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.
Third Round: Jordan Elliott
Grade: D-
The Browns are awful defensively and frankly save for two or three players, no one on the defense deserves a good grade. Some will say “well he’s just a rookie” and to that, the response is “if you play, you better play well”. Jordan Elliot has not played well when he’s played. It’s telling that the Browns would rather use guys like Adrian Clayborn, Porter Gustin, and even once in a while Myles Garrett as a defensive tackle than Elliot. No, Elliot is not a bust, and no, he shouldn’t be cut. Hell, he might be the best player next season on the team. This isn’t next season though. The defense is one of the worst in the league and it’s in part due to Elliot.
Third Round: Jacob Phillips
Grade: D-
Same verse, same as the first. Jacob Phillips is in the worst linebacking corps in the league and yet still can’t get reps away from the starters. Part of that is that he’s just not ready or good enough to do so. The other part is the fact he’s injured so much. Some don’t like to count injuries against guys, that’s not an issue I have. If you’re not on the field making plays, you’re not helping the team. If you’re not helping the team, you’re hurting it. If you’re hurting the team you’re not getting a good score. Phillips needs to up his play and needs to get healthy. The Browns basically have three spots up for grabs. He needs to start yanking at them.
Fourth Round: Harrison Bryant
Grade: B+
The best rookie so far this season for the Browns is Harrison Bryant. His less than impressive numbers come from a lack of opportunities, not a lack of execution. Bryant has stepped up in the passing game when called upon and has been a very good blocker on the offensive line when he’s stayed home to block. He’s not as good as a run blocker as Austin Hooper but he’s good enough that if Hooper weren’t a Brown the team would be just as well off.
Fifth Round: Nick Harris
Grade: D
People will be mad about this one, sure. Nick Harris hasn’t gotten many reps in games, only taking one snap on offense in a game. Mostly just a body on special teams, Harris had the opportunity to step up and replace Wyatt Teller when Teller got hurt. Harris could not impress and instead, backup tackle Chris Hubbard took the spot. It doesn’t matter if he’s just a rookie. That doesn’t matter. He’s a grown man, a professional football player and if he’s going to get a better grade, it’s going to be due to him earning it. If you can’t prove you’re the better option, why should you get handed a grade that says you are? Harris is very replaceable through eight games.
Sixth Round: Donovan Peoples-Jones
Grade: D+
Donovan Peoples-Jones has had opportunity thrust upon him and he’s making the most of it. Unfortunately for him, the defense is garbage and any chance of him getting a higher game due to his play in the Las Vegas game was essentially irrelevant. He only had four offensive snaps all game, a far cry from his 36 the week prior. As a special teams player, he’s not very good. He’s fourth in the league in the number of kick returns taken but 15th in yards per return and let’s not talk about his time as a punt returner. He’s yet to make a play on special teams and coupled that with the fact he’s only had one game of any productivity as a receiver, a D+ is more than fair.