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5 unknown Cleveland Browns who might surprise in 2021

By Elliot Kennel

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 27: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Ja'Marcus Bradley #84 of the Cleveland Browns in action against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on December 27, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Jets defeated the Browns 23-16. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 27: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Ja'Marcus Bradley #84 of the Cleveland Browns in action against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on December 27, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Jets defeated the Browns 23-16. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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Cleveland Browns
CARSON, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 13: Wide receiver Ryan Switzer #10 of the Pittsburgh Steelers carries the ball against outside linebacker Thomas Davis #58 of the Los Angeles Chargers at Dignity Health Sports Park on October 13, 2019 in Carson, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images) /

Ryan Switzer brings over 2000 all-purpose yards to the Browns

The Browns have a kid sitting on the far end of the bench with more than 2000 all-purpose yards to his name. That would be Ryan Switzer, the ex-Steeler and ex-Cowboy, who can play the slot and be a decent extra wide receiver and he can return punts and kicks.

He has been targeted 62 times in his NFL career and has caught 50 of those balls. His lifetime NFL catch percentage is 80.6 percent, which is insane.

Switzer’s yards per target is only 5.2 lifetime, which is nothing to write home about. Conclusion — if you throw him the ball, he will catch it, but he is not a breakaway threat. This kid ran a 4.51, which is fast enough. Still, there is absolutely no reason to deny him a roster spot if he is healthy.

Draft talk is always about drafting speedy wide receivers. This fan is not so sure that the Browns have to have dozens of wide receivers on the roster. Unless they make a trade or something, they have Odell Beckham, Jr. Jarvis Landry, and Rashard Higgins. Those guys are not horrible, despite all the complaining from supposed fans.

Remember also that the Browns like to play two tight ends and two backs frequently. Five wide receivers are optimum. Six is on the heavy side and seven is ridiculous.

The number four wide receiver might be Donovan People-Jones, who averaged only 21.7 yards per reception last season, with a 70.0 catch percentage. Yes, it is a small data sample, but how much can we ask from a number four wide receiver? KhaDarel Hodge, who has 4.3 breakaway speed is also a special teams demon.

Browns fans, or at least a vocal minority that post in our pages, think that the team’s wide receiver corps is horrible and cannot wait to replace them. But already on the outside looking in is a guy who snags 80 percent of every ball that is thrown his way, while also running back kicks and punts.

Here’s hoping the Browns can avoid over-drafting wide receivers. It’s up to Switzer to fight his way onto the team. He’s capable, but there is already a numbers issue. But wait, we are just getting started, fans. Let’s take a look at another superior prospect, Ja’Marcus Bradley.

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