what this team will look like in 2023.
Most, like myself, believe that Deshaun Watson will have some kind of bounce back but what could that look like? Is Andrew Berry done adding talent or is more coming? Let’s take a look at these questions and more in this pre-training camp Browns mailbag.
What are realistic goals for Deshaun Watson this year?
I don’t think it is unrealistic to think he could replicate something like he did in 2020 during his final season with Houston. He has a much better-supporting cast in Cleveland to go along with the best running back in football keeping defenses honest.
Mix that with a strong offensive line and a creative head coach and you have a successful season. I think Watson is somewhere around 4,000 yards and 30 touchdowns in 2023.
Will Perrion Winfrey put his immaturity behind him and contribute to the team this year?
I certainly hope so, of the players on the roster at the position he has a good chance to develop into a solid pass rusher. However, I’m not optimistic, despite the issues during the season he had more issues of the season.
You hope that something got through to him but until we get to camp we won’t know if he has moved past it. You have to think he will be on thin ice and if someone like Maurice Hurst stays healthy and performs in camp that could be the end of Winfrey’s time in Cleveland.
What is a realistic record to expect this year?
Currently, I think this team is a 10 or 11-win team barring some bad injury luck. The defense has more talent and a better coach but it’ll take some time for them to truly gel and it might be a slow start for them against some good offenses out the gate.
The offense also has some new pieces and an overhauled scheme that they could lose a game or two early that they shouldn’t. But overall they should win double-digit games and push for the playoffs.
What do you think the next likely move is for Andrew Berry? Any names in particular you could see?
I think it’ll be a while before Berry makes any changes unless there is a major injury. But if I were to hone in on a position it would be linebacker or defensive tackle. A couple of names that I would like to look out for are Myles Jack at linebacker or Shelby Harris at defensive tackle. It seems like if someone is added it’ll be a veteran replacing a player that the team is taking a chance on not panning out in camp.
Alex Wright has a massive opportunity in front of him in ‘23. Do you see a potential transition to becoming a full time DT as a plausible outcome for Wright?
I think that is part of why they are comfortable right now with the position going into camp without another veteran. Wright’s best snaps came from the inside last year and his build and skill set makes him a good option, especially as a pass rusher.
I don’t think he will be full-time there but I think he could split reps 50/50 between the inside and outside. I wrote a little bit more about this in an earlier article you can read here.
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