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3 Cleveland Browns players who could emerge as alphas in 2021

By Sam Penix

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Drew Sample (89) is wrapped up by Cleveland Browns defensive back Ronnie Harrison (33) on a catch in the first quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns at Paul Brown Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020. The Bengals led 17-10 at halftime.Cleveland Browns At Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals tight end Drew Sample (89) is wrapped up by Cleveland Browns defensive back Ronnie Harrison (33) on a catch in the first quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns at Paul Brown Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020. The Bengals led 17-10 at halftime.Cleveland Browns At Cincinnati Bengals /
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Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) participates in individual drills during an NFL football practice at the team’s training facility, Wednesday, June 16, 2021, in Berea, Ohio.Browns 3 /

1. WR Odell Beckham Jr.

Odell Beckham is the definition of an alpha, but statistically, he’s not been himself since 2016. In his four ensuing seasons, he’s missed 28 of 66 games and was rarely healthy in the games he did play. A groin issue hampered him in 2019, but in his six games in 2017, he played great. The basic stats may not show it, but he created separation at will. He was constantly open downfield, and tore up one of the NFL’s premier secondaries against the Baltimore Ravens.

The problem is that Beckham’s healthy games in 2020 coincided with Baker Mayfield’s worst stretch of his career. It’s entirely fair to say he was bad for most of his first six outings, and that has nothing to do with Beckham as many like to assert.

It isn’t Beckham’s fault that Mayfield wasn’t comfortable in the offense, was a mechanical mess, and didn’t know where his eyes were supposed to be, whether off the snap or through his progressions.

When Mayfield did target Beckham, he didn’t do it well. This includes both throwing to Beckham when he wasn’t open, and not giving him a chance to catch the ball; less than 56% of his targets were catchable, which is a horrible rate.

It’s been less than 250 days since Beckham tore his ACL against the Cincinnati Bengals, and by all accounts, he is knocking his recovery out of the park. Mayfield ended 2020 on a torrid pace, and with the benefit of not having to learn a new offensive system during the offseason for the first time as a pro, he should hit the ground running in 2021.

Next. 5 Browns who could be cut before seeing the field in 2021. dark

That, combined with a fully integrated and fully healthy Beckham should give that pair a great chance to reach the heights that they can, which is one of the NFL’s most explosive QB-WR duos. Beckham’s list of doubters grows by the day. It’s time for him to prove he’s still a Hall of Fame talent.

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