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3 biggest holes on the 2021 Cleveland Browns roster

By Greg Newland

Jan 10, 2021; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) celebrates with wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) on the sideline against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth quarter of an AFC Wild Card playoff game at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2021; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) celebrates with wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) on the sideline against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth quarter of an AFC Wild Card playoff game at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cleveland Browns
Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) rushes back to the locker room after beating the Pittsburgh Steelers in an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. [Jeff Lange/Beacon Journal]Browns Extras 10 /

Quarterback

Before I get started, let me be clear, Baker Mayfield only makes this list because the remaining roster is so strong. Mayfield has the ability to make all NFL throws, and he is in a system that suits him extremely well. I fully expect the Browns to have great success in 2021 under Mayfield, and the organization to sign him to a nice long-term extension.

However, the question must be asked. Could he be a limiting factor in the Browns winning a Super Bowl? I don’t think many would argue he is a top-five or even eight quarterback in the league, and it feels like those are the guys that usually get it done.

Mayfield to me is a tier two quarterback. Elite traits, but not quite the same consistency or ability as the tier ones. This doesn’t mean he is a bad quarterback but does mean our defense will have to be very good to help Mayfield out at times.

There are two things I would like to see Mayfield improve on in 2021. The biggest, how he handles the rush. At times he gets a little jumpy when there is any pressure and can force decisions and not let things develop. A great offensive line helped that so much in 2020 compared to 2019, and I think it will have even more improvement in 2021.

The second item of improvement I would like to see, short-throw accuracy and touch. At times Mayfield likes to sling bullets when a nice touch pass is all that is needed. He could also hit a few better spots that give the receivers a better opportunity after that catch.

Before I get torched, just to clarify, Mayfield is a more than capable quarterback, and I would put him in the top 10 quarterbacks in the league. This roster is just so talented, if an AFC Championship appearance doesn’t happen this year, there aren’t many places to point fingers.

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