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3 Cleveland Browns players that have been letdowns in 2021

By John Suchan

Oct 11, 2020; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) and wide receiver Rashard Higgins (82) and quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) celebrate after Higgins caught a touchdown from Mayfield during the first half against the Indianapolis Colts at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 11, 2020; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) and wide receiver Rashard Higgins (82) and quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) celebrate after Higgins caught a touchdown from Mayfield during the first half against the Indianapolis Colts at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cleveland Browns tight end Austin Hooper (81) is unable to catch a pass in the end zone under pressure from Cincinnati Bengals free safety Ricardo Allen (37) in the second quarter of the NFL Week 9 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati on Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021. Cleveland led 24-10 at halftime.
Cleveland Browns tight end Austin Hooper (81) is unable to catch a pass in the end zone under pressure from Cincinnati Bengals free safety Ricardo Allen (37) in the second quarter of the NFL Week 9 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati on Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021. Cleveland led 24-10 at halftime. /

Cleveland Browns TE Austin Hooper

When Austin Hooper arrived in Cleveland in 2020 along with a new head coach in Kevin Stefanski, the Browns offense was starting to look like an all-star team of talent that the rookie head coach would be able to mold into something special.

It certainly felt that way most of the 2020 season as the Browns did very well, getting to the playoffs and making an impression on the league. This year, however, has come back to bite them in the behind because of the current season of muddied waters.

Hooper has nearly been non-existent in 2021. He has 317 yards on 36 catches. These numbers are well below his norms. Before arriving in Cleveland, he played as an Atlanta Falcon. There he was catching 70 to 75 passes and going for 650 yards or more in a season.

Now, his current 8.8 yards a catch is the lowest of his career.  Will things change much going into next season?

Hooper is a free agent in 2024 and Cleveland owes him $9.5 million next season. There is a potential that he can get out of his contract in 2023. There are two other very capable tight ends on the current Browns roster including David Njoku and Harrison Bryant. Njoku is a free agent at the end of the year, and I suspect he will be looking to leave and play somewhere else next season.

Next. 3 free agents Browns should prioritize in 2022. dark

This would leave Hooper here along with Bryant. If the Browns could again work out a trade for Hooper in the offseason I wouldn’t be totally shocked especially if the team were to draft another tight end. If he’s here next year, Hooper will need to step up and produce more than he has.

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