Overview
- Head Coach: Mike Pettine
- Defensive Coordinator: Jim O’Neil
- Defensive Back Coach: Jeff Hafley
- Base Defense Scheme: 3-4
- Transactions: DB Joe Rankin and Landon Feichter signed, DB Micah Pellerin waived
- Draft Picks: CB Charles Gaines and Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, SS Ibraheim Campbell
Projected Starters
| CornerBack # 1: | Joe Haden | |
| CornerBack # 2: | Tramon Williams | |
| Strong Safety : | Donte Whitner | |
| Free Safety : | Tashaun Gipson | |
|
||
The Numbers
Total Fantasy Points Allowed to WR: 347.84 Average Fantasy Points Per game against to WR: 21.74 Total Receiving Touchdowns Allowed: 15 Total Receiving Yards Allowed:2,495 Average Receiving yards per game against: 155.94
|
Strengths
The Browns secondary is one of the best in the league. Last season they had three pro-bowlers, Cornerback Joe Haden, safety Tashaun Gipson and safety Donte Whitner, all of which are still part of this unit. While they lost Buster Skrine to the Jets, they signed corner Tramon Williams, who had a solid season last year for the Packers. Williams and Haden make a solid duo that are great shadow corners. This allows the defense to blitz more and apply more pressure up front. Last season, the Browns secondary accounted for the second most interceptions (21) and eighth fewest passing yards.
Weaknesses
The concern here is the abysmal offense in Cleveland. This can equate to the defense being on the field too often and eventually get tired. That being said, they are still a stingy unit with tons of talent and opposing quarterbacks could struggle to get much accomplished in the passing game when the play Cleveland.
Overall Outlook
Week in and week out the Cleveland Browns will most likely have some of the lowest over/under totals coming out from Vegas. This is due to their great defense and bad offense. They will not be in many (if any) shootouts. Joe Haden has turned into the protypical shadow corner as he is asked to cover the opposing teams # 1 more then any corner in the league. He did get eaten up in week 1 and his numbers are weighed down by his constant shadowing but he is still elite and this unit will be one to avoid for the time being.
