With an ADP of 26 among team defenses (341st overall), the Browns are getting no respect whatsoever. This despite ending the 2009 season tied for 11th in fantasy defense scoring, which included 40 sacks (good for 8th best in the league).
More impressive, they did all this without their top defensive player, D'Qwell Jackson. Jackson is back in 2010, and likely to have a chip on his shoulder.
Last season the Browns got a new defensive coordinator in Rob Ryan (son of Buddy Ryan, whose famed "46" defense helped lead the 1985 Chicago Bears to win Super Bowl XX with a 46-10 defeat of the New England Patriots).
Ryan saw his D make solid strides in 2009, and that should continue in 2010.
As bad as the Cleveland Browns are offensively, the defense will be on the field often, which means more opportunities for big plays.
They get to play the division rival Steelers twice, as they always do. Last season, Big Ben and the Steeler's woeful offensive line surrendered 11 sacks to the Browns.
Then there's special teams. Last season the Browns returned 4 kicks for touchdowns. Joshua Cribbs is a threat to score every time he gets the ball in his hands.
Are the Browns likely to be a Top 12 scoring defense again in 2010? Probably not, but they should be in the top 20. So if you're in a deeper league, or looking for a team to spot start, the Browns are a good defense to keep tabs on.
