Cleveland Browns: 5 players with key roles for playoff push

4. TE Austin Hooper

When Austin Hooper signed the largest tight end contract in NFL history (at the time, at least) this offseason, many expected bigger things from him than the 42 catches, 398 yards, and three touchdowns he’s logged this season. To be fair, Hooper has missed three games due to an appendectomy and a neck injury, and it’s not the easiest thing to build chemistry with your new quarterback via Zoom conferences.

After being targeted 97 times in 13 games last season with the Falcons, Hooper has had the ball thrown his way 60 times in 12 matches this year. That’s due to Baker Mayfield having less than 75 percent as many attempts as Matt Ryan did at this point in 2019. Mayfield has been dominating through the air since Week 7, but for the majority of the season, the Browns have been a running team.

Hooper has caught over 76 percent of his targets on the season and has just two drops. He’s proven to be a reliable target (although he did drop two passes against New York) and a solid blocker. Playoff teams must find different ways to win and whether Cleveland’s trio of receivers are back for the season finale or not, Hooper will be a major factor for the rest of the campaign.