Browns: 5 players who need to step up against the Chargers

The Browns had an uncharacteristically bad day offensively

The Browns did not have the day they were hoping for against the Vikings on offense. The Minnesota defense, a top-10 worst in the league heading into the match-up with Cleveland, turned into the ’85 Bears and wrecked Cleveland all day.

While the rushing game got there’s as the game went on, it was clear the passing game was all out of whack. The offensive line fell apart at times, bad penalties and sloppy play killed more than one drive. The play calling was a bit peculiar at times, with Stefanski going for a touchdown instead of kicking the field goal on fourth down.

Then of course there’s the receiver and quarterback chemistry. It’s clearly not on Baker Mayfield alone, as he’s able to hit tight ends and running backs all day. He was also going buck wild on defenses in the first two weeks of the season. Now, credit to the Vikings, they didn’t luck into a bad game. They forced one, but that doesn’t mean that Mayfield couldn’t have done better. He could’ve. He also needs his teammates to do better as well.

These are five (six) players who need to do better against the Chargers

Demetric Felton/Anthony Schwartz

The speedy rookie duo of Demetric Felton and Anthony Schwartz has had very little impact on the offense. Despite Felton being a sixth-round pick and Schwartz being a third-round pick, many expected them to be game-changers due to their speed. Through four games they’ve been anything but. Felton had a receiving touchdown in his debut against Houston in Week 2, but since then hasn’t done anything. Likewise, Schwartz had a nice debut against Kansas City but has since proven to be a bit of a liability. Both men need to start making plays and they’ll need to do just that in Los Angeles against the Chargers.

Donovan Peoples-Jones

The receiving corp is in shambles really, and part of it has to do with Donovan Peoples-Jones. For some reason, he’s unable to get separation and hasn’t been someone Baker Mayfield feels comfortable going to. It’s time to start wondering why Rashard Higgins isn’t getting more calls.

Jedrick Wills

Jerick Wills has a PFF score of 65.5 and is a penalty machine so far through four games. He’s been playing with a bum ankle and if that’s the reason for his poor play then he shouldn’t be playing. He either needs to sit out and heal up or perform better. His inconsistent play is hurting the offensive line production.

Baker Mayfield

Baker Mayfield has struggled the last two weeks without Jarvis Landry on the field. Part of that could be he’s simply missing Landry’s reliability and chemistry but also part of it may be due to Odell Beckham returning to the fold and not being the playmaker many thought he’d be. If Mayfield is going to get a big new deal, he has to develop the relationship with his receivers better. It’s a complicated offense, and while Mayfield did miss some big passes during the Vikings game, it’s not entirely on him.

Odell Beckham Jr.

If he’s on the field, he needs to contribute. Mayfield forced a lot of passes to Odell Beckham in Minnesota and for little success. Part of the issue was Mayfield overthrew and underthrew a pass to Beckham, but a few fall on Beckham. Namely, a second-half pass that would’ve been an easy catch had Beckham looked back at Mayfield. Another big miss came when Beckham lost the ball in the lights of the stadium. An understandable mistake on its own, but only further compounds the situation with the Browns offense.