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How the Cleveland Browns roster matches up against the Ravens so far

By Mitch Zoloty

CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 22: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns hands off the ball to Nick Chubb #24 against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half in the game at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 22: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns hands off the ball to Nick Chubb #24 against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half in the game at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – NOVEMBER 11: Austin Hooper #81 of the Atlanta Falcons runs the ball in for a touchdown defended by Jabrill Peppers #22 of the Cleveland Browns in the fourth quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 11, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – NOVEMBER 11: Austin Hooper #81 of the Atlanta Falcons runs the ball in for a touchdown defended by Jabrill Peppers #22 of the Cleveland Browns in the fourth quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 11, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Tight End Advantage: Browns

Before this offseason, the advantage would’ve easily went to the Browns. The Ravens were three deep with good tight ends in Nick Boyle, Mark Andrews, and Hayden Hurst. The Browns had David Njoku, but that was pretty much it. This offseason, things have changed drastically.

The Browns have acquired Austin Hooper, who is a top-five tight end in the NFL. The Browns also have a young stud in Stephen Carlson, who could develop into a valuable backup tight end for the team. The Ravens have shipped Hurst off to the Falcons to replace the hole that Hooper left.

The duo of Hooper and Njoku is superior to Boyle and Andrews. Hooper and Andrews are both Pro Bowl tight ends who have not entered their prime yet. They could both be top tight ends in the NFL for the next five years. The real difference here comes from Njoku and Boyle.

Njoku is younger, has produced more, and has a higher ceiling. Njoku’s potential is realistically the highest of any tight end in this bunch, but he is far from it. 2020 will be huge for his development, as he is coming off a poor season derailed by injury.

It may take a little bit of an adjustment period to get Hooper fully into the Browns offense, but he could be looking at a 1,000 yard receiving season in a Browns uniform in 2020 or 2021. Andrews, Mayfield’s former teammate at Oklahoma, is in the same situation. This is probably the closest position, as both teams have top-tier position groups here.

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