Cleveland Browns: From Laughing Stock to Relevant
Cleveland Browns: From Laughing Stock to Relevant
For many years, the Cleveland Browns have been the laughing stock of the NFL. From the revolving door of coaches and quarterbacks, to the draft busts with the names of Justin Gilbert and Johnny Manziel, all the way to their 0-16 season in 2017, Cleveland fans have had little hope for success. With the first pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns selected their quarterback of the future, Baker Mayfield. After winning the first game in two years against the New York Jets in Week 3, Baker and crew gave Cleveland a sense of hope. The Browns finished the 2018 season with a 7-8-1 record, but the potential of this team is through the roof in 2019, especially after the offseason they had.
Offseason Splash
The moves that Cleveland made in the offseason is what has everyone raising such a high bar for them. To start off, Cleveland is taking a risk with the signing of former Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt. Hunt, who is as talented as any running back in the NFL, was cut by Kansas City after videos leaked of him assaulting a woman. Hunt will start the year by serving an eight-game suspension, but his talent can prove to be game changing and could give Baker Mayfield a playmaker in the backfield along with Nick Chubb. Speaking of playmakers… Cleveland made a splash nobody thought was going to happen when they traded for star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. Even though OBJ has battled injuries over the past few seasons, his razzle-dazzle catches and breakaway speed can make him be argued as one of the top wide receivers in the NFL. Cleveland had a very successful free agency and should be excited for the season in 2019.
Draft Steals
Without a first-round pick in this year’s draft, the Cleveland Browns had one of the biggest steals in the draft in Mack Wilson. Drafted in the later rounds, many regarded Wilson as a well-rounded second round talent. Attitude issues made him fall in the draft, but if he could put that aside, the Browns may have found another young stud defender to add to their defense. Another player that Cleveland drafted in the second round is LSU cornerback Greedy Williams. Greedy was considered a first-round talent but fell into the hands of the Browns in the second round. With these two defensive talents, Cleveland is young, balanced, and athletic on both sides of the ball.
Are Expectations Too High?
Even though the Browns are very young, the expectations are sky high for Cleveland in 2019. Many have projected them to win the division. One negative about Cleveland is their personalities, especially with their receiving core of Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr., who have been distractions off the field in the past. The one saving grace for Cleveland is that Baker Mayfield has the leadership ability to shut all the outside noise down. If Cleveland can focus on football and not nightclubs, boat trips, and contracts, they have the talent to start a run to make the playoffs in 2019.
-By: Richie Dordas