Cleveland Browns: 5 bold predictions for the 2016 season
Joe Haden will return to the Pro Bowl
Joe Haden was in the best stage of his career before the 2015 season. He was just elected to his second Pro Bowl and entered 2015 as one of the top defensive backs in the league.
Several bad games and injuries later, 2015 was the worst season of Haden’s career. The injuries had a lot to do with it, but Haden enters 2016 looking to prove he is still the same dominant player who can shut down the best receivers in the NFL.
Haden had ankle surgery earlier this year, but appears to be back at full health.
#Browns Hue Jackson on Joe Haden coming off ankle surgery: "He looks like the same corner I used to play against''
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) September 8, 2016
A healthy Haden is great for a young Browns defense who will be looking to Haden as a veteran voice throughout the season.
A healthy Haden is a threat to opposing offenses, and his return in 2016 will lead to him being named to his third Pro Bowl.
It may be tough to see Haden back at an elite level after his play last season seemed to usher in a decline, but it was clear he was never playing at full health. The rest of the defense also had a lot of holes, putting too much pressure on an already injured Haden.
The new defense is young, but there is talent all over. This will take pressure off Haden, and allow him to focus on being a shutdown corner. He will return to his All-Pro level of play, and will be playing some extra football in early 2017.
Next: Carl Nassib receiving honors