The 2023 NFL Season is here, and the Music City Drive In is getting you ready. Check back each day from now until September 3 as we look at each team and make award and playoff predictions. Agree? Disagree? Let us know in the comments.

The Browns made a big swing last off-season, mortgaging the future to acquire Deshaun Watson and signing him to a contract that included a record guarantee. The team then saw its new franchise quarterback earn an 11-game suspension. Jacoby Brissett filled in, but the team was just 4-7 when Watson returned. The Browns finished 7-10, as Watson went 3-3, shaking off nearly two years’ worth of rust. What will that mean for the team in 2023?

Off-Season Changes

The Browns saw veteran Brissett head to Washington. In addition, cornerback Greedy Williams left via free agency, signing with the Philadelphia Eagles. Up front, Chase Winovich went to Houston while Taven Bryant signed with the Colts. On offense, veteran running back Kareem Hunt is a free agent while D’Ernest Johnson left to sign with the Jaguars.

But it wasn’t all a one-way street. The Browns moved to bolster the receiving options, first by trading for former Jet Elijah Moore. Moore caught 80 passes for 984 yards and six touchdowns his first two seasons. The team also spent its first draft pick—in the Third Round—to acquire Tennessee receiver Cedric Tillman. Tillman caught 101 passes for 1498 yards and 17 touchdowns his last two seasons.

Fantasy Impact

Watson is the starting quarterback, and the Browns are hoping with a full off-season he can regain his old form. In his last full season as a starter, Watson threw for 4,823 yards and 33 touchdowns. That could leave him with QB1 potential. In the backfield, he’s paired with Nick Chubb, who was RB6 a year ago. He’s not a huge piece of the passing game, but with even less competition for touches in 2022 he should be a high-end RB1.

In the passing game, the Browns are led by Amari Cooper. Despite uneven quarterback play, Cooper was WR10 in 2022. He’s been a rock-steady contributor for the Raiders and Cowboys before the Browns, and figures to have at least as high a ceiling with Watson back for a full season. He’s a WR1 for me. I also like tight end David Njoku, who has low-end TE1 upside. Among the rest of the receivers, Moore, Tillman and Donovan Peoples-Jones will all compete for targets. I think each might have their moments but I’m less bullish on a stable week-to-week floor. Of those three, I still like Moore the best. I think he was on track for big things in New York before it went off the rails in 2022.

Prediction

The Browns might have the biggest range of outcomes of any team in this division. If Watson returns to form, this team has some pieces. But the defense struggled in 2022 and it’s unclear if it’s gotten much better. I think the Browns have a win range between eight-and-11 wins and could well be in the playoff hunt.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.