As we head into the 2018 regular season, we can be sure that the Cleveland Browns are no longer short on talent. This is undoubtedly a stronger roster than the franchise has ever had in the Hue Jackson era. We can be fairly certain that the team will generally perform better than their predecessors.
Five Cleveland Browns Players Expected to Shine in 2018
Myles Garrett – Defensive End
The only problem with Myles Garrett? We haven’t seen enough of him yet. In his rookie season, injuries caused him to miss five entire games and sit out portions of others.
However, despite the defensive end position being difficult to master, Garrett was more than capable. In the 11 games he played, he recorded 31 total tackles and seven sacks. Had he played a full season, he would’ve been in double-digit range.
Let’s remember this: that in only 11 games, Garrett had clocked more sacks that J.J. Watt (5.5) and Khalil Mack (4) managed in their rookie seasons. And it’s only going to get bigger.
He should be. Big year coming for Myles Garrett. BIG year… https://t.co/9xQNSomQSP
— Jeff Risdon (@JeffRisdon) September 4, 2018
According to Randy Gurzi of Dawg Pound Daily, Garrett is poised for an even better second season. He gave us a glimpse of his capabilities when he dominated the Philadelphia Eagles offensive line in their preseason matchup.
David Njoku – Tight End
Put simply, David Njoku is a physical freak and every opposing defense’s worst nightmare. His height and leap enable him to reach a jump ball before any safety or corner. Added to that is his lighting speed, unusual for a person of his height, but most linebackers will probably struggle to keep up with him.
Njoku has a high ceiling and it was already obvious at the college level and his rookie season as he produced numbers characteristic of players more experienced than him.
He already displayed signs of his talent by catching two touchdowns in the Browns’ first preseason game.
Josh Gordon – Wide Receiver
It really shouldn’t be a concern that Josh Gordon won’t be starting the first game of the preseason. In 2017, he went 1,077 days without playing in an NFL game. But his very first game back, he was instrumental in the first play of the game and finished with 85 yards off four receptions.
Gordon is in better physical shape than ever, so conditioning isn’t an issue at all.
Most importantly, despite struggling with his personal demons, he is very much the same as he was in 2013 – he dominated and was an absolute monster on the field. As Gurzi said, “the Browns won’t keep him off the field long, even if he isn’t starting. Look for him to sub in early, and rarely leave the field.” He’ll be a terror for opponents, so it’s unlikely he’ll be on the bench for long. If anything, he’s showing signs that he’s fully prepared for the season.
Jarvis Landry – Wide Receiver
His one-handed receptions are a thing of beauty. No one else currently in the league compares in this area. He held back a little when Cleveland faced Philadelphia, but offensive coordinator Todd Haley pushed him into being a leader, and it’ll likely happen.
The three-time Pro Bowler wasn’t around for the last two miserable seasons, so he’s just going to do his thing. “I wasn’t part of that,” Landry said during training camp. “I didn’t have nothing to do with what happened here. I can’t take that on my back.”
Antonio Callaway – Wide Receiver
Antonio Callaway has had a shaky start to his professional career, with all sorts of legal trouble. He’s on a short leash with the Browns, but when he was forced to play an entire game during the preseason, he was full of stamina throughout and showed no sign of slowing down. That’s something that will be of huge value when he starts the season opener in place of Gordon.
This roster is a different one. This season is likely to be a different one. Expect a team that can contend with the very opponents who overcame them the last two years.
