There’s plenty of reason for optimism around the Cleveland Browns this season, but these five players are the most vital to their success or failure in 2018
After winning just one game the past two seasons, the Cleveland Browns went all in on fixing their roster this offseason. They made a ton of moves in both the 2018 NFL Draft and free agency — as well as a couple wise trades for veteran starters at some key positions like quarterback and wide receiver.
The end result is a new look and a strong optimism about their future. It has yet to be seen if it will all work out, but there seems to be no way they don’t perform better than the past couple seasons.
In order to guarantee it though, the Browns will need some of their key players to step up. Here are five such members of their roster who will help determine their success — or failure ‚— in 2018.
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5. Duke Johnson, RB
He may not necessarily be the starter, but running back Duke Johnson will be a big part of the offense this season. He comes in ahead of starter Carlos Hyde because of the fact that Hyde could be replaced with second-round pick Nick Chubb.
Both of those players bring the same powerful style of play that can wear defenses down. Johnson however, is the home run hitter that can take advantage of a tired defense. His speed and ability to make people miss in the open field can change a game.
He can also dominate as a pass catcher, which makes him uniquely able to destroy opponents both by ground and by air. New offensive coordinator Todd Haley will love having such a weapon at his disposal and Johnson will have plenty of chances to prove his worth.
4. Denzel Ward, CB
There were a couple ways the Browns could have gone with the No. 4 overall pick and they absolutely made the right call. There were plenty of people who felt they should have gone with North Carolina State defensive end Bradley Chubb.
That would have been a good pick because pairing Chubb with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Myles Garrett, would have given them a monstrous pair of edge rushers. The only issue there is they could already have such a pairing.
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In 2016, they used the first pick in the second round on Oklahoma State defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah and he’s got a lot of upside. He and Garrett haven’t had a ton of time together due to injuries, but when they were together it was great.
Because of that, the Browns went a different direction. They selected Ohio State cornerback Denzel Ward instead and he fills a much bigger need. After trading away Jason McCourty, the Browns needed a solid starter and Ward has the makings of a potential shut down corner.
He should be a day one starter opposite E.J. Gaines — one of their many solid offseason acquisitions — and because he’s in his first year, he will be tested early and often.
The Browns will depend heavily on Ward to rise to the challenge and handle his man. He’s got the skill to do it, he will just have to prove it.
3. Josh Gordon, WR
Suspended for the better part of three seasons, Josh Gordon is fresh off his first full offseason since after the 2013 year. He showed glimpses of himself after finally returning in 2017, but this year he should be even better given the amount of work he’s gotten in.
And the Browns will need him to be on top of his game.
Yes, this roster is deeper at wide out than ever before with Gordon joined by Jarvis Landry, Corey Coleman and Antonio Callaway. Still, none of them can do what Gordon can.
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The former second-round supplemental pick is the most complete pass catcher on the team. He’s got the speed to get deep, the route running ability to be a possession target when necessary and can win the 50-50 ball with his insane athleticism and strength.
While Landry led the NFL in receptions last season, he doesn’t stretch a field like ‘Flash’ Gordon can. In 2013, Gordon went for a league-leading 1,646 yards — averaging 18.9 yards per catch (stats via NFL.com). Then there’s Coleman, who can simply fly on the field, but isn’t as polished or nearly as complete as Gordon.
He’s the most well-rounded receiver the Browns have and they need him on top of his game this season. If he is, their offense could be great.
2. Myles Garrett, DE
The Cleveland Browns didn’t see any quarterbacks worthy of the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. They apparently kicked the tires on Mitch Trubisky and even Deshuan Watson — who they had a second chance at with the No. 12 pick but traded that away to the Houston Texans.
With them not sold on any of the young signal callers, they went with Myles Garrett out of Texas A&M. He was considered to be the best overall player by just about everyone who studied the draft. Lance Zierlein of NFL.com was really high on the potential of Garrett and was highly complimentary while listing his strengths coming into the NFL:
"“Chiseled physique with functional strength, and not just beach muscles. Bigger than people think. Uber-athlete with spring-loaded hips and elite explosiveness. Powerful legs allow him to fight through redirect blocks and corner the edge at a sharp angle. Dominant pass-rush ability and production in college. Remarkable burst off the snap. His first three steps can throw an offense into disarray. When he times the snap, tackles have almost no chance of catching him at the edge.” — Zierlein, NFL.com"
Garrett fought injuries as a rookie, but still managed seven sacks in 11 games. In 2018, they need him to stay healthy and continue to pressure opposing quarterbacks. Hopefully he and Emmanuel Ogbah can see even more time together, because as was mentioned earlier, the two are dangerous when on the field together.
1. Tyrod Taylor, QB
The best move of the entire offseason for the Cleveland Browns could very well have been them surrendering just a third-round pick in exchange for a quarterback with 43 career starts. He also happens to be fresh off ending the longest playoff drought in the NFL.
That player is Tyrod Taylor, who took the Buffalo Bills to the post season, and now he joins the next team up with the longest post season drought. Taylor gives the Browns their best starter since returning to the NFL in 1999 and he’s also got the confidence they need.
Taylor is already building up his roster and talking about the playoffs, even saying he wants to knock his old franchise out of the tournament.
While no one will confuse Taylor with someone the caliber of Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers, he can be a great game manager who very rarely turns the ball over. He’s accurate, dependable and can hurt teams with his legs just as much as his arm.
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On top of that, Taylor now has better weapons than he’s ever had in his disposal during his career. Cleveland will lean on him heavily and no one will have a greater impact on the success, or failure, of their 2018 season.