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")
New Orleans Saints
RB – Great
Alvin Kamara is a dynamic offensive weapon, and both Latavius Murray and Dwyane Washington provide quality depth.
WR – Good
Michael Thomas didn’t catch a touchdown last season, but he’s still one of the best at his position. Tre’Quan Smith is solid, if a tad bit disappointing. There isn’t a ton after these two, something that will likely be addressed in the draft.
TE – Decent
Nick Vannett is solid, and Adam Trautman had an encouraging rookie season, especially as a blocker.
OL – Good
The Saints have a pair of bookends in Terron Armstead and Andrus Peat, along with a quality center in Erik McCoy. Andrus Peat and Cesar Ruiz were not great in 2020.
DT – Good
David Onyemata is one of the most underrated defensive linemen in the league. Shy Tuttle is the only other player in the room who saw significant snaps in 2020, as both Sheldon Rankins and Malcom Brown are playing elsewhere this season.
EDGE – Great
New Orleans may have lost Trey Hendrickson to free agency, but they still have Cameron Jordan playing at a high level, along with Marcus Davenport, who continues to improve. Tanoh Kpassagnon was signed away from Kansas City and provides excellent physical traits as a backup.
LB – Decent
DeMario Davis has become a very good player since joining the Saints in 2018, but the team doesn’t have a ton behind or next to him. The Saints traded up with the Browns in third round last year, giving up their 2021 third-rounder to move up 14 spots to select Zack Baun, who played all of 102 snaps as a rookie.
CB – Good
Marshon Lattimore hasn’t been able to repeat his rookie performance, but he’s still a quality No.1 cornerback. Chauncey Gardner-Johnson is a good slot corner with the versatility to play safety, and he’s also an elite trash talker. New Orleans will likely want to upgrade over Patrick Robinson at the No.2 spot.
S – Great
Marcus Williams is an elite coverage safety, and the Saints did everything they could to keep him around this offseason. Malcolm Jenkins is still a quality starter at the age of 33. P.J. Williams and the aforementioned Gardner-Johnson provide depth.