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5 Cleveland Browns poised to breakout across the second half of the season

By Chad Porto

Oct 9, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns linebacker Sione Takitaki (44) motions to fans before the game between the Browns and the Los Angeles Chargers at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns linebacker Sione Takitaki (44) motions to fans before the game between the Browns and the Los Angeles Chargers at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Browns offensive tackle Jack Conklin celebrates a David Njoku first-half touchdown against the Steelers, Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022, in Cleveland.Brownssteelers 38
Browns offensive tackle Jack Conklin celebrates a David Njoku first-half touchdown against the Steelers, Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022, in Cleveland.Brownssteelers 38 /

Jack Conklin

The former All-Pro is returning to slowly but surely returning to his peak. Since returning from injury and missing the first two weeks of action, Jack Conklin has been very up and down. His lower leg strength doesn’t seem to have returned just yet after his patellar tendon injury from a year ago. He was once the best run-blocker on the team, and now, at least according to PFF, he’s no longer the same force.

He’s posting just a 64.3 in that area for the year, with his best performances coming in weeks the team runs less. His season-high grade in that area came in Week 7 against the Baltimore Ravens, where he posted a 75.7, but it was also the same week the Browns ran just 22 times, the second-fewest of the season in games Conklin has played.

Conklin has, however, excelled at pass blocking. As bad as he’s been getting his feet under him and powering forward, the lateral quickness seems to be back. He’s posting a PFF pass-blocking grade of 79.8. That’s a pretty high mark and one that shows he will eventually find his footing.

It takes a while to come back from major knee surgery, and getting a quarterback who’s mobile and can help take the pressure off of you with his feet, should only help Conklin’s marks go up.

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