NFL power lists, excluding QBs, put Browns near the top

There are a wide variety of ways to evaluate NFL rosters. Most believe the league is defined by the trio of head coach, offensive player and quarterback. That's not to say other teams can't be good, but without good people at all three positions, the NFL becomes a lot tougher.

This offseason, the Cleveland Browns lost a decent number of instant players leaving the 2023 NFL playoff roster. It has been noted that the top three players on the Browns roster are on the defensive side of the ball and the group this year could use another tight end.

Despite all of this, Pro Football Network rates Cleveland's roster highly. In an exercise to rank each team's roster excluding their quarterback, PFN has the Browns ranked second overall. While the offensive line is considered the team's strength, Cleveland's noted weakness is barely more than a weakness:

R.B. The Browns don't have any real weaknesses outside of quarterback — which is why it will be so frustrating for Cleveland fans if Watson struggles or gets injured again next season. We listed the running back because Nick Chubb (knee) may not be ready for Week 1. Even then, the Browns have Jerome Ford and added D'Onta Foreman and Nyheim Hines during the offseason.

The only team ranked higher than Cleveland is the San Francisco 49ers.

Among the AFC North, the Cincinnati Bengals are the second-highest rated team, with the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers back to back in the mid-teens. The division has four of the top 14 rosters in the NFL according to PFN.

As noted at the beginning, the quarterback position is obviously critical to success in the NFL. This is why Browns fans are waiting to get excited about 2024 until they see Deshaun Watson play well for several weeks in a row. If he can, even if he's not at his best with the Houston Texans, Cleveland's ceiling will be the Super Bowl. If he can't, or doesn't stay healthy, the Browns roster is so good the team will still be a playoff contender.

Are you surprised by the near-universal praise the Browns roster has received this offseason? Aside from the concern about Watson, what do you think is the biggest weakness on the roster?

Share your thoughts with other Browns fans in the comments section below