NFL Insider: Cleveland Browns could surprise in 2018
NFL Insider Jason La Canfora lists the Cleveland Browns as one of “Four NFL teams that will surprise people in 2018”. This is further evidence that the national narrative is changing regarding the Cleveland Browns.
Well what do you know? The Cleveland Browns are getting some love from the national media. In a recent post on cbssports.com, NFL Insider Jason La Canfora lists the Cleveland Browns as one of four teams that will surprise people in 2018.
Specifically, Tyrod Taylor garnered attention:
"The presence, patience and ability to protect the football that Tyrod Taylor brings will be huge. He can help close games out, and he won’t give games away. This defense will be even better knowing it has a quarterback who won’t undermine them. – Jason La Canfora, CBSSports.com"
This isn’t surprising. In fact, our own Randy Gurzi wrote about the culture change that is becoming more clear in Cleveland.
What does, however, make this article stand out is that La Canfora has long been considered one of the harshest critics of all things having to do with the Cleveland Browns.
With the draft complete, here are some teams I expect to step up in 2018: https://t.co/w2zKeysitP
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) May 2, 2018
What La Canfora’s article really highlights, yet again, are the moves the Browns made before the draft. By addressing the skill positions with the additions of Tyrod Taylor, Jarvis Landry and Carlos Hyde, the Cleveland Browns have added playmakers the likes of which have not been seen since at least 2007, and quite possibly since they returned in 1999.
In addition to La Canfora, NFL.com NFL media draft analyst Lance Zierlein ranked the Browns draft class number 6 out of 32.
"I like what Cleveland did, but I didn’t love it. Obviously, anytime you pass on the top-rated players for a need position like QB it can come back to haunt you, but when you do it again for an undersized (but talented) cornerback in Ward, it opens you up for second guessing. Corbett and Chubb are solid ballers. The upsides of Callaway and Ratley have me excited. – Lance Zierlein – NFL.com"
Alas, the more things change, the more they stay the same. NFL.com analyst, Elliot Harrison put out his post-draft power rankings this morning. Despite noting that the Browns may have added three new starters in the draft class, Harrison still listed them at No. 31.
Next: Who will be the steal of the draft?
It’s exciting to see the Cleveland Browns earning the attention, and respect, of the national sports media. However, many teams fail to live up to the weight of higher expectations. It’s your moment, Hue Jackson and we are all watching.