The Cleveland Browns suffered a fourth consecutive loss on Sunday, but there were some players whose stock rose, while others weren’t so fortunate.
For the second time in the Kevin Stefanski era, the Cleveland Browns have dropped four straight games. This week was a crucial blow to the season that was already teetering towards life support. A divisional loss to the Ravens did this team absolutely no favors, yet there is still a tiny sliver of hope.
This was arguably the most complete game the Browns have played this season, as the offense was grooving at times and the defense did much better than in recent weeks. Special teams remained a glaring issue, so maybe there will be changes made after the Halloween showdown with the Bengals leading into the bye week.
Browns stock report following Week 7
Stock Up: Jacoby Brissett
Despite not throwing a touchdown and losing a fumble, this was one of Jacoby Brissett’s better games of the 2022 campaign. He finished going 22-of-27 for 258 yards, no touchdowns, but more importantly, no interceptions.
He was quick and decisive with his throws and was putting the ball only where his guys could get them, including this dime to Amari Cooper.
Him playing so well, allowed the running game to open up in the fourth quarter to give the Browns a chance at the end. For all of you who are of the “RUN THE BALL” mindset, there is a reason that they could not just hand the ball to Chubb 20-plus times in this game. Brissett played a good game overall, making most of his throws and even making plays with his feet.
He even threw for a potential game-winning touchdown to Cooper that was called back on a questionable offensive pass interference call.
Stock Down: Kareem Hunt
It has not been a kind year to Kareem Hunt and his days as a member of the Browns could very well be numbered. On Sunday, he finished the game with five carries for four yards and one reception — although he did have one touchdown.
With the trade deadline nearing, Cleveland has put Hunt on the trade block and is willing to listen to offers. Now, the team likely won’t get much in return for Hunt, as he is 27-year old with an expiring contract, so he would be a rental for the remainder of the season.
This could be smoke and mirrors by Andrew Berry, but the writing is on the wall for Hunt to not be a member of this roster for much longer. If the Browns can pull out a victory next Monday night, and Hunt plays well, then maybe he remains with the team, but that isn’t looking likely.
Stock Up: David Njoku
This is a tough one to write. David Njoku was cruising along on National Tight Ends Day, to the tune of seven catches for 71 yards. Unfortunately, his day would end with an ankle sprain, that on Monday was confirmed to be a high ankle sprain that will sideline him for 2-5 weeks.
This is a huge blow to this offense as Njoku was warranting the Browns decision to pay him in the offseason. He is pretty much wide receiver two on the field as he is tied for the team lead in receptions with 34.
For the sake of the team, Njoku could potentially miss just next Monday’s collision with the Bengals, but everybody is just hoping he can come back healthy.
Stock Down: Jedrick Wills Jr.
Sunday was certainly not a day to remember for Jedrick Wills Jr. Throughout the game, he just looked out of it, or that something just a bit off about his play.
He graded at 32.9 per Pro Football Focus, which is, well, not good. He was called for a holding penalty that was very curious, to say the least. Nothing on the replay showed that he had committed a penalty, and that brought back a first down and changed the entire complexion of the drive.
Bad games are bound to happen and this is one Wills can flush and move on from. Outside of Sunday, he has proved that he belongs on this roster, and that fifth-year option should no doubt be picked up.
Stock Down: John Johnson III
The signing of John Johnson III was met with high praise from most of the Cleveland fanbase when it happened in the 2021 offseason. The Browns gave Johnson $33 million over three years, and his time could also be up.
Like Hunt, Johnson could very well be dealt with before the November 1 trade deadline. In both cases, it will depend on what the Browns can get back in return and how much money will need to be eaten. Should Johnson not be dealt before the deadline, the Browns can just release him in the offseason and save roughly $3 million in cap space.
Last week, Johnson called out the lack of commitment from his teammates, and on Sunday, it looked like he was giving zero effort. He was either doing this because he truly does not understand his defensive assignments or he is simply avoiding contact. Either way, it is time for the John Johnson experiment to be over.
There was locker room turmoil littered throughout the 2021 season and it appeared as if the Browns had cleaned that up by getting rid of Odell Beckham Jr. midseason and Baker Mayfield after the season.
Now, there was a shouting match that occurred after Sunday’s loss, and while we don’t know who was directly involved, it is clear that not everyone gels together on the defensive side of the football.
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