Browns: 5 best offensive players a quarter way through the season

The Cleveland Browns offense has not been this dynamic since the Bryan Sipe led teams of the early ’80s and picking just five was difficult.

This Cleveland Browns team is really explosive and that’s not going to change. Sure, they’re not going to post 300 yards rushing on everyone they play but if they stay in the top five in the league in rushing yards-per-game, then you’ll know the offense has been explosive regardless of the opposition.

Part of the team’s success has come from the addition of Bill Callahan and his zone-blocking scheme. It’s allowed players to use their strengths and minimize their weaknesses. It’s also allowed a former SuperBowl head coach to be able to bring the best out of players long thought to be a weakness for the team.

The Browns offense has not been this fun since their return in 1999. Sure, the 2007 Derek Anderson Browns were a hoot, and Peyton Hillis’ breakout year was something that gave fans hope but nothing has come close to this team through four games.

These are the five best offensive players through the first quarter of the season.

Wyatt Teller

Wyatt Teller has proved many wrong this year. Through his first four games of 2020, Teller has looked like the best linemen on the team. Credit though to center J.C. Tretter, his presence has made a lot of this possible but it’s Teller who looks like a snowplow going down State Road hill in mid-January. Teller’s on his way to a Pro Bowl at this rate.

Nick Chubb

He’ll miss some weeks with an MCL sprain, but Nick Chubb has been a great piece to this offense. He’s been a top-three running back in the league since he was drafted and the only reason he’s not averaging 200 yards a game this year is that he’s splitting time with Kareem Hunt, who could easily be on this list too. Hunt has an opportunity to pop on the next list in four weeks as he’ll take on a bulk of the responsibilities going forward while Chubb recovers.

Baker Mayfield

Yeah, he’s on this list. Baker Mayfield isn’t throwing for 500 yards a game, but he probably could. The team doesn’t need him to, and that’s part of the reason why he’s been so efficient. He’s not wasting his opportunities. He’s as accurate as ever, and the more impressive thing is his zip is back in his passes. He’s able to thread passes between defensive players like it’s nothing. He looks like rookie Mayfield but with fewer mistakes.

Odell Beckham Jr.

It’s no surprise how some of us feel about Odell Beckham Jr., and it’s even less of a surprise to hear most of us haven’t changed our mind. Yet, tip the cap when it’s due. Beckham was a monster against the Dallas Cowboys. Yes, the Cowboys defense stunk but how many times have the Browns had the same exact scenarios but players didn’t step up? Beckham can get into the endzone and that’s a valuable commodity.

Harrison Bryant

This may confuse people but hear it out. Harrison Bryant has been thrust into a position that he wasn’t supposed to have yet, as Bryant replaced David Njoku as the second tight end. Now, Austin Hooper has played very well, even if his offensive stats don’t show that. He’s doing what was expected of him. Guys like Jarvis Landry, Kareem Hunt, Jack Conklin, and others are doing what they’re supposed to. Bryant? He’s blocking the best pass rushers at times and stretching the field with ease. While he’s not getting his number called often, he’s making the most of each opportunity. Playing above your expectations is more impressive than playing to your expectations.