Editor's note: Tony Grossi covers the Cleveland Browns for ESPN 850 WKNR.

Rack ‘em: As a consequence of the Browns’ historic 0-16 season, our annual player rankings take on a slightly different format from the norm.

In the past, we have ranked the players from top to bottom based on contributions and production measured against role, playing time and opportunities.

This time, we have separated the final roster into three groups: Keepers, Suspects, and Players Not Rated.

The Keepers are the players that make up the nucleus of the team. These were the top performers in 2017.

The Suspects may have had prominent roles in 2017, but could have questionable futures with the club because of production or other issues.

Players Not Rated may have finished the season on the active roster, but were too limited in their opportunities to rate.

The rankings are unscientific and are exclusively my opinions.

Keepers

1. Defensive end Myles Garrett: His best play – a tip-drill Pick 6 of 42 yards – was negated by penalty. Despite five games missed with injuries, he led team with seven sacks, second among NFL rookies, and was the one defensive player to strike fear in opposing game-planners.

2. Offensive tackle Joe Thomas: Before his consecutive snaps streak was stopped at 10,363 with a torn triceps in Game 7, he was as technically sound as ever. The franchise waits with bated breath his decision on his future.

3. Middle linebacker Joe Schobert: The team’s most improved player, he took to a position change, logged every defensive snap and rallied to lead in tackles in his first season as a starter, earning a Pro Bowl alternate berth.

4. Left guard Joel Bitonio: Playing at a high level never was his problem. Significantly, he logged every snap for the first time since his rookie season in 2014.

5. Running back Duke Johnson: Despite playing only 52.9 percent of offensive snaps, he set a franchise record for backs with 74 receptions and led team with 1,041 yards from scrimmage and seven touchdowns.

6. Cornerback Jason McCourty: Provided much-needed leadership after the abrupt release of Joe Haden in August and led team in interceptions and passes defensed. Also, pointedly called out management and coaches for dissing the level of talent on the roster.

7. Defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah: Settled in as an edge-setting bookend to Garrett until a foot injury cost him the last five games. His value increased through his absence.

8. Linebacker Christian Kirksey: One of two defenders (with Schobert) to log every snap, he unofficially tied Schobert for the lead with 86 solo tackles and added 3.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.

9. Running back Isaiah Crowell: The “monster year” presaging free agency didn’t materialize. His 832 yards were a big letdown and his two touchdowns were a career low. In 64 career games with the Browns, he was given 20 rush attempts only one time (for 145 yards).

10. Wide receiver Josh Gordon: Staying eligible for five games after nearly three years of substance abuse suspensions was a triumph. His 115-yard game in Game 16 teased what could be if he can stay clean through the offseason.

11. Right guard Kevin Zeitler: His record-smashing $60 million contract was toasted by guards everywhere.

12. Linebacker Jamie Collins: Suffered a torn MCL on his first big play, an interception in Game 9. Well, that’s one dividend on that $50 million contract.

13. Quarterback DeShone Kizer: He suffered the slings and arrows of a winless season more than anyone. The fact he was standing at the end – healthy, stronger and wiser – made it a uniquely successful season for a Browns rookie quarterback.

14. Center JC Tretter: He stabilized a troublesome position by playing every snap for the first time in his career and first time for a Browns center since 2015.

15. Defensive tackle Danny Shelton: His continued “pretty good play” still doesn’t justify his No. 12 overall draft status in 2015.

16. Tight end David Njoku: His four touchdown catches exceeded Ozzie Newsome’s two as a rookie. He was third on the team with 32 receptions and finished his rookie season healthy.

17. Cornerback Brien Boddy-Calhoun: Similar season to his rookie year – without the three interceptions.

18. Punter Britton Colquitt: His 47.6 gross average and 40.6 net were franchise records.

19. Offensive tackle Shon Coleman: Started every game at right tackle in his second NFL season, and although he led the team with 10 penalties, he wasn't a liability and held his own.

20. Tight end Seth DeValve: Tied for second on team with 33 receptions, but saw end zone only one time.

21. Cornerback Jamar Taylor: Led all cornerbacks in total snaps (967) but failed to turn in an interception after big 2016 season.

22. Safety Jabrill Peppers: One interception in his last game and one decent punt return of 25 yards in a rookie year spent mostly 20 yards away from the action.

23. Offensive lineman Spencer Drango: Exceeded expectations in nine starts after replacing the fallen Thomas. If nothing else, a much stronger sixth man going forward.

24. Defensive tackle Trevon Coley: Unsung pickup led all defensive linemen in snaps and tackles.

25. Linebacker James Burgess: Succeeded the injured Collins and wound up third in tackles and tied for second with four sacks.

26. Safety Derrick Kindred: Was productive in 10 starts as an in-the-box safety; his 10 tackles-for-loss were among the best for all NFL defensive backs.

27. Kicker Zane Gonzalez: Salvaged a spotty rookie season (15 of 20 field goals) with a 51-yard make in Heinz Field in Game 16 and one from 48 in snowy conditions in Soldier Field in Game 15.

28. Defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi: A very raw football player who showed some promise in the last seven games.

29. Tight end Randall Telfer: Selected as team’s Walter Payton Man of the Year recipient for contributions on the field and in the community.

30. Long snapper Charley Hughlett: Flawless on 81 long snaps and 46 placement snaps, he added four tackles on special teams.

31. Running back Matthew Dayes: Had kickoff returns of 71 and 53 yards and was second with eight special teams tackles.

Suspects

32. Wide receiver Corey Coleman: A second season of unmet expectations was climaxed by the second-biggest dropped pass in Browns history, sealing the 16th loss in Pittsburgh. His future with the Browns is uncertain.

33. Defensive end Carl Nassib: He led all defensive linemen in snaps and was fifth in team penalties – including one that wiped out the Garrett Pick 6 in Chicago.

34. Wide receiver Rashard Higgins: He saved the best for last – his first two career touchdowns in Game 16 in Pittsburgh.

35. Defensive end Nate Orchard: Failed to take advantage of opportunities in his third year due to injuries to Garrett and Ogbah. He had two sacks in 16 games.

36. Cornerback Mike Jordan: An undrafted pickup who produced eight tackles in his only start in Game 14 against the Ravens and was active on special teams.

37. Center Austin Reiter: Saw some time as a tackle-eligible and helped spring Crowell to a 59-yard run – longest offensive play of the year.

38. Defensive tackle Jamie Meder: The hero of the lone win in two seasons had a pretty quiet year.

39. Wide receiver Ricardo Louis: His 357 receiving yards led all wide receivers, but his rock hard hands may always be a problem.

40. Defensive tackle Caleb Brantley: Late-round draft pick didn’t produce the value expected after off-the-field issue was resolved.

41. Quarterback Kevin Hogan: One turnover-riddled start in Houston seemed to doom him to quarterback protocol, meaning scout team and backup duty.

42. Fullback Danny Vitale: Hard-nosed lead blocker led team with nine special teams tackles.

43. Quarterback Cody Kessler: Gave up starting job in training camp and looked positively shell-shocked in three brief relief appearances.

44. Offensive tackle Zach Banner: Sam Darnold’s starting right tackle at USC is the biggest man on the roster.

45. Wide receiver Kasen Williams: Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman lamented his release from Seattle in September on social media. It proved much ado about nothing.

46. Offensive tackle Rod Johnson: Drafted as a hopeful heir to Thomas at left tackle, he spent the year on injured reserve with a knee injury.

47. Cornerback Howard Wilson: Fourth-round pick had Achilles injury in OTAs.

48. Wide receiver Sammie Coates: Essentially traded for Justin Gilbert, proving you get what you pay for.

Players on active roster not rated

Linebacker B.J. Bello, linebacker Jeremy Cash, safety Justin Currie, defensive end Lavar Edwards, guard Geoff Gray, wide receiver Matt Hazel, linebacker Josh Keyes, tight end Matt Lengel, guard Marcus Martin, cornerback C.J. Smith, safety Derron Smith, safety B.W. Webb, fullback Marquez Williams.