3 Predictions for Cleveland Browns preseason opener
By Randy Gurzi
1. Baker caps off the first drive with a touchdown to OBJ
No story in the NFL seemed to gain more press than the Browns trade for Odell Beckham, Jr. It had been discussed since last season as OBJ was practicing with members of the team which included former quarterback Tyrod Taylor, tight end David Njoku, and quarterback Baker Mayfield. Also involved was Jarvis Landry, who is best friends with OBJ and was integral in connecting his former LSU teammate to his crew in Cleveland.
Once the trade finally happened, the idea of having one of the most electrifying receivers in the game catching passes from Mayfield started to get fans excited. Beckham is a threat to score from anywhere on the field as he’s a sensational route runner and has great deep speed. He’s also amazing when it comes to pulling in contested passes and as a catch radius much larger than expected considering he’s under 6-foot tall.
Beckham has been slowed down the past couple of seasons due to injury, but still managed 1,052 yards and six touchdowns in 12 games last year. Overall, he has 5,476 yards and 44 touchdowns in five years and 59 games played. He’s also had plenty of issues around him offensively as Eli Manning has started to decline and the Giants failed to put a lot of talent around him to help him avoid double — and at times, triple-team coverage.
Now, he has a younger quarterback who throws the ball with much more velocity — and is very accurate when going deep. The combination is great and will help both sides. In this final prediction, the two prove they’re on the same page and cap off the opening drive with the first of many touchdowns from No. 6 to No. 13.
Next. 5 Things to watch in Browns first preseason game. dark
They likely won’t play much — if at all — after that, but the appetizer will be enough to get fans excited about what’s coming up this season.