In 2020, Kevin Stefanski’s Cleveland Browns turned heads around the NFL. The team is no longer lingering in the AFC’s basement. On the contrary, many think they have a legitimate shot at an AFC title in 2021. The talent is there up and down the roster, and a much-improved defense could help lead the way this season.
However, few units around the league will be as heavily monitored and scrutinized as the Browns offense. After all, quarterback Baker Mayfield and company will have high expectations to meet. As the team gets better, the stakes get higher, leaving the Browns needing to prove they can hang with the big boys of the NFL. It is time to predict the season stat lines for some of Cleveland’s biggest names on offense.
2021 Cleveland Browns Offensive Stat Predictions
Baker Mayfield: 305/465 (66%), 3950 yards, 32 TDs, 10 INTs
Mayfield stands as one of the NFL’s deadliest depression ball passers. He didn’t get to flash it much in 2020, as the team’s receivers were among the slowest groups in the league. This year, having a healthy and explosive Odell Beckham Jr. back in the fold will make a dramatic difference.
At the same time, second-year wideout Donovan Peoples-Jones flashed his upside during his rookie year. He is joined by third-round pick Anthony Schwartz, who ran a 4.25 40-yard dash in the pre-draft process.
These targets make for a more explosive unit that will pay dividends for Mayfield. Look for him to set career marks across the board in what is essentially a contract year for him.
Nick Chubb: 305 carries, 1438 yards (4.7 YPC), 10 TDs, 28 catches, 196 yards, 2 TDs
Assuming Nick Chubb can stay healthy, he’s a safe bet to finish as a top-three rusher in the league. He is the catalyst of Cleveland’s offense and shoulders a large burden, though his running mate, Kareem Hunt, relieves a lot of pressure. He’s as good of a back as there is in the NFL, a should continue to put up monster numbers as their primary rusher.
Kareem Hunt: 140 carries, 644 yards (4.6 YPC), 6 TDs, 34 catches, 345 yards, 4 TDs
Meanwhile, there is no doubt in anyone’s mind that Kareem Hunt is the perfect complement to Chubb. He is brilliant between the tackles, finishes with power, and has a nose for finding the end zone. No, he will not get as many touches as Chubb, but he is guaranteed to have a large role in the offense. He’s an excellent receiver out of the backfield, and will certainly see three to five targets per game.
Odell Beckham Jr.: 82 catches, 1145 yards, 12 TDs
To date, Odell Beckham Jr’s time with the Browns has not been what some thought it would be. He missed half of 2020 with a knee injury and when he has played, he has yet to find a rhythm with Mayfield.
Then again, in 2021, they will field a stable offense in year two of the Stefanski era. Beckham has too much talent to continue to underwhelm as long as he’s healthy. Look for Mayfield and Beckham to connect early and often in games to make huge strides as a duo.
Jarvis Landry: 75 catches, 960 yards, 6 TDs
Throughout his Browns tenure, Jarvis Landry has been an amazing security blanket for Mayfield. His brilliance on underneath routes shines every week. While he may not be the most explosive wideout, he plays a vital role in Cleveland’s offense. On broken plays, Mayfield turns to Landry, who somehow always frees himself. Landry is a smart player and a team leader. He may not put up jaw-dropping stats, but he is crucial to the success of the Browns offense in 2021.
Main Photo: Embed from Getty Images
