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5 Most under-hyped Cleveland Browns in 2020

By Randy Gurzi

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 15: Adrian Clayborn #99 of the Atlanta Falcons runs onto the field prior to the start of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on December 15, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 15: Adrian Clayborn #99 of the Atlanta Falcons runs onto the field prior to the start of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on December 15, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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Cleveland Browns
CLEVELAND, OH – DECEMBER 23: Rashard Higgins #81 of the Cleveland Browns dives for a touchdown in front of Darius Phillips #23 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the third quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

3. Rashard Higgins, Wide Receiver

The Browns receiving corps in 2019 was supposed to be stacked. They entered the season with Odell Beckham, Jr., Jarvis Landry, Antonio Callaway, and Rashard Higgins. Of course, we all know what happened with Callaway who was unable to stay eligible to play and was ultimately released. What we don’t know is what exactly happened to Higgins.

Back in 2018, Higgins was one of Baker Mayfield’s favorite targets. He was a smooth route runner with reliable hands and he absolutely excelled at the contested catch. He finished that breakout season with 39 receptions for 572 yards and scored four touchdowns.

This past season, however, he hardly saw the field — even with Callaway being released. Higgins finished with just four receptions for 55 yards and a single touchdown — although that was a game-winning score. For whatever reason, he and former head coach Freddie Kitchens just seemed to be on opposite pages. And it wasn’t as if anyone was stepping up and keeping Higgins off the field.

No other wideouts besides OBJ and Landry threatened defenses in 2019 and that led to a belief they needed to add more help in this area. Cleveland didn’t seem to share that desperation as they exited the draft with only Donovan Peoples-Jones as a new addition.

Thankfully, they re-signed Higgins shortly after and he gives them a legitimate option as the No. 3 wideout. 2019 was most likely an anomaly and the veteran receiver being retained was one of their more underrated moves this offseason.

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