The Cleveland Browns secondary will have its hands full this coming season. Who are the most difficult receivers they will need to contain?
The 2015 regular season was a struggle for the Cleveland Browns in many areas. One area in which they encountered difficulty was defending the air attack, ranking No. 22 overall in the league in pass defense. While the secondary is young and ought to be poised for improvement in 2016, opposing receivers featured in the upcoming schedule will not make this easy.
Although the Browns will need many of their young defenders to step up, the secondary’s success will depend a great deal on if their leader, cornerback Joe Haden, can complete an entire season injury free.
Despite what many predict to be a much improved season for Cleveland’s pass defense, they will have their hands full defending some of the top receivers in the game. The Browns’ 2016 schedule features some of the most talented receivers in the NFL, providing true tests of the secondary’s progress.
These five opposing receivers will give the Browns’ young secondary difficulty throughout the season.
Next: 5. Jarvis Landry
The Week 3 clash with the Miami Dolphins seems to be one of the more favorable matchups for the Browns in 2016. After all, the Dolphins, like the Browns, are in a rebuilding process and have low expectations entering the season. Still, as with any potent offense, the Browns pass defense will be suspect.
Third-year Miami star Jarvis Landry is expected to have an even more productive 2016 as he becomes the center of attention on an inexperienced but talented Dolphins offense. Miami head coach Adam Gase will undoubtedly be seeking an even more involved role for Landry this season, and Miami will look to expose a sub-par pass defense such as Cleveland’s as much as possible.
It is clear that Landry will be a momentous part of the Dolphins game plan, and the Browns unseasoned secondary must respond. It will most likely be a collective effort to contain Landry, as it most often is with a player of his caliber. But what is certain is that Joe Haden will have to be at the top of his game. Landry’s athletic ability is intimidating, and he towers over the majority of the Browns defenders. Defensive Coordinator Ray Horton will need to develop a scheme which effectively neutralizes the former LSU Tiger.
In his rookie season, Landry recorded 84 receptions for 758 yards. Last season, in the same amount of games, his role on the Dolphins offense was more significant, inflating his receptions to 110 for a total of 1157 yards. If the pattern persists, it can only be inferred that Landry will be even more involved this season, making him one of the toughest receivers the Browns will have the difficult task of containing this season.
Next: 4. Dez Bryant
It isn’t often the Browns welcome America’s team to First Energy Stadium, as Cleveland only hosts the Cowboys once every eight seasons. Although the Cowboys aren’t a major rival in any sense for the Browns, the contest still matters, and the Browns will need to stop a very potent offense to have a legitimate chance at winning.
Week 9 will also be a very critical game for this Cleveland team, as it may be an early “must win” if they are indeed in playoff contention. A home game against a team with a lot of unknown factors is certainly a winnable game, if the Browns can keep one of the most dominant players in football in check.
Dez Bryant is one of the more valuable weapons in all of football, and though he struggled with injuries in 2015, he managed to put up some of the best receiving stats in the game. Now, with a healthy Tony Romo, and a running back drafted in the first round, there will be less pressure on Bryant, which should increase his production.
With all of these weapons, including Cowboys mainstay Jason Witten, the key for Cleveland’s secondary will be to stay disciplined. They can’t overreact to any big play, but must still devote a lot of their scheme to slowing down Bryant. Bryant’s 6-foot-2, 225 pound frame will be a difficult size advantage to neutralize, but the Browns have no choice, as one play made by Bryant can completely alter the complexion of this game.
Many say the former Oklahoma State Cowboy has passed his prime, as he had his career high 16 touchdown receptions in 2014. However, Bryant is only 28 years old, and is certainly physically capable of returning to his 2014 form. The Browns will have their hands full with a young, undersized secondary going up against one of the biggest offensive threats in all of football.
It is possible that a cold November day on the shores of Lake Erie will benefit the Browns, especially in their task to prevent Bryant from having a monster game. In fact, an assist from Mother Nature would be greatly appreciated in what may be a crucial contest.
Regardless, Dez Bryant will be one of the toughest offensive threats the Browns will face. They know this secondary won’t completely shut him down, but if they can limit the imprint he leaves on this game, the Browns may steal a victory against a good offense.
Next: 3. A.J. Green
The Cincinnati Bengals have given the Browns all sorts of trouble the past few seasons, as the Bengals have been a force to reckon with. The leader of the defending AFC North champions’ offense is one of the most talented playmakers in the game, and his name is A.J. Green. Another 28-year-old considered to be just past his prime if not still in it, Green presents a unique challenge to secondaries that is nearly impossible to combat successfully.
The 6-foot-4, 205 pound former Georgia Bulldog has exceptional hands, and a height advantage over just about every cornerback and safety in football. On one play, the Bengals will draw up a bubble screen, getting Green an easy reception for several yards underneath. But then, Green will make an incredible play downfield on a post pattern or a back shoulder fade in the red zone. Bump and run coverage will never work against a receiver with the size and athletic ability of Green, and multiple defenders are often needed to limit his receptions.
Not only is his size and ability daunting, Green’s assets go beyond raw talent. Some of the greatest contributions Green makes to Cincinnati’s offense comes when he is blocking, opening up lanes for other receivers or running backs, such as Brandon Tate or Jeremy Hill. Both of these players have astounding career statistics against Cleveland, partially due to Green’s hidden skill of blocking.
Green’s ability to gain extra yards after the catch is another way he can help the Bengals offense, specifically against a Browns defense who do not tackle very well, somewhat due to their size. In each of Green’s previous five seasons, he has recorded at least 1,000 yards of receiving.
Additionally, as a big red zone threat who has scored 45 career touchdowns, Green can inflict damage on the Browns in a variety of ways, making him the most well-rounded receiver the Browns will face in 2016.
Fortunately, the Browns can gain an edge against Green and Cincinnati’s offense through the knowledge of their head coach. Hue Jackson served on the Bengals’ staff as Offensive Coordinator in 2014 and 2015. Whether this has a noticeable impact in their Week 7 and Week 14 matchups is yet to be seen.
What is inevitable however, is that these two games will be two of the toughest for the Browns to emerge victorious in. If one or two wins are to be achieved, stopping A.J. Green would go a long way, as he is deserving of being one of the top three most challenging receivers the Browns will defend this season.
Next: Odell Beckham Jr.
The Browns will welcome the New York Giants to town in Week 12, preceding their later than usual bye week. On the surface, it appears that this matchup bodes well for the Browns, as they have won three out of their last four games at home against NFC opponents.
The conditions in late November may also favor the Browns, especially against the Giants passing attack. However, Cleveland’s secondary will face a unique challenge in one of the most, if not the, most talented wide receivers in all of football in Odell Beckham Jr.
Beckham, the No. 12 overall selection of the 2014 NFL Draft, exploded into a football sensation, dropping jaws across the league with his circus grabs. On an offense which lacks a real potent spark, Beckham is often times the sole source of production. His 1,450 receiving yards last season was the fifth-most among all receivers, and his 1,305 in his rookie year was enough to net him Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.
Sure, Beckham may light up the scoreboard only because he is the center of attention on New York’s offense, but his incredible first two years statistically are no accidents. Beckham is a difficult downfield threat for any defense to deal with.
The third-year touchdown machine is so effective not only due to his reliable pass catching ability, but also because of his blazing speed. To combat Beckham, the Browns will need to pay much more attention to him defensively, which they can afford to do since the Giants lack alternate big play options. If the Browns can shut down Beckham with not only Joe Haden, but Justin Gilbert, and help from their safeties as well, they can make him stagnant by not allowing him to run freely in the open field.
One of the main keys to winning this Week 12 matchup is making sure Beckham doesn’t win this game for him team alone. The strategy should be fairly simple, but still, any mistake or miscommunication within the secondary will be exploited. Beckham could easily take over this game, making stopping him one of the toughest tasks the Browns will face this season.
Next: 1. Antonio Brown
There may not be a more bitter rivalry within the AFC North than when the Cleveland Browns face the Pittsburgh Steelers. This staple in every Browns season is renewed once again in Week 11 and Week 17 in 2016. Though the Steelers present a variety of challenges to a rebuilding Browns organization, one of the most notable is their seventh-year wide receiver, Antonio Brown.
Brown has made himself a name not only in Pittsburgh, but in all of football, finishing 2015 second only to Julio Jones in receiving yards. Even so, his 1,834 yards is no insult to his teammates, as he competes alongside capable receivers such as Markus Wheaton and Darrius Heyward-Bey. Naturally, this makes facing a team like Pittsburgh a completely different animal than an opponent such as the Giants. The Browns defensive scheme is now a balance, as they seek to give Brown enough attention to limit his production, while making sure opportunities for others still do not come easily.
More from Dawg Pound Daily
- How the Browns could maximize Nick Chubb in 2023
- Can Deshaun Watson get to Patrick Mahomes level for Cleveland Browns?
- 3 Cleveland Browns who should see an expanded role in 2023 and 1 who should not
- Is Marcus Davenport on the Browns radar in 2023?
- 5 Free agents from Super Bowl LVII Cleveland Browns should target
Overall, Brown is a very well-rounded receiver. He has speed and hands, and is shifty in the open field. While he won’t break the tackles that A.J. Green will, Brown has given the Cleveland Browns a whole host of trouble his entire career. Against the Browns, the 28-year-old has recorded more receptions, more yards, and more touchdowns than he has against any other team. He also excels on third down and in the red zone, delivering crushing blows to defenses in critical moments of games.
The overall talent of Pittsburgh’s offense is part of what makes Brown seemingly impossible to defend. In these two games, the Browns will need to rely on their safeties to be sharp, as cornerbacks will not be able to defend this potent offense on their own.
In a sense, this is good news, as breakout Cleveland Brown K’Waun Williams is poised to make strides in 2016. He will need to be special in the games against Pittsburgh if the Browns want to slow down the numerous threats the Steelers present offensively.
Pittsburgh’s pass offense ranked third in the NFL in 2015, largely due to Brown. In recent history, Cleveland has had a difficult time defeating Pittsburgh to say the least. Stopping their passing attack would go a long way in reversing this trend. If the Browns want to do this, their only option is to at least limit the damage the Steelers star receiver inflicts. Since he is one of the top receivers in football, and he has had more success against Cleveland than against any other team in his career, Antonio Brown will be the most difficult receiving threat the Browns will face in 2016.
For Cleveland’s young secondary, this upcoming season is going to be a form of “baptism by fire”. The challenging receivers the Browns have on the schedule this season seems unfortunately coincidental for a team that needs work in the area of defending the passing attack. This top five list did not even include other formidable threats, such as Brandon Marshall and the entire Patriots offense, who come to Cleveland in Week 5, Tom Brady‘s first week back from his suspension.
Next: Browns 2016 Depth Chart Projection
Still, facing all of these star receivers will be a good indicator of the progress the Browns secondary is making. It is paramount that this Cleveland defense makes strides immediately, and limits the role some of the most productive receivers in football that they face have.
If the Browns can overcome these daunting tasks, they will be in position for significant improvement in 2016.