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5 Bold predictions for Cleveland Browns 2021 season ahead of training camp

By Randy Gurzi

BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 13: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns prepares to call for the snap against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium on September 13, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 13: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns prepares to call for the snap against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium on September 13, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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Anthony Schwartz #5 of the Auburn Tigers. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

4. Schwartz becomes WR3

Fans absolutely love Rashard Higgins. The former fifth-round pick has developed into one of the more consistent pass-catchers on the Cleveland Browns roster and he’s fresh off his best season as a pro.

In 2020, he had 37 receptions for a career-high 599 yards and added four touchdowns and that has fans in the Dawg Pound even more excited about what he could do moving forward.

The problem is, it doesn’t seem as though the coaching staff is as fond of Higgins as the fans are. We were all hoping this was specific only to Freddie Kitchens and that Higgins’ four receptions for 55 yards in 2019 was the outlier. But in 2020, things weren’t starting out much better.

First, Cleveland nearly didn’t even bring him back as it wasn’t until after the draft when he was re-signed to a one-year deal. Then, Higgins hardly saw the field at all before Odell Beckham, Jr. was hurt. In fact, he had just five receptions before the ACL tear was suffered by Beckham.

Perhaps being forced onto the field will change the minds of those who call the plays in Cleveland. I mean, they had to be impressed with what he did in place of Beckham — and they did re-sign Higgins much earlier this offseason. But they also have a new wideout who they hand-picked in Anthony Schwartz.

The Auburn product is an absolute lightning bolt on the field with sub-4.3 speed. The Browns need some of that on offense and for that reason, this bold prediction is that Schwartz will beat out Higgins for the No. 3 job behind Beckham and Jarvis Landry.

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