With the 2024 NFL schedule set to be announced on May 15, it's time to take a deeper look at who the Browns will face in the 2024 season. So, let's break down how the offseason turned out for all 14 of the Browns' 2024 opponents.
Cincinnati Bengals
Additions: DT Sheldon Rankins, TE Mike Gesicki, RB Zack Moss, S Geno Stone, S Vonn Bell
Losses: RB Joe Mixon, DT DJ Reader
Draft class: OT Amarius Mims, DT Kris Jenkins, WR Jermaine Burton, DT McKinnley Jackson, TE Erick All, CB Josh Newton, TE Tanner McLachlan, DE Cedric Johnson, DB Daijahn Anthony, C Matt Lee
Analysis: The Bengals addressed a key need to the middle of their defensive line with the addition of Rankins and his pass rushing ability. Rankins finished the 2023 season ranked seven in pass rush win rate as a defensive tackle. They also revamped their running back room with the addition of Moss after they traded Mixon to the Texans and added a pass-catching threat in Gesicki to give QB Joe Burrow options.
Denver Broncos
Additions: WR Josh Reynolds, LB Cody Barton, DT Malcolm Roach, DE John Franklin-Myers, Angelo Blackson, QB Zach Wilson, OT Matt Peart, S Brandon Jones
Losses: WR Jerry Jeudy, LB Josey Jewell
Draft class: QB Bo Nix, LB Jonah Elliss, WR Troy Franklin, CB Kris Abrams-Draine, RB Audric Estime, WR Devaughn Vele, G Nick Gargiulo
Analysis: With the departure of Jeudy in a trade with the Browns, the Broncos added Reynolds to fill in a thin receiving corps. They also addressed their need to improve their defensive line with the addition of Roach – who gives Denver a rotational player with experience under coach Sean Payton – as well as Franklin-Myers and Blackson to help stop the run.
Washington Commanders
Additions: RB Austin Ekeler, LB Bobby Wagner, QB Marcus Mariota, TE Zach Ertz, DE Dante Fowler, LB Frankie Luvu, C Tyler Biadasz, DE Dorance Armstrong, DE Clelin Ferrell, CB Michael Davis, K Brandon McManus
Losses: S Kamren Curl, K Joey Slye
Draft class: QB Jayden Daniels, DT Jer'Zhan Newton, CB Mike Sainristil, TE Ben Sinnott, OG Brandon Coleman, WR Luke McCaffrey, LB Jordan Magee, S Dominique Hampton, DE Javontae Jean-Baptiste
Analysis: The Commanders made moves throughout the offseason to improve their roster on both sides of the ball. They addressed needs across their front seven, as well as the secondary. They filled holes in the run game and added pass-catching threats as well. The addition of Mariota adds a veteran quarterback with experience leading NFL offenses as a backup to McDaniels as he adjusts to the NFL.
Los Angeles Chargers
Additions: WR DJ Chark Jr., RB J.K. Dobbins, CB Kristian Fulton, LB Denzel Perryman, C Bradley Bozeman, LB Troy Dye, QB Easton Stick, DL Poona Ford, TE Hayden Hurst, TE Will Dissly, S Alohi Gilman, RB Gus Edwards
Losses: TE Nick Vannett, WR Jalen Guyton, DT Austin Johnson, OL Will Clapp, S Jaylinn Hawkins, RB Austin Ekeler, CB Michael Davis, LB Kenneth Murray Jr., LB Amen Ogbongbemiga, TE Gerald Everett, WR Mike Williams
Draft class: OL Joe Alt, WR Ladd McConkey, LB Junior Colson, DL Justin Eboigbe, DB Tarheeb Still, DB Cam Hart, RB Kimani Vidal, WR Brenden Rice, WR Cornelius Johnson
Analysis: The Chargers' roster saw a lot of shakeups this offseason since Jim Harbaugh became the head coach and brought in a number of new faces. They added Dobbins and Edwards as key pieces to their run game and added to that competition with the drafting of Vidal. They added depth at corner both in free agency and the draft which was a position of need. Under a new head coach and offensive coordinator in Greg Roman, time will tell how they build out the identity of the offense this coming season.
Kansas City Chiefs
Additions: QB Carson Wentz, WR Marquise Brown, TE Irv Smith Jr.
Losses: TE Jordy Fortson, LB Willie Gay Jr., G Nick Allegretti, P Tommy Townsend
Draft class: WR Xavier Worthy, OT Kingsley Suamataia, TE Jared Wiley, S Jaden Hicks, C Hunter Nourzad, CB Kamal Hadden, G C.J. Hanson
Analysis: For the back-to-back Super Bowl champions, much of their offseason centered around re-signing their own free agents, especially key starters and contributors on the defensive side of the ball. They also landed a big-name wide receiver in signing Brown, as well as a solid backup option for QB Patrick Mahomes with the addition of Wentz.
Dallas Cowboys
Additions: RB Ezekiel Elliott, LB Eric Kendricks, RB Royce Freeman
Losses: RB Tony Pollard, DL Dorance Armstrong, C Tyler Biadasz, DE Dante Fowler
Draft class: OT Tyler Guyton, DE Marshawn Kneeland, IOL Cooper Beebe, LB Marist Liufau, CB Caelen Carson, WR Ryan Flournoy, OT Nathan Thomas, DT Justin Rogers
Analysis: The Cowboys were relatively quiet throughout free agency but added depth to their front seven with Kendricks after he flipped from the 49ers. They also added to depth and experience to their run game in signing Freeman and Elliott – who they brought back to Dallas after he played the 2023 season with the Patriots.
Miami Dolphins
Additions: S Jordan Poyer, LB Shaquil Barrett, TE Jonnu Smith, LB Jordyn Brooks, C Aaron Brewer, CB Kendall Fuller, LB Anthony Walker Jr., DT Benito Jones, DT Neville Gallimore, TE Jody Fortson, CB Siran Neal, DT Jonathan Harris, WR Odell Beckham Jr., OL Jack Driscoll, DT Teair Tart
Losses: S Brandon Jones, DT Christian Wilkins, DT Raekwon Davis
Draft class: LB Chop Robinson, T Patrick Paul, RB Jaylen Wright, OLB Mohamed Kamara, WR Malik Washington
Analysis: The Dolphins made different moves to fill the hole left on their defensive line by the departures of Wilkins and Davis, as well as more depth to the front seven. Former Brown in Anthony Walker Jr. will suit up in another jersey when the Dolphins face the Browns this season after he signed with Miami in the offseason. The Dolphins also added a high-profile name in Beckham to their receiving corps, giving QB Tua Tagovailoa another option in the pass game.
Philadelphia Eagles
Additions: QB Kenny Pickett, LB Devin White, DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson, RB Saquon Barkley, DE Bryce Huff, WR DeVante Parker, G Matt Hennessy
Losses: C Jason Kelce
Draft class: CB Quinyon Mitchell, DB Cooper DeJean, OLB Jalyx Hunt, RB Will Shipley, WR Ainias Smith, LB Jeremiah Trotter, OG Trevor Keegan, WR Johnny Wilson, OL Dylan McMahon
Analysis: The Eagles shook up the division with some of their offseason moves, signing Barkley and trading for Pickett to add to their offense. They also are building on their receiving room with the addition of Parker alongside A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. They also saw the retirement of center Jason Kelce, who played 13 seasons with the Eagles, which caused a shift in their offensive line.
New York Giants
Additions: OLB Brian Burns, OL Jon Runyan Jr., OL Jermaine Eluemunor, RB Devin Singletary, DB Jalen Mills, QB Drew Lock, WR Isaiah McKenzie, TE Jack Stoll, TE Chris Manhertz, G Aaron Stinnie, G Austin Schlottmann, OT Matt Nelson, RB Dante Miller, WR Miles Boykin, DL Jordan Phillips, LB Matthew Adams
Losses: RB Saquon Barkley, OL Ben Bredeson, LB Cam Brown, WR Parris Campbell, S Xavier McKinney, OT Matt Peart, DL A'Shawn Robinson, QB Tyrod Taylor, OLB Jihad Ward
Draft class: WR Malik Nabers, S Tyler Nubin, CB Andru Phillips, TE Theo Johnson, RB Tyrone Tracy Jr., LB Darius Muasau
Analysis: After ending the 2023 season 6-11, the Giants went to work retooling their roster to fill gaps and address positions of need. Losing Barkley is a hit to the Giants, but they added Singletary to serve as the lead back who can help recreate the run game for the Giants. They also made a big splash with the acquisition of Burns, adding an elite edge rusher and asset for their defense.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Additions: DT Arik Armstead, WR Gabe Davis, C Mitch Morse, S Darnell Savage, K Joey Slye, CB Ronald Darby, TE Josiah Deguara, WR Devin Duvernay, OLB Trevis Gipson, QB Mac Jones
Losses: S Rayshawn Jenkins, DL Foley Fatukasi, CB Darious Wiliams
Draft class: WR Brian Thomas Jr., DT Maason Smith, CB Jarrian Jones, OT Jacon Foster, DT Jordan Jefferson, CB Deantre Prince, RB Keilan Robinson, K Cam Little, DE Myles Cole
Analysis: The Jaguars found a way to address one of their biggest needs with the addition of Armstead to their interior defensive line. They added weapons to their offense with the addition of Davis to their receiving corps and traded for Jones to be a backup for QB Trevor Lawrence.
Las Vegas Raiders
Additions: DT Christian Wilkins, QB Gardner Minshew, RB Alexander Mattison, G Cody Whitehair, TE Harrison Bryant, T/G Andrus Peat, WR Jalen Guyton
Losses: DT Bilal Nichols, RB Josh Jacobs, TE Austin Hooper
Draft class: TE Brock Bowers, G Jackson Powers-Johnson, T DJ Glaze, CB Decamerion Richardson, LB Tommy Eichenberg, RB Dylan Laube, S Trey Taylor, CB M.J. Devonshire
Analysis: After finishing second in the AFC West with an 8-9 record, the Raiders greatly improved their pass rush with the addition of Wilkins on the interior next to edge rusher Maxx Crosby and DE Malcolm Koonce. They also reworked their run game with the addition of Mattison in the backfield alongside RB Zamir White.
Baltimore Ravens
Additions: RB Derrick Henry, OT Josh Jones, ILB Chris Board, CB Ka'Dar Hollman
Losses: RB J.K. Dobbins, OLB Jadeveon Clowney, CB Ronald Darby, WR Devin Duvernay, RB Gus Edwards, QB Tyler Huntley, OL Sam Mustipher, LS Tyler Ott, ILB Del'Shawn Phillips, ILB Patrick Queen, OL John Simpson, S Geno Stone, CB Rock Ya-Sin, OL Kevin Zeitler
Draft class: CB Nate Wiggins, T Roger Rosengarten, CB T.J. Tampa, C Nick Samac, S Sanoussi Kane, OLB Adisa Isaac, WR Devontez Walker, RB Rasheen Ali, QB Devin Leary
Analysis: The Ravens took their run game to the next level with the addition of Henry, as his 8,268 rushing yards are the most in the NFL since 2018. Pairing Henry with dual-threat QB Lamar Jackson who can also run the ball, as he has 5,258 rushing yards since 2018 – the most by a quarterback over that same amount of time – creates a dynamic look for the Ravens' offense.
New Orleans Saints
Additions: DE Chase Young, OT Olisaemeka Udoh, LB Khaleke Hudson, WR Cedrick Wilson Jr., QB Nathan Peterman, WR Stanley Morgan Jr., LB Willie Gay
Losses: CB Lonnie Johnson Jr., CB Isaac Yiadom, QB Jameis Winston
Draft class: T Taliese Fuaga, QB Spencer Rattler, WR Bub Means, LB Jaylan Ford, DT Khristian Boyd, T Josiah Ezirim
Analysis: The Saints addressed a critical need to improve their 28th ranked pass rush with the addition of DE Chase Young to the roster. The Saints are also working to implement more of a physically imposing offense, allowing them to use QB Derek Carr's athleticism. The additions of Wilson and Morgan give Carr more passing options in the offense.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Additions: QB Russell Wilson, QB Justin Fields, P Cameron Johnston, LB Patrick Queen, CB Donte Jackson, S DeShon Elliott, WR Van Jefferson, WR Quez Watkins, KR Cordarrelle Patterson, QB Kyle Allen, DT Dean Lowry
Losses: WR Diontae Johnson
Draft class: OT Troy Fautanu, C Zach Frazier, WR Roman Wilson, LB Payton Wilson, OG Mason McCormick, DE Logan Lee, DB Ryan Watts
Analysis: The Steelers' offense will have a much different feel for the 2024 season with the change at the helm of the offense. They first traded for QB Justin Fields and signed veteran QB Russell Wilson. They also made a big move on the defensive side of the ball with the addition of the top inside linebacker free agent in Queen to their roster. Finishing third in the AFC North with a 10-7 record right behind the Browns, the division rival could have a different feel this season with the new additions to the roster.
