5 Browns whose stock went up after losing to the Jets in Week 16.
In defeat, the Browns have put themselves into a corner where they either beat the Pittsburgh Steelers, or miss going to the playoffs and extending the franchise’s playoff drought to 18 seasons.
There was plenty of disappointment to go around, and while the Browns didn’t show signs of life until mid-way through the third quarter, these five players saw their stocks rise in regrettable defeat.
1. Olivier Vernon
The soon-to-be-free agent will be looking for a new deal next season, and he’s playing like it, with eight sacks in his last eight games.
Against New York, Vernon was the Browns best pass rusher, earning a game grade of 88.0 from Pro Football Focus. He also had a season high 8 quarterback pressures.
2. Sheldon Richardson
Speaking of veteran lineman, Sheldon Richardson played another nice game for the Browns, totaling five quarterback pressures. He had the second highest grade on the defense in the eyes of PFF, with a mark of 81.7.
3. Nick Chubb
He made seven Jets miss as a runner. He made four more miss as receiver. How Kevin Stefanski basically ignored him and took him out the of the game plan is one of the biggest red marks on the first-year coach’s report card.
The seven Jets Chubb made miss was his second hight total of the season.
4. Ja’Marcus Bradley
PFF only gave him a game grade of 57.0, but I thought Bradley played well, considering he just met Baker Mayfield on the tarmac at JFK Airport.
Seriously, though, Bradley was targeted 10 times and caught five balls. PFF noted that only five of the 10 throws that went Bradley’s way were deemed “catchable.”
He helped sparked the offense in the second half when at the time, Cleveland was getting nothing from its receivers.
Bradley finished with 60 yards and looked like a viable, lower-on-the-depth chart receiver. Not a bad thing considering he was signed off the practice squad less than 24 hours before game time.
5. Joel Bitonio
Pound for pound, Bitonio is probably the Browns best offensive lineman.
He was stellar in defeat, posting a 80.2 pass blocking grade, as well as 73.8 run blocking grade–the best on the team.