Browns: Grading each drafted rookie through the first half of the year

The 2020 rookies for the Cleveland Browns are being evaluated again at the midway point, did any of them improve their standing after their first evaluation?

The Cleveland Browns have a crop of rookies many fans and critics are hoping turn into something special. So far through 2020, these rookies have largely been average at best or largely ineffective. That’s not a statement on where they’ll finish this season at, or how their careers will turn out. It is only an evaluation through eight games.

Every rookie, every player around the league has had the same amount of time to get ready and be prepared as the Browns and their rookies. So there is no allowance for “well they didn’t have an offseason”, because that’s not an excuse. Each rookie is being graded on their production when on the field, and their ability to warrant playing time. If a player is on the bench, hasn’t gotten a shake yet, or plays and the unit still suffers, that will factor into their grade. No one is giving MVPs to back up quarterbacks and rookies who ride the bench are showing you exactly where they are at.

So with that, let’s evaluate the rookies.

First Round: Jedrick Wills

Grade: C-

Jedrick Wills continues to be the weak spot on the offensive line in the passing game. We’ve seen him get beat these last four games time and time again by just having someone out far enough, and with enough speed to get around him. This isn’t even a situation where you can shout “HE’S ONLY BEEN A PRO FOR…” because this is stuff you work on in high school. His lateral movement needs to improve. That said, his last eight games as a run blocker have been a nice improvement over past players. He still makes too many mistakes though to warrant anything higher, and against tougher competition in these last four weeks as opposed to the first four, has been exposed at times. He can’t keep committing false star penalties either. As one commentator said this past week, he is an improvement over Greg Robinson and a big improvement at that. He’s in no danger of losing his spot, his grade is a reflection of the demand of anyone drafted that high to perform better.

Second Round: Grant Delpit

Grade: Incomplete

Grant Delpit won’t get a grade this year for obvious reasons. The concern for Delpit will be how he recovers from the Achilles injury. That’s a tendon that often ends the careers of athletes. If you’re a basketball player like Kevin Durant, someone not known for their athleticism, this injury is less damning but for someone like Delpit, it could be career-altering if not worse.