Cleveland Browns: 5 Players on the Hot Seat in 2015

Oct 12, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns outside linebacker Paul Kruger (99) against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports

As we stride closer and closer to the start of the season, there are a few players that simply need to perform in 2015 to guarantee a future with the Cleveland Browns. I guess you could say that about any player on any roster, but some are just on a shorter leash than others.

The reason could be because of distraction, – cough cough, Johnny Manziel – underperformance for an extended period of time, or a large contract. This current Browns roster isn’t one filled with many on the fringe type of players, but a few caught my eye.

Since the 2011 CBA (collective bargaining agreement), turnover on NFL rosters has been enormous. Unless a contract is heavy in guaranteed money, almost no player is safe from being cut even a season after signing a long-term deal. Stability and loyalty are no longer words associated with NFL teams and players. If you don’t perform, you’re no longer looked at as worthy enough to be retained based on salary cap restrictions.

Other players simply haven’t performed based on draft status and team expectations, which can lead to people within the organization to wonder if they will ever turn things around. Thus, we have the hot seat.

So without further ado, here are five Browns who need a strong 2015 campaign to secure their future long-term with the organization.

Next: Paul Kruger