With the level of talent the Cleveland Browns have on the defensive side of the ball, they are in a very unique position to have enough talent to keep them in games, but not enough to actually contend for the playoffs or the division. This most recent season, many were hoping that the Browns would end up with the first pick in the draft, but they ultimately secured the sixth pick.

In some ways, it is easier to be in the position where you are in a complete rebuild because you are put in a better draft position to acquire those assets and aren’t strapped with such massive contracts. Cleveland isn’t necessarily ready to win now, but their very talented defense is getting older and may experience turnover at some point. Myles Garrett is 30 years old, and Denzel Ward is 28 years old. They will not have players like that in their prime forever, and the defensive dominance will certainly decline as they do.

The two Super Bowl participants, for example, were bad enough to earn two top-five picks (New England Patriots) and had a bad enough roster to spend over $200 million in NFL free agency last year (both the Seattle Seahawks and Patriots).

The team has enjoyed more stability over the past six years than at any point since returning to Cleveland in 1999, but stability does not necessarily translate to success. There is no easy escape from this purgatory, but the team must hope to land impactful offensive weapons and the right head coach this offseason to become a real contender.