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5 Things the Cleveland Browns Must Improve Over the Offseason

5 Things the Cleveland Browns Must Improve Over the Offseason

Donte Whitner Cleveland Browns
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Although the Cleveland Browns’ 2014 season had the bottom fall out of it in mid-November, it was a better year than usual for Browns fans. Fixing up the weak areas via free agency and the draft will make this team very relevant in 2015. Here are five things the Browns must improve over the offseason.

5. Rush Defense

Justin Forsett Baltimore Ravens
Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

5. Rush Defense

Justin Forsett Baltimore Ravens
Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Dead last. That’s where the Browns’ rush defense ranked in 2014. No one gave up more yards on the ground. If a team can run over you, it’s hard to win games. Look for the Browns to make a splash in free agency (cough, Ndamukong Suh) or use a high draft pick to address this pressing issue.

4. The Quarterback Position

Johnny Manziel Cleveland Browns
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

4. The Quarterback Position

Johnny Manziel Cleveland Browns
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

If we didn’t talk about quarterbacks, would it really be a Browns conversation? With Brian Hoyer entering free agency, Johnny Manziel hosting parties with a hamstring injury, and Kirk Cousins trade rumors swirling, it’s hard to know who will be starting for the Browns at quarterback next season. All we know is that the play at the most crucial position in the game must improve.

3. Explosiveness of Receiving Corps

Andrew Hawkins Cleveland Browns
Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports

3. Explosiveness of Receiving Corps

Andrew Hawkins Cleveland Browns
Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports

Andrew Hawkins, the Browns’ leading receiver in 2014, ranked an underwhelming 43rd among all pass-catchers in receiving yards (824). And it’s not like you can blame that sleepy passing offense entirely on the absence of Josh Gordon. In the five games he played, Gordon surpassed the century mark only once and failed to score a single touchdown.

2. Third Down Efficiency

Mike Pettine Cleveland Browns
Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

2. Third Down Efficiency

Mike Pettine Cleveland Browns
Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

The Browns also ranked dead last in successful third down conversions (29.5 percent). To solve this problem in the offseason, the Browns should sign or draft a slippery playmaker to help them out on third down. Soon-to-be-free agent Shane Vereen of the New England Patriots comes to mind.

1. The Culture

Joe Haden Cleveland Browns
Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

1. The Culture

Joe Haden Cleveland Browns
Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

At one point in the regular season, the Browns were 7-4 and poised to make a run at the playoffs. However, mediocrity crept back into the locker room and the Browns didn’t win a single game after Thanksgiving as they fell to 7-9 on the year. In his second season as head coach, Mike Pettine needs to figure out a way to light a fire under this promising but inconsistent group of players.

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