The Cleveland Browns will need more than the big names to step up in 2020, and these are three of the men who could turn the tide.
The Cleveland Browns have some of the biggest and best names in the NFL on their roster for the upcoming season. Jarvis Landry, Odell Beckham Jr., Baker Mayfield, Austin Hooper, Myles Garrett, Denzel Ward, Mack Wilson, and Nick Chubb make up just a few of the key names needed to step up for the year if the team is going to find success. They can’t just carry the team on their own, however. They’re going to need help. Unexpected help.
It could be Kareem Hunt, the second running back on the depth chart, and the guy expected to line up on most passing downs for the team. Then there are rookies Jedrick Wills, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Grant Delpit, Jordan Elliott, Jacob Phillips, Harrison Bryant, and Nick Harris, who could all step up for the team in various positions as well.
There are also players like Joel Bitonio, Jack Conklin, Olivier Vernon, Greedy Williams, and a slew of new safeties as well who are looking to step up that may be key pieces that are being overlooked. There is numerous talent on this squad, with all sorts of potential they’re hoping to live up to. Yet, which of these names, if any of them, are going to be on this list today?
That’s why today we’re looking at the three unexpected names that the Cleveland Browns may see step up, and earn their place. Either as a Pro Bowler or as a person you can build around at that position going forward.
Donovan Peoples-Jones
There is no real guarantee that Donovan Peoples-Jones earns a spot anywhere on the team. Be it as the third-receiver, a kick returner, a punt returner, or some other specialty role. The hope is that he comes out of the Cleveland Browns camp as one of the return men for the team at least, and it’s that hope that’s driving this selection. The idea that Peoples-Jones can be the next great return man for the Browns.
The problem is, he’s never shown to be that dynamic as a collegiate return man. In 37 games for Michigan, he only posted 743 punt yards and two touchdowns, across 89 total returns. That’s about 20 yards a return. Nothing to shake a stick at, but certainly nothing that elicits excitement. After all, Penn State’s KJ Hamler averaged just under 24 yards a return.
Peoples-Jones also wasn’t the biggest threat as a receiver, only once was he the second leading receiver in his three years with the team. The idea with Peoples-Jones in the NFL is that he improves greatly with help from the Browns coaching staff and is able to take the next step in his evolution as a pro. Thus negating any need for his senior year at Michigan. That’s a big swing, however, as he did leave early and was a largely unimpressive prospect in doing so.
If he can find that next gear that elevates him, then Peoples-Jones may not just be a great returner for the Browns, but an overall great offensive threat for the team. That’s a big if, as he’s only a sixth-round draft pick, but you never know. After all, Josh Cribbs wasn’t drafted at all and look what he was able to do.
Andy Janovich
The Cleveland Browns acquired the former Denver Bronco in the offseason with the intention of using him regularly. He’s durable and reliable and if his time in Denver is any sign, the Browns will have one heck of a blocker for the team to work behind. Janovich isn’t just a great blocker, however, as he’s not too shabby of a playmaker in his own right.
In his senior year in college, Janovich averaged over six years a carry for the year, where he had 46 attempts for 265 yards. Sure, it’s not a guy cranking out 2,000 yards on 200 carries or something lunatic-inducing, but it’s a nice sign. The numbers are similar to Peyton Hillis’ during Hills’ time at Arkansas. Not a perfect one-to-one comparison but it’s something to notice, as not every great player always has great college stats. Sometimes someone just needs a chance. Like Hillis needed. Maybe Janovich is in the same boat.
Janovich is also a decent pass-catcher, despite not having many opportunities, he’s never dropped a pass since coming to the pros, and while his 40-yard dash is only a 4.8, he’s shown to have shifty hips and good mobility in the opening. Making his need for top-end speed unnecessary.
Janovich could be an easy Pro Bowl selection for 2020. While fullbacks may have fallen in favor in recent years, the AFC and the NFC still send one player from the position to the Pro Bowl every year, with the Baltimore Ravens’ Patrick Ricard being the selection for 2019. Janovich will find himself with plenty of opportunities to prove himself as a blocker and depending on the health and efficiency of some of the pass-catchers on this team, could see himself put up decent receiving numbers as well.
Nothing more than a few hundred yards, mind you, but enough to add to his body of work.
Jamie Gillan
Jamie Gillan is so strong that he can pop balls by kicking them. The Scottish born, former rugby player came to the United States at 16 after his father was relocated to Maryland. He had no experience playing football but the day after attending his first game, he tried out as a punter and kicker for his high school team and made the squad. He was recommended by a friend to the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff University football team, who took notice of Gillan and was subsequently invited to play for the team.
He handled punting and kicking duties at Arkansas-Pine Bluff, where he averaged 43.7 yards per punt as a junior. He also dropped 27 punts inside the opponents’ 20-yard line during his senior season, showing strength and accuracy. He wasn’t a slouch with respect to his field goal kicking, as he set the school record with a 52-yard field goal.
As a rookie, Gillan was tenth in the NFL in yards-per-punt. An impressive stat-line, made more impressive that it was only his sixth year playing the sport. Gillan’s strength and accuracy, as well as his overall athleticism, make him a unique punter.
Unlike a lot of punters, it’s entirely possible that Gillan could stand in as a kicker for the Browns should kicker Austin Seibert get injured or start to miss his kicks. Outside of that, Gillan has also shown to be willing to mix it up on punts, not afraid to put his shoulder into the pile. With some time, a little guidance, and maybe a few choice hits, Gillan could see himself as a perennial Pro Bowler for the Browns.