Browns: Stock up, stock down after Week 10 loss to Dolphins
The Cleveland Browns did not do a good job preparing for the Dolphins coming off a bye week. Here are players who saw their stocks rise and fall in Week 10.
Week 10 will certainly be a game the Clevland Browns will want to flush immediately and move on to what can be fixed and if the season can somehow be salvaged. The Miami Dolphins manhandled the entire game, leading to a 39-17 victory.
This loss is even more frustrating after a blowout win over the Bengals in prime time in Week 8 followed by a bye week. That gave the Browns two weeks to prepare for one of the NFL’s best teams, and the effort simply was not there. With that said, there were players who saw their stock rise, while others weren’t so fortunate and saw their stock drop.
Here is the stock up, stock down after Week 10.
Stock Up: Donovan Peoples-Jones
For the sixth straight week, Donovan Peoples-Jones caught at least four passes and gained at least 50 yards. This is highly encouraging for the third-year wideout and for the Browns moving forward, especially with Deshaun Watson’s debut looming.
DPJ had a team and season-high in yardage when he caught five passes for 99 yards. On the season, he has caught 35 passes for 516 yards and will likely pass his career-high from last season in both categories (34 catches, 597 yards in 2022).
Stock Down: Browns entire defensive Line
Time and time again, the Cleveland Browns have shown they cannot stop the run. This is due to the negligence that the front office showed in the offseason when it failed to address the defensive tackle position, opting to rely on young guys with minimal experience.
On Sunday, Miami rushed for 195 yards, led by Jeff Wilson Jr., who had 119 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries. The Dolphins entered the game with more focus on the passing game, so of course, this would be the game they run wild. Go figure. The defense did not improve in the run game whatsoever.
Stock Up: Sione Takitaki
For as bad as the Browns run defense was, Sione Takitaki continued to maximize his minutes at the MIKE linebacker position. He yet again was flying all over the field and his numbers showed that. He finished the game with a team-high eight solo tackles and 10 overall. One of those tackles was for a loss, which only enhances the notion that he should be extended this offseason, if not before the end of this season.
Stock Down: Offensive Line
When you think of the strengths of the Browns, you instantly think of the offensive line, which is heralded as one of the best in the league. Well on Sunday, it was far from that. Cleveland rushed the ball 24 times for 112 yards, led by Nick Chubb, who finished with 11 carries for 63 yards, a touchdown, and a rare fumble.
The Miami defensive line just straight-up bullied the Cleveland offensive line, sacking Jacoby Brissett three times while hitting him 14 times. Christian Wilkins, Melvin Ingram, and Bradley Chubb just did whatever they wanted all afternoon. To make matters worse, Wyatt Teller was not able to stay in the game as his calf injury was acting up and he left in the first quarter. Yikes.
Stock Up: Jerome Ford
Jerome Ford was activated off the IR on Saturday after missing the last four games with an ankle injury. On Sunday, he returned to the lineup and handled the kick-return duties. He finished with three returns for 95 yards, including a 48-yard return on the opening kick. While this does not seem like much, the Browns are desperate for a return man and Ford provided a spark on Sunday.
