5 Cleveland Browns whose stocks are on the rise at Training Camp.
The Cleveland Browns are well into Training Camp, and are just two-and-half weeks away from kicking off the 2020 season in Baltimore against the Ravens.
Head coach Kevin Stafanski is playing catch-up with his roster, as he didn’t get the opportunity to conduct a normal offseason program against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic.
So the pressure is on the Browns to get up speed, fast. Unfortunately, it’s not going smoothly for all, as these four players, in particular, have seen their stocks go down.
No team’s ever had a perfect camp, though, and there’s plenty of good to go around, as well.
With that in mind, here’s five players who’ve really stood out in camp, and have seen their stocks rise as the beginning of the regular season gets closer and closer.
1. Harrison Bryant
Harrison Bryant, a fourth-round pick, hasn’t wasted any time this Training Camp, as he’s made a name for himself in the early going.
The Florida Atlantic product is probably the second tight end on the depth chart, and it’d be hard to dispute, even for the staunchest defenders of David Njoku.
The former first-round pick from 2017 has again been limited by an injury, this time a sore wrist–he broke his wrist last season in Week 2 against the Jets on Monday Night Football.
As for Bryant, he’s shown why his pass catching skills were so coveted, and you can only imagine how Kevin Stefanski might deploy him in an offensive scheme that can ho heavy on tight ends.
If Bryant puts the blocking aspect of the position together, the Browns could really have someething special.
2. JoJo Natson
Natson drew the eyes of many reporters for the reps he was getting as the slot receiver, especially when OBJ and Jarvis Landry were on the field with him.
It was particularly surprising to see, because the 5-foot-7, 153-pound receiver didn’t play a lot of wideout with his former team, the Rams.
His specialty is returning kicks, and when he signed with Cleveland, the expectation was that he’d continue his role as a specialist. It was welcomed news for Browns fans, as the return game has basically been an afterthought ever since Travis Benjamin departed in free agency.
With the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, perhaps the Browns are just getting the backups ready to play, but none-the-less, it’s noteworthy that he Natson was getting first-team reps over players like Rashard Higgins and Khadarel Hodge.
It will be interesting to see how the Browns’ receiving room shakes out, in terms of numbers. OBJ and Landry have jobs. Andrew Berry’s also going to find a spot for rookie Donovan Peoples-Jones. If they only go with five, Natson offers versatility in that he play special teams, in addition to playing from scrimmage.
3. Austin Hooper
It’s hard for Hooper’s stock to go much higher considering the investment Cleveland made in him as a free agent, but Browns’ fans are no stranger to free agents taking the money and disappearing once they put on an orange helmet.
No need to worry about that with Hooper, who’s been superb. If you’re Njoku, no wonder you wanted a trade. Not only have you been passed by a rookie, but now you’ve seen what a No. 1 tight end looks like and you can see your playing time diminishing.
Hooper seems to have formed a tremendous camaraderie with quarterback Baker Mayfield, as he even visited with the former Heisman winner this offseason. These stories crop up all the time, but this is significant, because Mayfield’s playing for his reputation.
Will he be the guy who leads the Browns to the Super Bowl, or is he another Marcus Mariota–someone who’s OK, but not the guy to get your team to the promised land.
With Stefanski loading up on tight ends, Baker Mayfield may have found his new best friend on the field. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Hooper lead the Browns in receptions.
4. Porter Gustin, DE
Porter Gustin found himself on this list quite a bit last preseason, as he made the most of the time he played in the second half of those exhibition contests.
The casual fan probably forgot his name, though, by the time the season started. That said, he did find some playing time toward the end of the season, especially after the Browns were in need of bodies at the position.
Now, Gustin’s stock has jumped as high as anyone on the roster. He went from a bubble guy to now being Myles Garrett’s backup. He’s been seen giving Jedrick Wills a tough time in the trenches. His ascension is one of the reason Chad Thomas’ roster spot may be in jeopardy.
Gustin’s another guy who’s putting in the work, as he’s been seen with veteran Adrian Clayborn after practice, putting in more time.
5. Rashard Higgins
Don’t sleep on Rashard Higgins, as the veteran continues to make plays as Training Camp head into its “Dog Days”
Notably, offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt mentioned Higgins’ name twice before the week started when he was talking to the press. Not a bad thing when you’re fighting for a spot on the depth chart.
Higgins has shown the rapport with Mayfield that had many excited about what the two might do in 2019. Of course, we know Higgins was a forgotten man under Freddie Kitchens and the Colorado State product seemed poised to walk in free agency.
He ended up returning to the Browns and now it seems that he and Mayfield might have a chance to make good on that potential.
Honorable mention
1. Kareem Hunt: It’s going to be interesting to see how Stefanski splits things up between Nick Chubb and Hunt because the former Chief has looked very, very good.
Hunt has a lot riding on this season, as he can be a free agent when it’s all over. The former rushing champ is still just 25 years old.
2. B.J. Goodson: The veteran linebacker is more valuable than ever after Mack Wilson’s season-ending injury. He’s become an obvious vocal leader, and he looks good out there, as well.
3. Khadarel Hodge: Hodge, who came out of nowhere last season, was riding with the first team when Landry was still injured. He wasn’t just playing either, he was making some nice plays. Hodge has missed several practice for personal reasons, dating back to last week.
It’ll be interesting to see how the depth chart shakes out. In his time away, Higgins has really come on and those spots especially, can really dry up quickly.