CLEVELAND, Ohio -- My annual player rankings are always a sobering evaluation of the Browns' roster, and this year's are no exception.

Six of my top 10 players come from defense, yet the unit still was ranked 30th against the run. So the defense is hardly a fearsome entity. Yet it looks positively awesome next to the offense. Only three offensive players made my top 10 -- and one was a part-time player.

As usual, the place-kicker was one of the team's elite players. We know what that says about the roster.

My rankings are purely subjective and unscientific. They are based on contributions, playing time and role. For the most part, starting players should rank higher, but there are a couple instances where role players made what I considered bigger contributions.

With a few exceptions, players not active for eight games or more were not ranked. They are listed at the end. If a player did not play enough because of injury, he was not ranked. I seriously considered ranking Eric Steinbach in my top 10 based on the impact his season-long loss had on the offense.

1. DT Ahtyba Rubin: Relentless, 320-pound hustler who keeps ascending.

2. OT Joe Thomas: As good as he is, he can't score touchdowns.

3. MLB D'Qwell Jackson: Earned our national vote for NFL comeback player of the year.

4. CB Joe Haden: Dropped interceptions and a habit of slipping on breaks were disconcerting.

5. DE Jabaal Sheard: His consistency and run defense were surprising, his pass rush was not.

6. OLB Chris Gocong: Made good on new contract with solid performance over second half of season.

7. PK Phil Dawson: The Browns' franchise MVP since expansion in 1999.

8. WR-KR Josh Cribbs: There's nobody like him in the entire NFL.

9. C Alex Mack: A quality center who played through appendicitis attack.

10. DT Phil Taylor: Had a good rookie year, but certainly isn't a dominant lineman yet.

11. CB Sheldon Brown: Ten years of answering the bell, 160 games in a row, is quite an achievement.

12. WR Greg Little: Lots of catches (and drops), not a lot of yards.

13. CB Dimitri Patterson: Did he show enough to earn starting job in 2012?

14. OLB Scott Fujita: Injuries cost him 13 games in two years. Sturdy, when healthy.

15. FS Mike Adams: Started 16 games for first time in career at age 30. Led in interceptions.

16. QB Colt McCoy: No bones broken, but confidence and emotions frayed.

17. TE Evan Moore: Career-high 34 catches and four TDs seemed unfulfilling.

18. RB Peyton Hillis: Ten games, nine starts, six controversies, three TDs.

19. P Brad Maynard: A godsend after Reggie Hodges injury. Magnificent holder, too.

20. RB Chris Ogbonnaya: Rescued the running back position for a month. Earned a return engagement.

21. SS Usama Young: Piled up some tackles at the end after a very slow start.

22. TE Ben Watson: Production was down due to three concussions.

23. TE Alex Smith: An underrated player who did a lot of blocking and showed he can catch.

24. DE Brian Schaefering: Solid reserve lineman who shared sack of Big Ben.

25. DT Scott Paxson: Scrappy tackle who got better; made impact in Steelers' game.

26. RG Shawn Lauvao: Established self in second season with 16 starts.

27. RB Montario Hardesty: Worked hard to get back from knee surgery, then tore calf muscle.

28. LG Jason Pinkston: Rushed in after Eric Steinbach injury and held job for 16 games.

29. SS T.J. Ward: Averaged five tackles in first eight games, then missed the last eight with a sprained foot.

30. RT Tony Pashos: The Big Greek played through ankle problems for 12 games. Third straight year with injuries.

31. WR Mohamed Massaquoi: Production decreased for second year in a row.

32. WR Jordan Norwood: Slight receiver can get open, but durability was a concern.

33. DE Jayme Mitchell: Billed as the answer at pass rusher, he had 1.5 sacks in 14 games.

34. OLB Kaluka Maiava: Made six starts after Fujita injury and finished second in special teams tackles.

35. CB Buster Skrine: Fast rookie showed some promise in nickel defenses and on special teams.

36. QB Seneca Wallace: Lost three starts, lowering career record to 6-15.

37. DB Ray Ventrone: Special team core player had only three tackles.

38. LB Titus Brown: Limited to 10 games because of injuries, he notched first career sack against Bengals.

39. SS Eric Hagg: Came back from camp knee injury to gain experience in 10 games.

40. FB Owen Marecic: Laid some licks and took on some as a lead blocker, absorbing two concussions.

41. OT Artis Hicks: Made three starts but couldn't dislodge an obviously hobbled Pashos.

42. DE Emmanuel Stephens: Overtook Mitchell at right end, and then tore a pectoral muscle in his third start.

43. OLB Quentin Spears: Quietly finished fourth with eight special teams tackles.

44. TE Jordan Cameron: Needs to make strides to be tight end of the future.

45. WR Carlton Mitchell: Lengthy wideout finally got on the board with three catches in last two games.

46. LS Christian Yount: Flawless in five games after replacing legend Ryan Pontbriand.

47. DE Auston English: Knee injury limited him after promotion from practice squad.

48. OL Oniel Cousins: Starting right tackle in Game 1; that was his highlight.

49. OG John Greco: Veteran swingman was active for 15 games, but didn't play much.

50. CB James Dockery: Feisty undrafted free agent made team and then got lost in the season.

51. OL Steve Vallos: Lonely job being Alex Mack's backup -- inactive for 15 games.

52. DE Brian Sanford: Active for five games and had five tackles.

53. QB Thaddeus Lewis: Never got in a game to show what Pat Shurmur liked about him.

The following players were unranked due to lack of playing time because of injuries or other reasons: DE Marcus Benard, TE Dan Gronkowski, OLB Ben Jacobs, RB Armond Smith, OLB Brian Smith, OG Eric Steinbach, DT Kiante Tripp, FB Eddie Williams, WR Rod Windsor.

On Twitter: @tonygrossi