Cleveland Browns: It’s do or die for these 5 players in 2020

Olivier Vernon

Olivier Vernon goes into 2020 not playing “Do-or-die” as a Brown, rather, he’s playing for his career.

Can he earn a nice contract piggy-backing off a stellar 2020 playing opposite of Myles Garrett. If he does, he’ll likely earn a nice offer from somewhere. If he can’t, well, it’ll probably mark the beginning of the end of his career.

And really, it all comes down to health. If Vernon an play, he’ll likely produce. PFF went as far to call Vernon the most underrated player on the Browns roster, noting that he has an 86.3 overall grade since signing that massive contract with the Giants back in 2016.

The analytics driven website argued he can still defend the run and get after the quarterback at a high level “when healthy.”

Entering the offseason, Vernon seemed like the most logical cut, yet he’s survived and considering there’s no viable replacement on the roster, he projects as the day one starter.

Hopefully, he’s the beast we all thought he could be in his second year with Cleveland, and he’ll open things up for Myles Garrett on the other side. If he can’t stay healthy, Vernon will likely sign a prove-it deal elsewhere, and when you start doing that, who knows how much longer you have left.