The Cleveland Browns are rebuilding once again, and in this year, they turn to another new quarterback in Robert Griffin III, another new head coach in Hue Jackson, and a revamped group of wide receivers and aerial threats to help ease the growing pains.

To many, it seems as though the Browns have been rebuilding since 1999, with the lone playoff appearance in 2002 and the last winning season in 2007. The upcoming 2016 campaign should feel no different, but Cleveland is a young, hungry team finally ready to lay a solid foundation upon which to rebuild.

Quite the lackluster 2015 to look back on

The Browns gave Johnny Manziel's tumultuous career one last chance in 2015, and although the former Texas A&M standout made his fair share of plays at quarterback, he proved he needed to improve off the field and is now a free agent working his way to a college degree back at his alma mater. Meanwhile, Josh McCown displayed some of the better football we've seen from him, throwing for over 2,000 yards, but injuries kept him sidelined for half the season.

On defense, the team took a few steps back. It finished close to last in the league in the passing game and 27th-worst in total yards allowed, while Pro Bowl cornerback Joe Haden had his most difficult season to date.

Those who thought the Browns would turn the corner last year were wrong. The team finished with a humble 3-13 record - good enough to snag the second-overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.

Offseason moves

A lot of things went well for the Browns during the offseason, but things still could have turned out better.

The biggest addition to the roster was former Baylor prodigy and second overall selection Robert Griffin III, a quarterback who didn't take a single snap under center for the Washington Redskins last season but who insists along with the Browns organization that he has a lot left to offer.

The former Offensive Rookie of the Year showed glimpses of his former ways during the preseason, connecting on long touchdown passes to wideouts Josh Gordon and Terrelle Pryor in Week 2. Pryor was acquired in 2015 but used the offseason to bolster his skill set and make himself a much more polished and versatile offensive threat.

Corey Coleman poses for photos with comissioner Roger Goodell (Jon Durr - Getty Images)
Corey Coleman poses for photos with commissioner Roger Goodell. | Jon Durr - Getty Images

The Browns did lose quite a few veteran playmakers to free agency, namely wide receivers Travis Benjamin and Brian Hartline, linebacker Karlos Dansby, safeties TeShaun Gipson and Donte Whitner, and long-time center Alex Mack. Cleveland also released linebacker Paul Kruger and traded away linebacker Barkevious Mingo and cornerback Justin Gilbert, both former first-round draft selections.

Trading down to gather ammunition for the next two NFL Drafts, Cleveland was still able to do a superb job in replenishing its wide receiving corps, drafting Baylor wideout Corey Coleman with their first selection. Coleman was chosen over Ole Miss receiver Laquon Treadwell and is already drawing rave reviews from the Browns' coaching staff and analysis for his performances thus far.

Cleveland added a pair of defensive ends, Emmanuel Ogbah and Carl Nassib, in the second and third rounds, and stockpiled offensive weapons with the selections of offensive tackle Shon Coleman and quarterback Cody Kessler in the third round and receiver Ricardo Louis out of Auburn in the fourth. The Browns ended up with a total of five new receiving options by the time they had used up all their selections.

Strengths, weaknesses, and what to watch for

Josh Gordon and Andrew Hawkins celebrate Josh Gordon's 43-yard touchdown catch preseason wk 3 (Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP)
Josh Gordon and Andrew Hawkins celebrate Gordon's 43-yard touchdown catch during Week 3 of preseason action. | Photo: Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press

The receiving corps could finally be this team's strength and a force not to be taken lightly by opponents. Adding Coleman and Pryor, a QB-turned-receiver, provides quite a bit to be optimistic about for the Browns and lots for opposing defenses to have a hard time predicting. Not to mention that Josh Gordon, who racked up over 1,600 yards in 14 games in 2013, returns in Week 5 after serving a long-term suspension. Gordon showed glimpses of his past strengths with a 43-yard touchdown grab over Tampa Bay Buccaneers corner Brent Grimes in Week 3 of preseason play.

Robert Griffin III is obviously the spotlight player on the offense. He was solid in his four preseason starts and looks like he may be back to the form that earned him Rookie of the Year honors in 2013. 

Defensive draft selections Emmanuel Ogbah and Carl Nassib are worth keeping an eye out for after extraordinary preseason displays. Ogbah finished the preseason with 12 tackles and two sacks while Nassib forced a fumble and recorded two sacks as well. Nassib batted down a key third-down pass in Week 4 against the Chicago Bears.

Final predictions

The Browns are starting from scratch again this season from top to bottom with the appointments of Sashi Brown and Andrew Berry in the front office as well as Hue Jackson to manage the team's revamped on-field personnel.

They will feel some growing pains and the fans will need to stay patient for another year. 2016 is not the year, but it has been and will continue to be the most productive spell of the rebuilding process in quite some time. Robert Griffin III will be a positive change for the offensive at QB, but the offensive line won't do him any favors with Cameron Erving in for Alex Mack at center.

There's lots of young talent in Cleveland to look forward to for future playoff runs, but for now, with the defense a complete overhaul following many major departures, this season will be another rocky road for the Browns. 

Don't worry, Browns fans. The time is coming. And there will be glimmers of hope this upcoming 16-game trek. Enjoy this team for what it is.

Final prediction: 4-12

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About the author
Isiah Mowery
My name is Isiah Mowery and I am the lead Browns journalist for VAVEL USA. I am currently a Cleveland State University majoring in Journalism and Promotional Communication. My goal is to one day be the chief editor for the Cleveland Browns.