3 Cleveland Browns who need fewer snaps down the stretch
By Randy Gurzi
The Cleveland Browns season isn’t over but they do need to make some changes down the stretch, including shifting how snaps are being shared
No, the season isn’t over for the Cleveland Browns — even if it feels like it is. With five games remaining, they can still make a run and turn things around, but they can’t afford any mistakes.
Having said that, they do need to make a few changes that could improve them now — as well as in the future. That includes shifting their snap distributions.
Here we look at three members of the team that should see the field less down the stretch and why that is.
3. Cleveland Browns DT Malik Jackson
When the Browns let Larry Ogunjobi leave in free agency and released Sheldon Richardson, it meant they were putting a lot on Malik Jackson’s plate. The 10-year veteran has been a starter in all 12 games and is second among defensive tackles in snaps at 502 — just behind Malik McDowell who has 521.
Jackson hasn’t been bad, but he also hasn’t made much of an impact. He has just 23 tackles and 0.5 sacks. Sure, defensive coordinator Joe Woods trusts him to do his job but it would be better for the defense to bring in a younger player such as Jordan Elliott and Tommy Togiai who have fresher legs.
It would not only give them a spark in 2021 but will help down the road since these snaps would be valuable for the development of these young players.