Cleveland Browns: 3 players who could lose a roster spot to analytics

2. Beckham or Landry

Take your pick, but if analytics and Moneyball make a heavy return to run the decision making process, keeping two high priced receivers doesn’t add up.

Beckham is due to make $14 million next season, but the Browns have a potential out if they move on as only $2.5 million “dead money” will count against the cap. They have an out with Landry, as well. He’s due $13 million in salary and carries 4.5 million of “dead money.”

Landry proved to be Mayfield’s go-to-receiver this past season, while Odell Beckham crossed the 1,000-yard threshold in the final game of the season. It’s a lot of money, especially for Beckham, who only produced two touchdowns.

There are something working in the duo’s favor and that’s the owner. When Jimmy Haslam addressed the press following the firing of John Dorsey, he mentioned Beckham and Landry as two of the team’s core players.

Don’t misunderstand my point of view with both payers. I’m for keeping them both. I saw the receivers analytics produced: Corey Coleman and Jordan Payton anyone? If you’ll recall, that 2016 draft produced two other wideouts: Ricardo Louis and Rashard Higgins.

Higgins had one productive season out of four and the soon-to-be free agent doesn’t figure to be in the Browns plans in 2020 and beyond.