Quarterback:
The Browns used three players over the course of the season with varying amounts of success
Brian Hoyer won all three of his starts,but suffered a season-ending injury in the third (Brandon Weeden finished up).
That injury might have been the turning point of the season for the Browns and not just for the won/loss record.
Hoyer's injury kept the Browns from knowing just what the team had in him and therefore not knowing for sure if they need to invest a high pick on a quarterback.
Hoyer will likely be given every chance to start next season.
Jason Campbell won just one game in his starts,but did catch a bad break or two due to things beyond his control.
Campbell's work ranged from tremendous to bad and I would suspect with the team wanting to draft a quarterback or two that the veteran spot will likely go to Hoyer.
Campbell played well enough to find a place in the league,but that place will likely not be in Cleveland.
Brandon Weeden's numbers weren't awful (9 TD 9 INT) ,but his play was with some of the most ridiculous plays that you can imagine when games are won and lost.
Weeden will be likely released as I cannot imagine anyone trading anything of value when you see his rookie contract and performance.
Group grade: D+
Running Backs
The Trent Richardson trade proved to be a good one,but the Browns never truly addressed the need at the position after the deal.
Willis McGahee was signed after the trade and showed that he was washed up while Chris Ogbonnaya was miscast at fullback and suffered some key fumbles.
Ogbonnaya should be a third pass pass catching back,yet the Browns insisted on using him at fullback for most of the season.
Fozzy Whitaker did not shine in limited action,but I did like what I saw for Edwin Baker in a late season cameo after being signed from Houston.
I liked Baker coming out of Michigan State and think he should get a shot in camp next year.
Group Grade:D
Wide Receivers
Josh Gordon was the AFC's version of Calvin Johnson,dominating games even when defenses were totally keyed on stopping him.
I'm drooling at what Gordon could do with a decent QB throwing to him and a threat on the other side.
It's a good thing the Browns had Gordon because they got nothing from anyone else.
Davone Bess was traded for and given a large contract because of his great hands in Miami.
In Cleveland,he led the league in drops and handed the Chiefs a game with a fumbled punt before off the field issues that basically saw him quit the team.
I hope Bess does not return,but his contract might mean he will unless the Browns can get breach of contract for his leaving the team.
Greg Little continued to show tremendous physical skills and continued to drop the football.
Little might be better served with a fresh start and at least should not be counted on as the number two receiver next season.
Only Travis Benjamin before his injury and Josh Cooper late in the season were other Browns wideouts to notch catches in the season.
Group Grade: A because of the stunning maturation of Josh Gordon...
Tight End
Jordan Cameron finally turned his physical skills into production with a 80 catch season.
Cameron still has work to do as he seemed to have better chemistry with Brandon Weeden of all people than Jason Campbell,
I still think Cameron has even more room to improve and if he does,he might be the AFC's answer to Jimmy Graham.
Gary Barnridge was a decent enough backup,but nothing special while Mar'Quis Gray was the developmental project at tight end along with fullback and wildcat quarterback.
Group Grade: B
Offensive Line.
Two Pro Bowlers on the line indicates a better line than it truly was.
Joe Thomas was not as good as usual at left tackle although a down year for Thomas is a top of the line year for most.
John Greco was surprisingly good again at left guard beside Thomas and Alex Mack was strong up the middle at center.
Mack will likely leave via free agency,so that will leave a huge gap to be filled.
Shaun Lauvao continues to disappoint at left guard and needs to be replaced.
Mitchell Schwartz regressed at right tackle and might not have a future in Cleveland considering he was selected by the past regime.
Garrett Gilkey showed signs of ability after being a late round pick and Jason Pinkston might be better next season after he has fully recovered from his 2012 battle with blood clots..
Group Grade: C
I'll be doing the defense sometime next week....
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