There must have been something about June 19th. Something about the day which gave Cleveland Browns linebacker Christian Kirksey a renewed sense of vigor upon awaking. Such an uplifting mood that he took to his verified Twitter account and predicted some big things for the Browns in 2018.
Not just one victory, something they failed to accomplish last season.
Not just a few wins.
Not a winning season.
How about a playoff berth.
Woke up this morning letting yal know Browns will be in the playoffs this year! Remember this tweet #Cleveland
— Christian Kirksey (@Kirko58) June 19, 2018
Most will laugh off Kirksey’s prediction, but I decided to think about whether this was possible. No, not if an 0-16 team can turn their entire organization around into a playoff team the following year, but have the Browns done enough to increase their odds of not just competing in the AFC North, but in the AFC Playoff Picture?
The Browns were huge players in free agency, bringing in players like Mychal Kendricks, Tyrod Taylor and Jarvis Landry, but their 2018 NFL Draft haul was equally impressive. Baker Mayfield was the top overall pick, and it seemed as if the Browns had multiple picks in every round following.
New general manager John Dorsey has thrown away all of the garbage theories produced by those before him, and started to put together something which actually resembles a competitive NFL roster.
But can they win now, and not just years down the road?
While I think a playoff berth is a little lofty for the 2018 season, I see the Browns as being anything but a pushover this year, and in the future. Dorsey, seemingly in one offseason, has turned the Browns’ outlook from a negative into a positive one.
Is it possible for Kirksey’s prediction to come true? Can they beat the Steelers, Ravens and Bengals to compete in the AFC North? Will they be able to snag a playoff spot? Let us know in the comment section below!