While I regularly write about next season and roster predictions, this looks more at what the team is likely to do. In this piece I want to focus on where the Browns need to improve to get to above average in each position room for 2027. It will focus much more on the starters rather than seeing anything in terms of depth.
They have a fantastic amount of cash and draft picks at their disposal to keep adding more to this young talented roster.
Quarterback
The arguments can continue of if Deshaun Watson is good enough to be a bridge quarterback in 2027 or not, when it comes to winning consistently, it doesn't really matter. Bridge quarterbacks and players you find in free agency, aren't going to take you to the Super Bowl in a loaded AFC. I don't see them going the route of trading multiple picks for a player after how it went previously.
So that means the plan will be to take a quarterback next season in the draft. April is far too far away to worry about where the Browns will pick and who the best quarterbacks will be. The season is more about working out if Watson can be the bridge than anything else.
Running Back
At running back it feels like they need a second back to pair with Judkins in a 1A and 1B scenario like when they had Chubb and Hunt previously. They have plenty of change of pace backs to chose from between Sampson, Sanders and potentially McLaughlin. Luckily it is possible to pick up the type of backs they need in free agency at a relatively decent price.
Wide Receiver
After years of struggling to get quality at the position, they have three starting quality receivers. They will either need to keep Jeudy next season or add another via free agency, trade or the draft. I would keep Jeudy and then focus on adding more in the draft on day three with the hope you can develop someone.
Tight End
They need to find more at tight end. While Fannin has plenty of promise he has the potential to be Kyle Pitts type player who can be a massive part of the passing offense but low value in the run game. While they could focus on chasing a run blocking tight end, it will be limiting to have a clear run blocker and a clear pass catcher. This gives a tell to the opposition each time one is on the field. They would be better suited looking to add a more all-around tight end. Even if this effectively moves Fannin to being a hybrid tight end/wide receiver alongside a new tight end, Boston and Concepcion.
Offensive Line
Everything has been looking very positive on the offensive line over the last few weeks. While people questioned Howard, he has really turned it around and is looking like the $21m a year tackle they traded for. There is a very real chance they run it back in 2027 when it comes to their starters. With four of the starters likely locked in, it is just a question of does Elgton Jenkins return in 2027 or not. As things stand it would be likely but there is a long season to go and he will turn 31 towards the end of the calendar year.
Coaching
When it comes to the offensive coaching staff, they need to focus on fixing the run game. It was semi working during the Ravens game, but this feels more like a one off than fixing it at this stage. It will be interesting to see if they can do anything over the next few weeks, but after the bye week could be the most telling spell.
Conclusion
Considering the starting shopping list for the offensive side of the ball currently sits at drafting a quarterback, a free agency running back and adding a tight end that can block, it isn't too extreme. Hitting on the quarterback will always be incredibly hard as teams have proven they haven't found a decent way to judge which college quarterbacks will and won't be successful. If they can fix this run game it could be a top offense in the league if they can make the right selection.
It is why coming into this season I was incredibly high on the Browns in 2027 and I see no reason to pause the optimism.