5 players the Cleveland Browns will miss the most in 2021

Five former Cleveland Browns players who will be missed in 2021

After another great offseason, the Cleveland Browns are legitimate Super Bowl contenders, at least on paper.

Upgrades were made all over the roster, with new quality players brought in, both veterans and rookies.

However, the team also lost some key guys, and their absence will be felt. Here are five players who will be missed this season.

5. ST Tavierre Thomas

Tavierre Thomas was forced into action on defense in six games last season, and struggled mightily. However, he wasn’t kept on the roster for three years because of his ability as a slot cornerback. The CB room lacks depth at the moment, but losing Thomas has no bearing on that.

Thomas is an elite special teamer, one of the NFL’s very best. It doesn’t matter which side of the punt or kick he’s on; Thomas makes a big impact, and it’s why the Houston Texans gave him a two-year $4 million contract.

It’s understandable that Cleveland would prefer not to pay a designated special teams player, instead opting for guys who can contribute on offense or defense as well. But good special teamers don’t exactly grow on trees, and the Browns 2020 unit had already taken a step back from their 2019 performance.

Training camp will be very important for the team to locate guys who can help fill the void left by Thomas. That will not be an easy task, and hopefully, the unit as a whole will not cost Cleveland any games.