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5 Cleveland Browns players who may have already peaked

By Greg Newland

PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 18: Odell Beckham Jr. #13 talks with Jarvis Landry #80 of the Cleveland Browns during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on October 18, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 18: Odell Beckham Jr. #13 talks with Jarvis Landry #80 of the Cleveland Browns during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on October 18, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /
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Cleveland Browns
Jan 17, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Cleveland Browns guard Joel Bitonio (75) looks to block as quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) takes the snap against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half in an AFC Divisional Round playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 3: Joel Bitonio, Guard

Perhaps the second biggest iron man for the Browns since 1999 (behind Joe Thomas) is left guard, Joel Bitonio. Drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 2014, Bitonio has only missed 17 games in 7 seasons. In the last four years, he has only missed one game that was because of COVID-19.

Before you jump all over me, like Tretter, I’m not saying Bitonio is just no longer good. I’m simply saying that at age 30, and seven seasons of playing a ton of snaps in the trenches of an offensive line, his body has been through a ton.

Bitonio may still be able to perform at an extremely high level, but he is likely past his prime that occurred over the last three seasons.

Bitonio is currently under contract through the 2022 season, which will end up being a huge offseason. The Browns will have had to make decisions on Baker Mayfield and Denzel Ward, as well as Tretter and Bitonio.

I don’t see a scenario where the Browns are able to keep all four of these guys, and it will an extremely difficult decision to figure out who will be the odd man out.

It will be an extremely sad day to see either Bitonio or Tretter not in Brown in orange, but Berry has already begun drafting young offensive line talent to build for the future. If the price isn’t right, and a declining player, Bitonio won’t have much leverage to remain in Cleveland.

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