Surprising in some areas,deficient in others,but a group that has established a foundation to build on for the overall future...
The defensive line struggled with injuries all season and that's too bad as they should have been pretty good at top throttle.
Desmond Bryant was the healthiest and most consistent and finished with five sacks.
Armonty Bryant was playing very well when he went down with a knee injury and Phil Taylor was effective stuffing the run until his season ending injury,
Billy Winn shows promise and John Hughes missed a lot of time with injury,but showed me lots of toughness in returning to play in the final meaningless game when he didn't have to.
Ahtyba Rubin was disappointing and might be ready to go elsewhere and Ishmaaa'ly Kitchen is just another depth lineman.
The Browns finished last in the league against the run and while the loss of Phil Taylor helped that number stay so low,Cleveland still could use a big and physical lineman
The line also needs to generate more of a pass rush and I think the Browns might be interested in adding another end and a tackle in the draft and free agency.
The linebackers were a much improved unit over last year and could have been the most improved period.
Paul Kruger rebounded from a disappointing first season and was a strong pass rusher as Kruger finished with 11 sacks.
The other outside backers weren't as productive as Jabaal Sheard continued to struggle in his move from end.
Sheard is a free agent and will likely to find a team that will use him at defensive end.
Former first rounder Barkevious Mingo still was not a breakout player,but in his defense,Mingo played the entire season with a torn bicep,so I am willing to give him a pass.
Outside linebacker is a definite need,even if just for depth after the loss of Sheard.
The inside backers were better as Karlos Dansby did exactly what he was signed to do with veteran leadership and strong tackling.
Craig Robertson was greatly improved ,especially against the pass,where Robertson struggled against in the past and rookie Christian Kirksey played well and looks to be a contributor for quite a while...
The secondary was improved as was expected before the season,but not for the reasons that I thought that they would be,
Joe Haden continues to build a All-Pro resume' with what I thought was his best season yet on the corner and Buster Skrine had his best season as well.
Skrine struggles with bigger receivers and I still think he would be better served covering someone in the slot,but Skrine gets better every year.
Skrine is a free agent,so it'll be interesting to see how highly the Browns consider retaining him
The Browns expected to be able to move Skrine to the slot after installing a rookie corner.
The surprise was that the rookie to make his presence felt was free agent signee K'Waun Williams,who played very well until a late season injury.
Williams might be able make Skrine move to the slot next season,should he return as Williams was that impressive.
First round draft pick Justin Gilbert had his occasional victories (a pick six),but more often was uninspired,beaten and had off the field issues all contributed to making his rookie year an extremely disappointing one.
I wouldn't be ready to write Gilbert off yet,but he might need a boot camp style intervention in order to turn his career around.
Donte Whitner was very similar to Karlos Dansby as the Browns got exactly what they hoped for with his signing.
Whitner's partner Tayshaun Gipson had six interceptions when his season ended due to injury and looked to have a chance at making some all-pro teams when the injury occurred.
Jordan Poyer will be the only returning backup safety as steady veteran Jim Leonhard announced his retirement after the season...
The Browns defense had its ups and downs,but I am encouraged entering 2015.
They need some reinforcements,especially on the defensive line,but the defense shows promise for the future..
Grades
Defensive Line:C-
Linebackers B-
Secondary B
Back later with the special teams and a grade for the coaches/front office
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