It’s that time of year again. Here are three burning questions for the Cleveland Browns.
Is Beckham still among the handful of elite receivers?
Odell Beckham Jr.’s first season in Cleveland didn’t go according to plan. Joining forces with his former LSU teammate, Jarvis Landry, they were supposed to be an unstoppable one-two punch. Landry had a great season, posting 83 catches for just under 1,200 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Meanwhile, Beckham had just over 1,000 yards receiving and four touchdowns.
While 1,000 yards receiving isn’t anything to squawk at and many teams and players would be ecstatic with that production, Beckham wasn’t the same explosive receiver he was in New York. As the season wore down, his emotions began to get the better of him on the sideline quite often.
Year 2 in Cleveland will be telling for a receiver who has been considered one of the top five or six in the league in determining if he still belongs in that conversation.
Will Myles Garrett keep his anger under wraps?
Every team wants their defense to be angry and aggressive in getting to the quarterback and stopping the run. Helmet-wielding aggression is beyond the line. Garrett’s actions cost him the rest of the season just when the defense was beginning to hit on all cylinders.
Garrett has been reinstated by commissioner Roger Goodell, but he will likely be treading on a fine line all season. That makes their pair of matchups against the Steelers among the must-watch games on the entire NFL schedule.
What can we expect from third-year Mayfield?
The Browns’ signal-caller was expected to lead his team to the playoffs last season. Many even had him in the MVP conversation before the season began. However, Mayfield struggled to remain consistent week to week. Beckham was penciled in as the missing link to lead this team behind their quarterback, but that backfired.
Free agent and former Titans right tackle Jack Conklin will solidify the offensive line for Mayfield and running backs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. Former Falcons tight end Austin Hooper will also add another formidable target for Mayfield to have a great season.
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