6 Browns with rising stock following win over Bengals

Stocks are on the rise for several Cleveland Browns players after they got a big win against their rival Cincinnati Bengals

It was a much-needed win for the Cleveland Browns on Monday night as they beat the Cincinnati Bengals 32-13. It has given the team some hope that the season is not a loss yet. The Browns now get a bye week and then they return to action to play their next two away games against the Miami Dolphins and the Buffalo Bills.

The weeks ahead will not be easy for Cleveland as they try and get back into playoff contention, however, after Monday’s big win they may have gathered some momentum for the rest of the season. There were several players, especially on the defensive side of the ball that played well in this last game and their stock has certainly started to rise, and maybe just in time.

The only player from the big win that some might be tempted to suggest has his stock falling right now is offensive lineman Jedrick Wills. The former Alabama standout continues to struggle at times or looks like he quits on his plays too soon. In the game against Cincinnati, he had another holding penalty called against him and he also allowed a couple of plays to get blown up by his poor blocking on run attempts. To date, he’s had six penalties called on him which is the fifth most by an NFL offensive lineman and he’s given up four sacks. His overall PFF (Pro Football Focus) grade is only 65.8.

Wills is in his third season with the team, and it was hoped that he’d be more consistent with his play by now and that still doesn’t seem to be the case. Despite having a player like Wills still struggling let’s shift our focus onto several players that have their stock rising.

6 Browns with rising stock

6. A.J. Green, CB

A.J. Green made an immediate impact in the Monday night win as he was able to intercept a Joe Burrow pass to set the tone early. The Bengals were moving the ball well on their initial drive until Burrow had his pass tipped by defensive end Myles Garrett which Green was able to grab.

He made a bolt for the endzone but was ruled down by contact after the pick. Nonetheless, it halted a drive by Cincinnati and gave Cleveland some opening-game momentum.

In the absence of veteran cornerback Denzel Ward, who’s been out with a concussion over the last few weeks, it was nice to see a young player like Green, who hadn’t had a lot of playing time this season get his opportunity and make the most of it.

5. Martin Emerson, CB

The rookie out of Mississippi State has been steadily making an impact for the Cleveland defense. Martin Emerson, Jr. again stepped up in the win against the Bengals with several big plays. He’s one of the team’s best tacklers and that showed up again as he got a few big hits early. He also broke up a couple of passes while in coverage.

He finished with a season-high nine tackles and seemed to be everywhere during the game. The way that Emerson has started the year out for the Browns has been solid. He now has recorded a tackle in every game and has 32 on the season, but it’s been his coverage on passing plays that continue to improve.

He’s been burned a time or two and rival quarterbacks have continued to throw his way, but he’s done a nice job of playing through some of his early mistakes. He’s a high-energy kid with a knack for being around the action on the field. That should continue even more in this second half of the season as his confidence continues to grow.

4. Isaiah Thomas, DE

This late-round draft pick from Oklahoma has certainly been playing well recently and he made a great play in this game as he sacked Joe Burrow.

Isaiah Thomas recorded three tackles in this battle and had four tackles a week ago against the Baltimore Ravens. Cleveland has been looking to find other defensive linemen to step up and Thomas seems like a guy that has a knack to get to the quarterback and help create chaos in opposing teams’ backfields.

The stories from Oklahoma were that Thomas had excellent talent but hadn’t been able to be consistent with his efforts. To this point in Cleveland, it certainly feels like he’s a guy that’s learning how to play the position quickly in the NFL and that will mean good things for the Browns’ defense moving forward.

3. Sione TakiTaki, LB

Sione Takitaki is in his fourth season in Cleveland, and he’s stepped up his game. In the win against the Bengals, he recorded a sack and strip fumble of Joe Burrow that gave the team some real energy. He also had a career-best 13 tackles on the evening. He’s been improving each week and has really helped shape the improving defensive identity of the team. Takitaki’s a hard-nosed linebacker who plays through the whistle.

The Browns’ linebacking crew has taken a few hits in the injury department as this season has unfolded with the loss of captain Anthony Walker for the season. They’ve also had Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah sidelined as he nurses an injury so the emergence of Takitaki is a welcome sight.

2. Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR

Donovan Peoples-Jones has had his best season to date. He’s in his third season with the Browns and the hope that he’d become that legitimate No. 2 wide receiver behind veteran Amari Cooper is starting to take shape. He already has 30 receptions for 417 yards at the bye. His career high had been 34 catches for 597 yards, so he’s already about to run by those numbers in the next few games.

It’s also been about his consistency moving forward and that has started to happen. He’s had more than 71 yards receiving in four games this season and has done that in the last three straight. He’s made some very difficult receptions over his career and that continues to happen. You also don’t see him drop passes that are intended for him. He’s been targeted 46 times so far and caught 30 of them.

DPJ is a busy player too as he’s also been tasked with fielding punt returns this season, so the multitasker has done a good job of making the most of his chances.

1. Ethan Pocic, C

The former Seattle Seahawk came to the Browns this offseason in free agency and has had a great year so far. Cleveland’s offensive line has had a reputation for being one of the best in the league and Pocic has come in and fit right in.

Currently, he’s ranked first in the NFL in offensive snaps with 560. He’s only allowed one sack and has had no penalties called against him. In the win against the Bengals, it was more of the same outstanding play. He finished with a 94 overall grade from PFF.

Pocic is only on a one-year deal with the Browns and it might be a very good move to lock him up on a new deal as the season moves forward. Finding talented linemen that can give you the kind of production we’re seeing from Pocic is hard to find.

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