Will the Cleveland Browns contend in the AFC North?

Will the Cleveland Browns contend in the AFC North this year?

The Cleveland Browns are coming into the 2020 season after a poor showing in 2019, looking to turn it all around, starting with Baker Mayfield. Baker can get it done, and after his offseason workouts, cutting weight, and speeding up his feet which only plays into the new offense that loves to play action and roll out.

All of this plays into the strengths of the offense in its current state. Having a quarterback with the ability to move will only help limit sacks and increase his chances to escape with some of the in-division battles they will have — such as with the above-average defensive line in Baltimore and the top three defensive line in Pittsburgh.

Baker Mayfield will have a successful season if he sticks with this offense and doesn’t try to force it like he did last year, which got him into trouble and even had some fans calling for his head. Honestly, if you were one of those fans, you can pound salt because you’re missing a slice or two of pie. However, if for some reason, Baker Mayfield has a down year again, even after moving to an offense that enhances his strengths, the Cleveland Browns will be drafting a quarterback within the top ten picks next year.

Odell Beckham Jr will have over 1,000-yards receiving again, over five touchdowns, his catch percentage was only 55.6 percent last year, that will be closer to 65 percent this year, and his yards per game will be up over 80.

These numbers will get him a pro bowl spot, and help propel this team over tough division rivals and hopefully into the playoffs. According to PFF, OBJ was the 60th best wide receiver last year, Jarvis Landry was ranked 20th and was the top receiver in the AFC North by at least 20 spots, with Tyler Boyd being next at 40th. Expect OBJ to be closer to 20th this year.

Jarvis Landry is coming back from offseason surgery on his hip but has not been hindered by it. The surgery was needed and OBJ was one of the people who talked him into having it done. Landry, according to PFF, was the best receiver in the AFC North in 2019. In 2020, expect him to stay close to where he was.

No reason to decline when entering a season that only added to an already deadly offense when firing on all cylinders. Better play-calling, hopeful better quarterback play, and with the addition of better tight ends only spreads the field more for this offense. Landry will be a pro bowler for the Cleveland Browns again in 2020.

Nick Chubb was the best running back in the NFL last season according to PFF. Know where Kareem Hunt ended up in the rankings? Way, way, way down at 11th. Hunt only played half of the season. Oh yeah, Hunt was also third on the Browns in receiving last year. In only eight games.

This might be a sign that the Cleveland Browns needed to spread the ball around more last year, and absolutely expect them to do so this year. Nick Chubb will be who we all have come to expect him to be, the quiet professional who goes to work every Sunday and puts the team on his back when he is carrying the ball.

This will be a good offense with the potential to be great when they put it all together. Have faith and stay the course Browns fans.