Check out all of our 2009 NFL team previews.

Offseason Additions: Eric Barton (LB); Kenyon Coleman (DE); Abram Elam (S); Floyd Womack (OT); C.J. Mosley (DE); Robert Royal (TE); John St. Clair (OT); Mike Fuerry (WR); Corey Ivy (CB).

Offseason Losses: Kellen Winslow Jr. (TE); Sean Jones (S); Kevin Shaffer (OT); Andra Davis (LB); Willie McGinest (LB); Joe Jurevicius (WR); Travis Daniels (CB); Daven Holly (CB); Jason Wright (RB); Antwan Peek (LB).

Player to Watch: James Davis, RB.
People outside of Cleveland just said to themselves, “James who?” The rookie sixth round pick out of Clemson wasn’t supposed to challenge Jamal Lewis for the Browns’ starting running back job, but that’s exactly what he has done to this point. Cleveland’s coaching staff has reportedly been impressed by Davis’s speed, elusiveness and aggressive running style. But perhaps most importantly, the Browns are thrilled with the way he’s learned how to pick up the blitz, which is a craft most rookie running backs struggle with. To date, Davis has compiled a 7.8-yard per carry average in preseason, while Lewis has only mustered a paltry 2.6 YPC. If he doesn’t flat out take the starting job away from Lewis, Davis will certainly split carries this season and could emerge as the Browns’ every down back in the very near future.

Team Strength: Just as it was in 2007 when the Browns came up just shy of a playoff berth, the offensive line will be a strength for Cleveland this season. Even though some say that his play fell off last season compared to his dazzling rookie campaign, Joe Thomas anchors a unit that also features one of the league’s best guards in Eric Steinbach. The Browns also selected the top center prospect in this year’s draft in Alex Mack, who has already beaten out Hank Fraley to become a starter. Neither Floyd Womack nor John St. Clair is a superstar at their positions, but both have starting experience and are versatile.

Potential Weakness: The Browns are hoping that strength is in numbers, because they’re trying out four different players opposite Braylon Edwards for the No. 2 wideout position. Rookies Brian Robiskie and Mohamed Massaquoi, as well as veterans Mike Furrey and Joshua Cribbs are all getting a look at the No. 2 spot, although nobody has emerged from the pack yet. Chances are that the team will use a rotation at the position, which would be fine at the start of the season but eventually the Browns are going to need someone to step up. Speaking of Edwards, he’s in a contract year so maybe he’ll look more like the ’07 version and less like every other season he’s been in the league when he couldn’t catch a cold. If Robiskie, Massaquoi, Fuerry or Cribbs emerges as a playmaker and Edwards steps up his play, receiver won’t be a problem this season for the Browns. But as it stands now, it’s a question mark for this team.

Outlook: Eric Mangini worked wonders in his first year with the Jets, so maybe he’ll have the same magic this season in Cleveland. But first and foremost, he needs to make a decision at quarterback. It appears that Brady Quinn will be the starter this season, although Mangini has been reluctant to officially choose him over Derek Anderson. Whether it’s Quinn or Anderson, the QB should be well protected by a solid offensive line. If Davis can continue to flash the same potential in the regular season as he did in preseason, then the Browns should be fine at running back. If not, Mangini better hope that Lewis has one more productive season in his 30-year old legs. Defensively, the line added a quality piece in Kenyon Coleman, who led the Jets’ D-line in tackles last year and should be aided by defensive tackle Shaun Rogers, who had a fantastic ’08 season after coming over from Detroit. At linebacker, new addition Eric Barton should pair nicely with D’Qwell Jackson on the inside, although this team needs to generate more of a pass rush from its front seven and maybe Kameron Wimbley and Alex Hall will help. The coaching staff has high hopes for cornerbacks Eric Wright and Brandon McDonald, but both players need to shake off poor second half performances from a year ago. The Browns also made a highly underrated move on draft day when they acquired safety Abram Elam from the Jets.

There’s no doubt that this team has sleeper-potential, but a lot has to come together for the Browns to challenge for a playoff berth. Whether it comes from Quinn or Anderson, Cleveland must get better play from the quarterback position and they also need some of the young skill position players on offense to step up. Considering how tough their division is, the Browns are going to struggle to keep their head above water for a full 16-game season. But there’s no doubt that this team will be more competitive this year than they were in 2008.

2009 Prediction: 3rd, AFC North.