Cleveland Browns: PFF grades show more bad than good in Saints loss
Two weeks in and the Cleveland Browns are still without a win. Here’s how Pro Football Focus graded out the Browns roster against the Saints.
Another week of Pro Football Focus grades for the Cleveland Browns, who lost a heartbreaker to the New Orleans Saints, 21-18 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
Here’s how the Browns graded out:
Skill Positions
Tyrod Taylor, QB, 55.5: There’s a case to be made Tyrod Taylor had a good game against the New Orleans Saints because he had the Browns in position late in the fourth quarter to win the game.
Fine, but don’t try to tell me Taylor had a good game.
For 3 1/2 quarters, Taylor put Browns fans to sleep thanks to a conservative game plan that was meant to protect the ball, control the clock and keep Drew Brees off the field.
Despite going 22 of 30, Taylor earned a 55.5 grade in the passing game and a 44.2 grade in the running game.
He now owns a 50.6 grade spread over the first two weeks, making him the 30th ranked quarterback in PFF’s stat book.
Carlos Hyde, RB, 44.7: Carlos Hyde had another touchdown in a short-yardage situation, but he’s yet to control the ground game, which is what the Browns need. He has a 61.1 grade this season, 23rd overall among running backs. The offensive line is a problem, too, but more on that later.
Chubb, RB 70.7: Nick Chubb only played two snaps, rushing for 14 yards on two carries. He’s the 35th overall pick in the draft and he can’t get on the field enough to have an impact.. He has 77.6 grade on the season.
Duke Johnson, RB, 56.5: An average grade. When’s the Duke going to get loose?
Antonio Calloway, WR, 74.2: Antonio Callaway was targeted four times and made three catches, including the 47-yarder in the fourth quarter that should’ve led to a Browns win. He was the Browns’ offense highest graded players.
Jarvis Landry, WR, 64.7: Five catches on seven targets. Jarvis Landry is Mr. Dependable.
Rashard Higgins, WR, 54.0: Like Landry, Higgins had five catches on seven targets for 47 yards. This is a good game for Higgins, who’s starting to show consistency as the Browns’ third wide receiving option.
David Njoku. 41.9, TE: David Njoku caught four balls for 20 yards and was mostly a non-factor. Njoku was only targeted six times. Njoku was also on the field for 11 plays, and drew a deplorable 55.8 grade in run blocking.
Darren Fells, 57.9: Everyone expected Darren Fells to catch two passes, right? Fells was on the field for 13 run blocking snaps, and graded out with a 61.3 grade. Lower than you think for the guy who’s supposed to be “the blocking tight end.”