The Cleveland Browns had a great season in 2020 and to honor their turnaround year as a franchise, we’re looking at the 20 best players from the season.
The Cleveland Browns were one of the best teams in the NFL in 2020. One could arguably say they were a top 10, if not a top-eight team in the league. They had star-making performances from their franchise quarterback, Baker Mayfield, and boasted the best executed offensive line in the NFL. Often times plugging in bench guys and not missing a beat.
So with that, we’re going to look at the top 20 players from the Browns 2020 campaign.
20. B.J. Goodson
If he were the fourth-linebacker off the bench, then B.J. Goodson would be praised for his performances. Unfortunately, he was the best linebacker the team had and that’s not good. He had a solid season for a bench warmer, and that’s not nothing.
19. Andrew Sendejo
A lot of people threw a lot of unnecessary guff at Andrew Sendejo this year. Early in the season, it seemed like he was giving up big plays because he was arriving just at the wrong point, but often he was coming from the other side of the field. It even led to a sort of mini-meme on Twitter of fans blaming Sendejo for things that clearly weren’t his fault. He wasn’t a big playmaker by any means, though, so he may find himself as a third-safety in 2021 if he is brought back.
18. Jamie Gillan
Every good team needs a good punter and Jamie Gillan was pretty good for the Browns. Sure, he wasn’t Chris Gardocki out there, but Gillan has shored up the punter position for the foreseeable future.
17. Andy Janovich
He didn’t get a lot of love this year, but Andy Janovich was a strong blocker who stood up and stood out whenever called upon. Janovich is a strong playmaker too, something he wasn’t asked to do much of in 2020, but hopefully, he can highlight in 2021.
16. Donovan Peoples-Jones
This might be the steal of the NFL Draft if Donovan Peoples-Jones continues to improve. An unheralded prospect out of Michigan, that many felt left too soon, Peoples-Jones became a favorite target of Baker Mayfield in the second half of the season. More consistency and better awareness of running routes will improve his stock even more in the coming years.
15. Ronnie Harrison
There were times when Ronnie Harrison looked like a trade steal, and there were other times when you were wondering “what was he doing?”. He was a fine acquisition with good upside but he only started in 2019 because Tashaun Gipson got cut to help the salary cap. Harrison’s a fine piece but he needs to take a giant leap in 2021 if he’s going to warrant a second-contract.
14. Austin Hooper
Austin Hooper’s debut year with the Browns was an admitted disappointment. That’s not to say it was bad, because it wasn’t, but for the money he made, he really should’ve done more in the passing game. He was hurt a few games and most days he would walk away with 30 yards to his name at best. He did bring a strength to the position thanks to his blocking and that shouldn’t be disrespected.
13. Harrison Bryant
This may seem strange to have him higher than Austin Hooper, but Harrison Bryant had nearly identical numbers to Austin Hooper when adjusted for opportunities. Bryant’s younger, longer and more athletic than Hooper and his upside is undeniable. Bryant should outlast Hooper as a member of the Browns long-term.
12. Rashard Higgins
Rashard Higgins was one yard shy of 600 on the year. He had four touchdowns and had 37 receptions on only 52 targets. Is he a top-two receiver for a team? Probably not. Yet his report with Baker Mayfield, his willingness to go over the middle, and his above-average blocking ability for a player at his position may make his return far easier in 2021.
11. Olivier Vernon
This selection has me torn. On one hand, he didn’t play or didn’t show up in 12 games. On the other hand, he had four really good games So who is Olivier Vernon as a player? An inconsistent one, yes. A streaky one, absolutely. Yet, this defense was so bad, arguably the third-best player on that side of the ball despite all of it. He only had 36 tackles but did have nine sacks. He was second on the team, and it wasn’t even close with third place Sheldon Richardson having 4.5 sacks on the year.
10. Kareem Hunt
Even though Kareem Hunt didn’t rush for 1,000 yards, he still had a solid year. He posted 1,145 yards from scrimmage, with 11 total touchdowns. A strong season, but one that failed to live up to the possibilities of a player of his talents. When asked to fill in for Nick Chubb for four games, he didn’t break 78 yards rushing in any of those games, he also didn’t top 27 yards receiving in those games either. Considering many saw him as a guy who could hit 2,000 all-purpose yards in Kansas City, to see how often he was used, and how pedestrian his numbers were, it’s hard to say he had a great season. If his name was Joe Schmo, sure, 1,145 yards and 11 touchdowns is a great season but we expected more from the former Pro Bowler and rushing champion.
9. J.C. Tretter
J.C. Tretter might be higher on this list if the NFL recognized him for the talent that he is. Tretter has been a great addition to the team and has really shown just how valuable he is at the middle of the line, navigating blocking assignments and calling out defensive looks in order to pick up the guys they need to pick up. As far as blocking assignments and adjustments go, he’s a borderline genius.
8. Denzel Ward
Like some on this list, injuries and an inability to stay healthy limited Denzel Ward’s position on this list. He could be one of the best corners in the entire league but his inability to stay on the field is hurting that standing. He’s heading into the last year of his rookie deal and he needs to prove he can actually play an entire season before anyone starts talking about huge extensions.
7. Jarvis Landry
Jarvis Landry played most of the year with a hip that needed more time to heal than most, but not all, expected. We warned everyone that Landry would not look like his old self for most of the year and that’s exactly what happened. As Landry played and continued to improve his health, he looked better and better to the point that he regained his old form the last four or five weeks of the season. He should return to form for 2021.
6. Wyatt Teller
The emergence of Wyatt Teller in 2020 was a heck of a story for many. The problem is that he was 1.) Hurt for nearly a third of the season and 2.) Needs to do it again. He might be a future Hall of Famer in this scheme if he stays healthy, he also might be a one-year wonder. Before anyone talks about huge contracts for Teller, he has to prove he’s healthy and consistent enough to warrant one.
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.