4 Cleveland Browns that have to improve in 2023
By Randy Gurzi
2. Cade York, Kicker
There were mixed emotions when the Browns used a fourth-round pick on LSU kicker Cade York this season. On one hand, Cleveland hasn’t had a long-term kicker for years and York came in with a huge leg and an impressive resume. On the other, drafting kickers hasn’t worked out very often — including when they added Austin Seibert in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
York spent the offseason impressing those who weren’t sold on the pick and giving more evidence to those who loved it. Then in Week 1, he made believers of the entire fan base when he drilled a 58-yard kick with ease as he gave them the win over Baker Mayfield and the Carolina Panthers.
Cade York from WAYYYYY DOWNTOWN to give the Browns the lead! 😱 pic.twitter.com/UoI4b2FKl9
— PFF CLE Browns (@PFF_Browns) September 11, 2022
York was hailed a hero but that excitement was short-lived. He missed a crucial extra point in a 31-30 loss to the New York Jets in Week 2 and saw another extra point go wide in Week 3. He then whiffed on two field goals in a 30-28 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 5.
The roller coaster continued throughout the season as he hit on just 75 percent of his field goals, although he didn’t miss another extra point following Week 3.
Heading into 2023, the Browns are going to need to see more consistency from York. He’s clearly good enough and can hit from deep but the wind at FirstEnergy Stadium was an issue for him. If he’s going to be the answer long-term, he needs to get that figured out.