Browns Breakout Conversation

There is a list of names that have been mentioned as possible breakout players for the Cleveland Browns, but they depend on a strong foundation at quarterback and the defensive line. Those pieces can unlock everything else.

A product of hype and appreciating the talent the Cleveland Browns have assembled, the amount of different players labeled breakout candidates up to and including quarterback Deshaun Watson is notable. So much depends on how they define the concept of 'breaking out' but it's better to be one of the teams with multiple candidates than the ones where it's difficult to come up with one and because of some critical improvements on the roster, there is a reasonable chance the Browns could see multiple players break out this season.

On defense, names like linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, both Greg Newsome II and Martin Emerson Jr. at corner, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo on the edge and Grant Delpit at safety have been mentioned. Offensively, it's largely centered around wide receiver Elijah Moore, but PFF's NFL show even included Watson given how poorly he played in the six games he played in 2022.

Watson has the chance to be the best quarterback the Browns have had in decades. If he can simply match the level of play Jacoby Brissett showed last year, the Browns are in the mix for the playoffs. Should he reach Baker Mayfield levels in 2020, the Browns can be a problematic matchup in the playoffs and if Watson is able to reclaim the form he showed in 2020, the Browns can win the Super Bowl.

The better Watson plays, the higher chance receivers on this roster break out. Elijah Moore has been great thus far in unpadded practices, able to create separation and make catches in traffic. That needs to continue when defenders can hit him during the season, but the structure of the offense likely benefits him as well.

Simply adding Moore to an offense with Amari Cooper, David Njoku, Donovan Peoples-Jones and Nick Chubb, increases the way they can attack opponents. There should be space for Moore to create with the ball in his hands, adding more speed to the offense.

Njoku has established himself as a good tight end, but he could become more widely recognized as a star this year. If not for a high-ankle sprain, Njoku's game averages would've set season-highs in a few statistical categories. Watson's ability to create when plays break down has resulted in wide open opportunities for tight ends. That could enable Njoku to have the best season of his career.

Donovan Peoples-Jones has gotten better every year in the NFL. He's in a contract year. That could see him get an uptick in efficiency this year. The biggest question is whether or not he will lose touches simply because the Browns have more receiving threats than last season.

The chain reaction from Watson to these other players is critical. If he were to struggle again, they are going to be limited in what they can do even if they are better at getting open or creating after the catch. So much of it, understandably, is on Watson to be the franchise quarterback they need him to be.

The reason this is important is because there's a similar dynamic on the defensive side of the ball. There were a handful of players that were mentioned as breakout candidates last year that simply didn't happen. Martin Emerson had a strong rookie year, but so many players on that side of the ball either regressed or simply treaded water.

That's because the Browns were so bad up front. Much of that was due to the defensive tackle play, but when Jadeveon Clowney was playing at a high level in 2021, that covered up some of the interior problems and the Browns had some dominant defensive performances. Absent that this past year, Myles Garrett was the only proven commodity up front that played up to his billing.

It's overblown to describe the Browns linebackers as being tiny, but they are slightly smaller than a number of teams because JOK is light. Combining that with a completely ill-equipped defensive interior led to the Browns defense being run down like grass in a number of games.

Linebackers not built to take on linemen were getting displaced, which forced safeties to be a major element in the run defense. When they fell short, the Browns were gashed, but even when they were successful, they weren't as focused on the passing game, which created situations where they got torched.

As a result, Dalvin Tomlinson, Za'Darius Smith and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo immediately make the rest of the defense better, but Tomlinson is particularly important. And since the Browns are likely to add another defensive tackle, that would also be important. Those additions in aggregate are as important to Deshaun Watson on offense.

JOK's rookie year was sensational. The drop-off in 2022 was symbiotic of the Browns defense as a whole. With an improved defensive line, JOK is in a position to reclaim the form he showed as a rookie, potentially able to surpass it. If they keep him clean, JOK can fly around and make plays.

That should also enable the safeties to be more focused on the passing game. Grant Delpit may play in the box more this season and have a specific gap to fill in the running game, but Juan Thornhill can be focused on protecting the deep middle.

Delpit is a particularly interesting situation, because he has played poorly to begin the season, then rallied to enjoy a strong second half. If he can simply have one whole season, he will have broken out. Playing in the box suits him and could further help him to have an excellent 2023 season.

If the defense works as intended, the Browns should force opponents into more obvious passing situations, which allows the pass rusher to pin their ears back and attack the quarterback. That should result in more pressure on the quarterback. That should enable Okoronwko to have a monster season.

Just on an uptick of snaps, Okoronkwo should record a season-high in sacks. On top of that, he now gets to play across from Myles Garrett and alongside Za'Darius Smith. Jerry Hughes was great for the Houston Texans last year, but the current setup for the Browns is a sizable upgrade for Okoronkwo.

All of this should benefit the corners. More obvious passing situations means they are entirely focused on the opposing receiver, plus they shouldn't need to cover as long. That should empower Jim Schwartz to call more aggressive coverages with the goal of causing turnovers. 

The high variance at corner can lead to dramatically different results from one year to the next as illustrated by Denzel Ward this past year, but the overall improvements on defense should help to limit the negative outcomes. Newsome had a better year than he's given credit for as he acclimated to a role in the slot.

More comfortable inside, Newsome has an opportunity to be a playmaker because he'll have more freedom to take risks in coverage. He's going to have more help than he does on the outside and if quarterbacks are forced to make bad decisions quickly, he could end up not simply recording the first interception of his career but return it for a touchdown.

Schwartz being the defensive coordinator is also a factor in players potentially breaking out since coaching is always important. It's not as important as the Browns building a strong defensive line, but it's all beneficial.

The Cleveland Browns are in an enviable position. Now, they have to pay it off. The biggest focus is getting Deshaun Watson to be at his best and they've put a ton of effort into rebuilding the defensive line. There is still room for another starter inside, but they've improved that group dramatically. If Watson can play at a high level and the defensive line plays up to its talent, the Browns could see multiple players enjoy breakout seasons, which would then raise the ceiling for what this team can accomplish in 2023.