4 Cleveland Browns whose stock increased even with a loss
By Greg Newland
Despite a loss that could end the Cleveland Browns playoff hopes in 2021, these four players have continued to shine on the field.
The Cleveland Browns once again lost another heartbreaker on Sunday Night Football vs. the Baltimore Ravens. The close losses to the Chiefs, Chargers, and Steelers all stung, but this one hurts the most.
First and foremost, Cleveland must now win out to even have a shot at a Wild Card spot. And after the continual bad play from the offense, I’m not sold the team will be able to hit the 8-win mark for 2021.
The other thing I just can’t shake from this loss is the defense playing so well. Not only were they able to hold the Ravens to 16 points, but they also forced four turnovers. The Browns offense turned four Lamar Jackson interceptions into 10 points. That is nowhere near a recipe for success in the NFL, no matter how you slice the pie.
Their running game was lackluster from eight and nine-man boxes all night, the offensive line struggles to stop the speed rush on the outside, and once again Baker Mayfield struggled with tight windows from lack of separation and tight coverage from the Ravens secondary.
There’s a lot to be down on as a Browns fan, but these four players have continued to get better and better, even while the team struggles.
Cleveland Browns Rising Stock No. 4 – Greg Newsome
The jury is still out on if Greg Newsome can remain healthy, but he has continued to be a great second corner opposite Denzel Ward.
The best quality I have seen from Newsom, open-field tackling. Multiple times in Sunday’s game he was in man-to-man coverage on a crossing route. The receiver was able to catch the ball, but Newsome made the tackle immediately forcing a fourth down play.
There’s no doubt he lacks elite speed for deep go routes, but overall, he has lived up to all expectations as a first-round pick.