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The Browns ranked 21st in the league after allowing nearly 250 passing yards per game. That middling number looks even worse when you consider how often opponents with a sizable lead would turn to the run in order to grind time from the clock. They also allowed opposing quarterbacks to post a 101.8 rating madden 20 coins — a mark slightly higher than Drew Brees' season total.Cleveland has taken fewer steps to address that problem. One hope is Joe Haden regaining his Pro Bowl form, though injuries have limited him to just 18 games the past two seasons and may have stolen a step.

The team's biggest acquisition to the unit is McCourty, a valuable veteran presence, but one who was cut by the secondary-needy Titans this spring. He'll be 30 in August.Jabrill Peppers will have the chance to crop up on SportsCenter's top 10 throughout his rookie season, but questions still linger over whether he can be an effective full-time safety after playing 11 different positions at Michigan. Fourth-round pick Howard Wilson is an intriguing prospect, but in true franchise fashion, broke his kneecap hours after signing his rookie contract.The Browns will follow the Giants' blueprint of building a dominant pass rush to relieve pressure from its corners and safeties. The blue chip pass rushers are in place.

Now they just need to live up to their lofty expectations. Cleveland will be competitive, but won't compete for a playoff spotThe Browns have improved significantly on paper, but there are too many holes in this 1-15 team to engineer a one-season turnaround — especially with a franchise defined by its futility. The early predictions back that up. USA Today pegs the team at a 4-12 year, identical to seasons in 2013, 2011, and 2008. Madden NFL Outsiders raises the bar to 5-11. In either case, the Browns fail to float out cheap madden nfl 20 coins of the AFC North basement.Cleveland put together one of its strongest offseasons by adding flashy players in the draft and backing them with meat-and-potatoes veterans in free agency.

The result should be a depth chart crossed with intriguing young talent and experienced leaders. While many eyes will be on another season of quarterback roulette, the Browns are doing the work behind the scenes to lay the foundation for success.Joe Thomas knows it.