5 Cleveland Browns players with the most at stake in 2021

2. EDGE Jadeveon Clowney

Cleveland’s Olivier Vernon replacement is Jadeveon Clowney, the first overall pick back in 2014. He is an elite talent, but has had an odd and somewhat disappointing career thus far, and there are quite a few misconceptions about him as a player.

First, the production. Clowney has 32 career sacks over 83 games, which isn’t great. He has, however, logged 75 tackles for loss in that span to go along with 86 QB hits. These numbers are pretty indicative of who he is as a player; Clowney plays with good technique, power, and effort, but he lacks the bend and ankle flexibility to consistently win off the edge. He does still generate pressure, especially on inside moves, but this limitation means he can create the pressure but struggles to finish the play.

Second, his injury history. It’s a near certainty that he’ll miss time at some point this season, as he has each of the last three years, and six of his seven pro campaigns. It was a torn meniscus that ended his 2020 season, though he was playing extremely well prior to getting hurt.

This is perhaps the most important year of Clowney’s career. He is now 38 years old, and he has yet to secure a long-term contract. This may be his last chance to do that, and he’s in a great position to as long as he can stay healthy. If that doesn’t happen, he might be living one-year deal to one-year deal until his body gives up.