Do the Cleveland Browns really have the NFL’s best roster?
By Sam Penix
![Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) gets his team fired up before an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Monday, Dec. 14, 2020, in Cleveland, Ohio. [Jeff Lange/Beacon Journal]Browns 15 2](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2Fhttps-3A-2F-2Fdawgpounddaily-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fimagn-images-2F2018-2F08-2F15323401-850x560-c5709df25adc2a56b2da6caff3556e80fed8819439ef069980e104a9edbe95b3.jpg "Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) gets his team fired up before an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Monday, Dec. 14, 2020, in Cleveland, Ohio. [Jeff Lange/Beacon Journal]Browns 15 2")
Los Angeles Rams
RB – Good
The Rams have replaced Todd Gurley with the committee of Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson, and it works quite well.
WR – Great
Cooper Kupp is an excellent slot receiver. Robert Woods is one of the most underrated players in the league. Van Jefferson played well in limited opportunities as a rookie and should take a step forward in 2021, and DeSean Jackson may be getting up there in age, but he’s still faster than most players. The Rams may not have a typical No.1 option, but they have a lot of good targets running around.
TE – Good
Tyler Higbee is a solid blocker and a matchup nightmare in the passing game. Gerald Everett moving on to the Seattle Seahawks hurts the depth here.
OL – Good
It’s truly remarkable what Andrew Whitworth was able to accomplish last season; he tore his ACL and damaged his PCL in Week 10 and was back on the field for the team’s Wild Card victory over the Seahawks. The rest of the line features decent players, including former 33rd-overall Browns bust Austin Corbett.
DT – Elite
Sebastian Joseph-Day, Greg Gaines, and A’Shawn Robinson are all solid players. The Rams have perhaps the greatest defender of all time in Aaron Donald.
EDGE – Decent
Leonard Floyd put up a career-high 10.5 sacks over the regular season, but it was still a major surprise to see him get paid so well this offseason. Justin Hollins, Samson Ebukam, Obo Okoronkwo, and Terrell Lewis are all decent depth options.
LB – Poor
Micah Kiser, Troy Reeder, and Kenny Young make up the linebacker corps, and it’s not a great group. Everyone knows the Rams have an elite defense, but few know who their linebackers are.
CB – Great
Jalen Ramsey is exceptional. Darious Williams is a very good No.2 corner. The loss of Troy Hill to Cleveland leaves a massive hole at slot corner, one that perhaps third-year man David Long Jr. can fill.
S – Decent
Losing John Johnson III, also to Cleveland, is going to have a huge impact on LA’s defense this season. Both Taylor Rapp and Jordan Fuller have been solid thus far in their young careers, and Terell Burgess was a highly-regarded rookie last season. There is plenty of talent in the room, but not having that proven reliable veteran presence will hurt.