3 Cleveland Browns who need fewer snaps down the stretch
By Randy Gurzi
1. Cleveland Browns WR Rashard Higgins
This one may already be happening, but the Browns need to make sure they stick with the plan they have been showing in recent games.
Rashard Higgins was a pleasant surprise in 2018 and also had a great campaign in 2020 when Odell Beckham tore his ACL, but he’s been a disappointment this year. Currently, he has 15 receptions on 31 targets with 185 yards and just one touchdown.
Even with the low numbers, he’s still second on the team in snaps among wide receivers — coming in behind only Donovan Peoples-Jones. He was a healthy scratch in their loss to the Ravens, which opened the door for Ja’Marcus Bradley to get more time.
We all remember Bradly from 2020 as the player who had to step in against the Jets with little warning. In that contest, he had 60 yards on five receptions, showing off his promise — as well as his speed.
He hasn’t been heard from much since then as Week 12 was the second game he appeared in but he already has 76 offensive snaps. He’s received just four targets in that span but has hauled in all of them for 64 yards. His 16.0 yards per reception average is exactly what this offense needs.
Next. 3 Browns grades at the bye. dark
And while Higgins has done a lot of good for this team, they need to make sure Bradley stays out there which means No. 82 shouldn’t be seeing the field as much as he has been.