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Cleveland Browns studs and duds following Week 9 collapse

By Cory Kinnan

DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 3: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns looks on from the sideline in the first quarter of a game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on November 3, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 3: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns looks on from the sideline in the first quarter of a game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on November 3, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 16: Robby Anderson #11 of the New York Jets is hit by Greedy Williams #26 and Olivier Vernon #54 of the Cleveland Browns in the second half at MetLife Stadium on September 16, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 16: Robby Anderson #11 of the New York Jets is hit by Greedy Williams #26 and Olivier Vernon #54 of the Cleveland Browns in the second half at MetLife Stadium on September 16, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images) /

Stud: Olivier Vernon

By far the unsung hero of the Browns’ defense thus far has been defensive end Olivier Vernon, who continues to play at a high level for the brown and orange. Grading out at a high 81.3 according to PFF, Vernon is the second-highest player on the Browns’ defense to just his counterpart Myles Garrett.

In this game, Vernon could be seen forcing the action back inside to a tandem of defensive tackles who were not doing their jobs, and even picked up his third sack of the season. Vernon’s value is not tallied on the stat sheet, but his status on the Browns is as a much-needed asset to Steve Wilks’ defense.

He finished the game with a sack and two tackles for the brown and orange defense, but is always in the right position and always doing his job. If they could go back, the Browns would trade right guard Kevin Zeitler for Vernon over and over again.

Do not put the Browns’ poor performance against the run on Vernon as he is doing his job on the edge, keeping contain, and forcing the action back inside. As the season goes on, it would be great to see Richardson and Ogunjobi doing their job; for now, Vernon is a veteran leader who does what he is told to do for the Browns.

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