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Derek Anderson was 10-5 as starter in 2007, throwing for 29 TDs and 19 interceptions.

EXPERTS' PICKS

The Browns finished second in the AFC North last season with a 10-6 record. For AFC North coverage, visit James Walker's AFC North blog. | Discuss Browns | MAG Preview

ANALYST	PREDICTION
Jeffri Chadiha ESPN.com	DIVISION FINISH: 2   They were good enough to win 10 games in 2007. They'll carry that momentum to a wild-card spot this fall, even with a daunting schedule on the horizon.
John Clayton ESPN.com	DIVISION FINISH: 2  On paper, the Browns might have passed the Steelers with upgrades to their offense and their run-stopping ability through the additions of Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams. But poor preseason showings make you wonder whether the team is looking too much at its press clippings from the 2007 10-win season.
Tim Graham ESPN.com	DIVISION FINISH: 1  They have a grueling schedule, but so do the other teams in the division. They have all the pieces to not only reach the playoffs but also make a deep run.
Jeremy Green Scouts Inc.	DIVISION FINISH: 1  Expectations are as high as they have ever been in Cleveland after a 10-6 performance in 2007. The offense carried this team last season, but I think it will be an improved defense that will carry the Browns to their first division title since reentering the NFL.
Paul Kuharsky ESPN.com	DIVISION FINISH: 2  With the big expectations comes a dip in the standings. Not completely sold on the starting quarterback. I like the Browns -- in 2009.
Matt Mosley ESPN.com	DIVISION FINISH: 1  In the past, this would have seemed like a reach, but Cleveland is coming off a 10-6 season and its defense received a significant upgrade. Phil Savage suddenly is the toast of the town.
Mike Sando ESPN.com	DIVISION FINISH: 2  The Browns won't surprise anyone this season, and Derek Anderson must prove he's more than a one-year wonder. Issues at cornerback raise concerns.
Kevin Seifert ESPN.com	DIVISION FINISH: 2  Can the defense catch up to the offense? That's a big question.
James Walker ESPN.com	DIVISION FINISH: 2  The Browns are deep and a trendy AFC playoff pick. But Cleveland must handle great expectations and a much tougher schedule in 2008. Still, expect a wild-card spot.
Seth Wickersham ESPN The Magazine	DIVISION FINISH: 1  The offense is loaded, and the defense is solid enough to put the Browns in the playoffs.
Bill Williamson ESPN.com	DIVISION FINISH: 2  The Browns are not going to sneak up on anybody this year, and that might hurt them. There is a ton of young talent on this team, but it still might not be playoff ready.
Matt Williamson Scouts Inc.	DIVISION FINISH: 2  Cleveland is good enough to get to the postseason, but its schedule is very difficult, and it is tough to project two AFC North teams getting into the playoffs. It would not be surprising to see QB Brady Quinn at some point.
Pat Yasinskas ESPN.com	DIVISION FINISH: 2  I'll buy the hype once they show they can win games consistently. But the Browns are going for it now after trading away most of their draft picks, and the gamble could pay off.
	CONSENSUS DIVISION FINISH: 2 | NFL standings

BEST OF THE BROWNS

Best offensive player: Tackle Joe Thomas. It sounds strange to name a left tackle Cleveland's best offensive player, but Joe Thomas is a special talent. A Pro Bowler as a rookie, Thomas deserves as much credit as anyone for Cleveland's offensive success in 2007.

Best defensive player: Safety Sean Jones. Jones is a good safety but has yet to take his game to the point at which he can be considered an elite safety. The Browns do not have many playmakers defensively, so Jones is the closest thing. Newly acquired defensive linemen Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams both have talent, but until they play with the Browns, it is unknown how they will fit in.

Best playmaker: Wide receiver Braylon Edwards. He's coming off a 16-touchdown performance in 2007, and few receivers made more big plays last season. The former No. 3 overall pick wins a majority of jump-ball situations and is tough to bring down after the catch.

Best clutch player: Tight end Kellen Winslow. Edwards and tailback Jamal Lewis get most of the hype, but Winslow is the player Cleveland goes to when it needs a big catch. Winslow has some of the best hands in the league and is fearless going over the middle. He also draws enough attention to keep double teams away from Edwards.

Best unheralded player: Kick and punt returner Joshua Cribbs. Cribbs is the AFC's version of the Chicago Bears' Devin Hester. Often called "the 12th player on offense," Cribbs consistently gives the Browns good field position and is a threat to take it to the house every time. He also covers kicks extremely well.

-- James Walker, ESPN.com

SCOUTS INC.'S FAB FIVE

Scouts Inc. has evaluated and graded more than 2,400 NFL players heading into the 2008 season, giving Insiders a leg up on the competition with exclusive grades, alerts and scouting reports.
Top five players on the roster	ANALYSIS
1. Joe Thomas Offensive tackle 6-6 | 305	(Grade: 94) After just one year in the league, he already ranks among the best offensive linemen and top left tackles in the game. He has great height, long arms, big hands and a strong frame. He is a special player.
2. Braylon Edwards Wide receiver 6-3 | 215	(93) He is a very good deep threat who uses his body and exceptional ball skills very well deep downfield. Edwards has exceptional leaping ability and is fluid and athletic in all his movements.
3. Kellen Winslow Tight end 6-4 | 250	(89) He is fluid in all his movements yet explosive out of his cuts. He uses his body well to keep smaller defenders from the football, especially in the red zone. He is remarkably competitive and tough.
4. Eric Steinbach Guard 6-6 | 295	(83) He is a taller guard with long limbs but lacks top-notch overall bulk. He gets out into space effortlessly, is quick to recover once beaten and has good pure speed and change-of-direction skills.
5. Kamerion Wimbley Linebacker 6-3 | 255	(83) He relies too much on his pure speed rush but has a formidable dip-under move. Wimbley has an athletic, tapered build and long arms. He is fast and makes plenty of plays in pursuit.
Player grading scale: Elite (90-100), outstanding (80-89), solid starter (75-79), good starter (70-74)

SCOUTS INC.'S ANALYSIS

Best play option TE Kellen Winslow has amazing skills as a receiver. Here's how the Browns take advantage of them. More best plays

Strengths

Offensive line: The Browns have the best offensive line in the league. It is talented and deep with an excellent blend of youth and experience. LT Joe Thomas is the standout, but LG Eric Steinbach also has been a terrific acquisition following the 2006 season. This left side rarely needs extra help in pass protection and is extremely athletic. It is explosive, and Thomas and Steinbach have nearly flawless technique. The Browns like to run behind the duo in crucial situations. With a line like this, many problems simply go away and average players look like stars.

Offensive weapons: Few teams in the league can match the Browns' offensive weapons. WR Braylon Edwards and TE Kellen Winslow are nightmares to game plan against, and the addition of WR Donte' Stallworth will stretch defenses and make more room for his teammates.

Defensive line: What was once a massive weakness is now a strength. Newcomers Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams have been inconsistent at times, but both are capable of holding the point of attack or disrupting plays in the backfield. Robaire Smith and Shaun Smith are not household names, but both are solid contributors and their production should only increase alongside Rogers and Williams.

Weaknesses

Cornerback depth: Few fans know about starting CBs Brandon McDonald and Eric Wright, but both youngsters came on strong in 2007 and should only be better going forward with an improved Browns pass rush. However, Daven Holly already has been lost for the season, and having more than two suitable corners has become essential. Look for teams like Pittsburgh and Cincinnati to consistently use multiple-receiver sets against the Browns.

Health: The Browns were very fortunate in 2007 in terms of avoiding injuries. Chances are their health will return to being closer to the mean this season. All it will take is an injury or two coupled with a tougher schedule and higher expectations, and Cleveland could be in for a season of letdowns.

Edge pass-rushers: Willie McGinest has value for his ability to stop the run and, more importantly, for his leadership, but he isn't the threat off the edge to complement Kamerion Wimbley that the Browns ideally need. Antwaan Peek has excellent first-step quickness, but he is tough to count on because he recently had knee surgery and might not be ready for the start of the season.

Scouts Inc. watches games, breaks down film and studies football from all angles.