Despite starting five different quarterbacks in the 2023 season, largely due to the season-ending shoulder injury to Deshaun Watson, the Cleveland Browns still managed to scrape out 11 wins on the year.
This year, the Browns are hoping for much better health from Watson, but they did add a top-of-the-market backup quarterback in Jameis Winston just in case of another repeat of a year ago. Entering the 2024 season, barring more than one injury in the room again, the Browns have set up a much stronger contingency plan under center.
Where does their quarterback room rank among all 32 teams in the NFL, however? ESPN’s Mike Clay released a projections guide for the 2024 season and laid out the foundation of his rankings. Here is where Clay has Watson and the Browns falling amongst the rest of the league.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew II (10) sits on the bench during the fourth quarter Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023, during a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) walks off the field after a 25-23 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at MetLife Stadium on Monday, Nov. 2, 2020, in East Rutherford.
Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis (8) gets up after being sacked by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a loss of yards during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023.
Oregon quarterback Bo Nix leaps into the end zone for a touchdown as the No. 9 Oregon Ducks host Washington State Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore.
Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy celebrates a play against Alabama during overtime of the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024.
Apr 25, 2024; Detroit, MI, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye reacts after being selected by the New England Patriots as the No. 3 pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 26, 2024; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears first round draft choices Rome Odunze (left) and Caleb Williams (right) pose for photos at a press conference at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) drops back to pass against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) warms up before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) passes against the Carolina Panthers during the second half at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) drops back to pass the ball in the first quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) hands the ball off to running back Deon Jackson (35) in the first quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) lines up under center against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fourth quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) throws dueling the first half against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) against the Los Angeles Rams in the first half at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Nov. 26, 2023.
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) yells after wide receiver Christian Kirk (13), not shown, caught a pass for a touchdown score during the second quarter of an NFL football matchup Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jacksonville Jaguars defeated the Indianapolis Colts 37-20.
Dec 24, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) looks on after the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) celebrates after running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) runs for a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 27, 2017; Kissimmee, FL, USA; NFC quarterback Kirk Cousins of the Washington Redskins (8) throws a pass during practice for the 2017 Pro Bowl at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10)reacts following a fourth quarter touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers during their football game Sunday, November 19, 2023, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers defeated the Chargers 23-20.
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Nov 5, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) reacts after a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) runs to the locker room after the game of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 34-3. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Dec 10, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) throws against the Denver Broncos during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JANUARY 06: C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans runs on the field during the fourth quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 06, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Dec 10, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) passes against the Baltimore Ravens during the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jessica Rapfogel-USA TODAY Sports
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) warms-up before the NFL game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Dec. 24, 2023.
(Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)
Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon (28) and Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) share a laugh on their way to the locker room at the conclusion of a a Week 3 NFL football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals, Monday, Sept. 25, 2023, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati. The Cincinnati Bengals won, 19-16.
Jan 20, 2024; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) reacts after running past for Houston Texans defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins (98) for a touchdown during the fourth quarter in a 2024 AFC divisional round game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) celebrates his 81 yard touchdown pass to Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir (10).
Nov 5, 2023; Frankfurt, Germany, ; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) runs with the ball against the Miami Dolphins in the second quarter during an NFL International Series game at Deutsche Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports