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Browns had a surprise top-rated player in Week 16

By Randy Gurzi

Dec 24, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Taysom Hill (7) runs with the ball against Cleveland Browns linebacker Reggie Ragland (19) during the first half at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Taysom Hill (7) runs with the ball against Cleveland Browns linebacker Reggie Ragland (19) during the first half at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Cleveland Browns fell to New Orleans in Week 16 but had a promising performance from one surprising defender who was their top-rated player

There wasn’t much positive to take from the Cleveland Browns Week 16 loss to the New Orleans Saints.

During one of the coldest games in the last half-century, the Browns saw a 10-0 lead evaporate and they wound up losing 17-10. They needed a miracle to make the playoffs even with a win but the loss ended any of those hopes.

Having said all of that, they did have one defender step up as the unexpected top-rated player of the game.

According to Pro Football Focus, newly-signed linebacker Reggie Ragland finished the days far ahead of any other player with a 91.7 grade.

In just his second game with the Browns, the veteran linebacker had 10 tackles — seven of which were of the solo variety.

Browns linebackers can’t catch a break

Ragland was taken from the Las Vegas Raiders practice squad on Dec. 7 as Cleveland continued to get decimated by injury at the position. Sione Takitaki tore his ACL and joined Anthony Walker, Jacob Phillips, and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah on the injured reserve.

With so many injuries at one position, the Browns have had to go deep just to get through the season. The positive takeaway from their latest game is that they may have found someone who can hold down the fort during the final two weeks.

Originally a second-round pick of the Buffalo Bills back in 2016, Ragland was a standout at Alabama but never found success at the NFL level. He ended up never playing for the Bills and spent three seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs before becoming a journeyman the past three years.

Ragland has suited up for the Detroit Lions and New York Giants before making his debut with Cleveland in Week 15.

In his career, he has 289 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and an interception in 77 games with 48 starts. Cleveland might be willing to give him a shot at making the roster again in 2023, especially if he finishes the final two games with a similar effort.

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