Cleveland Browns: 4 players who need to have more production
By Greg Newland
![Cleveland Browns tight end Austin Hooper runs for yardage after a first quarter catch against the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021 in Cleveland, at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won the game 17-14. [Phil Masturzo/ Beacon Journal]Browns7](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2Fhttps-3A-2F-2Fdawgpounddaily-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fimagn-images-2F2018-2F08-2F17000957-850x560-b4b0354978e3ef2871598237607694e210a3f626723957942dba453c6d5f1cc4.jpg "Cleveland Browns tight end Austin Hooper runs for yardage after a first quarter catch against the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021 in Cleveland, at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won the game 17-14. [Phil Masturzo/ Beacon Journal]Browns7")
No. 2 – Odell Beckham Jr., WR
Full disclosure, I’m not saying Odell Beckham is no longer a good receiver or won’t be good for another team, I’m simply saying he has not lived up to the expectations of his $15 million per year salary in Cleveland.
Beckham has continued to struggle with injuries as I’m not sure he’s been 100 percent healthy in any game with the Browns. His first year he had an abdominal issue he played through, then he had the ACL tear, and this season just when the knee looked good, he messes up his shoulder.
Bottom line, 16 catches on 33 targets for 226 yards and no touchdowns is not what the Browns had in store for Beckham. The catch percentage is far too low, and he hasn’t looked in sync with Baker Mayfield or Case Keenum (only one game) in three seasons.
The Browns can cut ties with Beckham at the end of the year with no dead money, but they surely would like to try and trade him for something. Beckham would also be in favor to have his last year of the $15 million be paid, but I’m not sure any team will see him at that type of value.
Right now, his trade value is a late-round, so I see the Browns continuing down this journey for 2021 but expect them to release OBJ before the start of next season. At that point, the Browns can focus on drafting another receiver to group with Jarvis Landry and Donovan Peoples-Jones.