Browns: Ranking the 20 best players from the 2020 season

5. Nick Chubb

Nick Chubb might be number one if the Browns didn’t go 3-1 without him. The Browns proved one big thing this year and it may ruffle some feathers, but the Browns don’t need Chubb. That doesn’t mean the Browns should look to move on from Chubb, because he’s the best pure rusher in the league. All this means is that Baker Mayfield proved he can play with limited pieces around him, considering Chubb was hurt, Jarvis Landry wasn’t healthy for most of the year, Odell Beckham hasn’t been the same since 2016 and Kareem Hunt lost whatever elite-edge he once had. Yet, Mayfield still produced. That fact hurt Chubb’s standing on the team, but only by a little. He’s still very valuable.

4. Myles Garrett

Myles Garrett started the season off slow, then fell off at the mid-way point, then got COVID, and then hurt his lower legs, again. Despite that, he still had massive numbers. He missed two games but still had 48 tackles and 12 sacks. He was on pace for much higher numbers before the illness and injuries but he still had a good year. His injuries, however, continue to mount. Hopefully, he finds himself healthy for 2021 and can play all 17 games.

3. Joel Bitonio

Joel Bitonio is heading to the Hall of Fame at this rate. The piece of the line that bridged from the Joe Thomas era to the Bitonio-Teller-Conklin era, he’s back in the Pro Bowl for the third straight year and is yet again an All-Pro selection, making the second-team for the third straight year. His value to the team can’t be overstated.

2. Baker Mayfield

You can’t deny him anymore. He’s the guy. Like it or not, he’s the future of the team and the man who stabilized the quarterback position. He had a great season and even though PFF claims he’s 14th at his position, it’s arguable he’s a top 10 player at quarterback. He’s the guy that the Browns need. His being No. 2 isn’t an indictment on his play, but an acknowledgment that No. 1 was just THAT GOOD during the year.

1. Jack Conklin OT

A controversial pick, but only because the position is far more of a “unit” than a single player. So it’s understandable some may not agree with having him this high, but his play in 2020 was second to none. Arguably the best right tackle, if not the best tackle in the league, Conklin’s right side was the direction of choice for the running game for most of the year. He only gave up two-sacks and only had two penalties. All while learning a new system, in a COVID-stunted offseason, and adapting with four brand new line-teammates and a brand new tight end who often played off his hip. What Conklin did was impressive. Hence his All-Pro selection.