Super Bowl contenders are filled with players who overachieve expectations. Here are some Cleveland Browns who can be unsung heroes during the 2020 season.
There is no doubt the Cleveland Browns have loaded up on talent this offseason. General manager Andrew Berry was able to sign a Pro Bowl offensive tackle and tight end on offense, while also patching up the defense with multiple one-year deals.
It’s easy to set back and say Myles Garrett is going to have 15 sacks or Baker Mayfield is going to throw for 35 touchdowns in 2020. While those are great numbers, fans expect the superstars on a team to perform.
The same could be said for Austin Hooper and Nick Chubb. The bigger headline would be them having a down year compared to Chubb competing for the rushing title and Hooper being a highly utilized red zone target for Mayfield. You hate to take things for granted, but if you want to be competitive in the NFL, the highest-paid players on the roster MUST perform at a high level.
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For example, Rashard Higgins having 600 receiving yards and five touchdowns would be a better stat line than Odell Beckham Jr. having 1,200 receiving yards and nine touchdowns next season. Beckham is making big money and the team relies on him to perform.
In order to take the next step, the Browns need to find the “next guy up” on the roster making $1 million per year to breakout. Higgins, who will be the No. 3 receiver, would blow expectations out of the water with the above stat line and could be exactly what the team needs to take it to the next level.
The Browns have a roster that is as good as any in the NFL. Now it is time for the stars to perform and to remove themselves from the coveted list of “teams without a playoff win” that is shown so often in January. Here is a look at three players who normally fly under the radar but will be a huge part of the success in Cleveland next season.