As we approach the 2021 season, let’s take a look at the faces of the 2021 Cleveland Browns. The Browns made the playoffs last season, eliminating the Pittsburgh Steelers in a decisive post-season win. The Browns have long since been in the cellar of the NFL and the AFC North. After suffering from several brutal seasons, the Browns are one of the up-and-coming teams and look to continue that success in 2021.
2021 Cleveland Browns: Faces of the Team
Baker Mayfield
The obvious leader on the field and in the locker room is the quarterback Baker Mayfield. After drafting Mayfield first overall in 2018, the Browns made the playoffs this last season. Mayfield was snubbed for Rookie of the Year in 2018. Saquon Barkley won the award while Mayfield passed for 27 touchdowns and 3,725 yards in 14 games. The Browns narrowly missed the playoffs in 2018 after Baker finished 6-7 as a starter. The Browns and Mayfield struggled mightily in 2019 as the Dog Pound natives finished 6-10. Mayfield passed for 22 touchdowns, 3,827 yards, with 21 interceptions. Mayfield’s completion percentage dropped from 63.8% to 59.4% in 2019.
Only rookie QBs w/ 10+ PASS TDs on throws 20+ yards since '06:
🔹Justin Herbert (2020) – 12
🔹Baker Mayfield (2018) – 11 pic.twitter.com/y4MTx2XqCN— PFF (@PFF) May 14, 2021
Mayfield and the Browns would right the ship in 2020 finishing 11-5 and defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers in the playoffs to advance to the Divisional Round against the Kansas City Chiefs. Mayfield started all 16 games and passed for 3,563 yards, 26 touchdowns, and improving his completion percentage to 62.8%. The former first overall pick struggled early, but turned his season around and became one of the most efficient passers in the NFL.
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Mayfield led the Browns to their first playoff victory since 1994. Browns fans should be excited for the future with their young signal-caller having exercised the quarterback’s fifth-year option. The Browns will attempt to extend Mayfield to solidify the future of the franchise in 2021.
Myles Garrett
Myles Garrett is the premier defensive end and pass-rusher for the Cleveland Browns. The former Texas A&M Aggie has carved out a role for himself as an elite pass rusher and a disruptive force on the edge for an improved Browns defense.
The Browns drafted Garrett first overall in 2017 who made his debut on September 7th against the New York Jets. Garrett sacked starting quarterback Josh McCown on his first NFL play in a 17-14 loss. Garrett was plagued by injury in 2017 starting in only nine out of 11 games.
In 2018 Garrett was much better starting all 16 games and recording 13.5 sacks with 44 tackles. Although the Browns struggled in 2018, Garrett was starting to show he could be a dominant force in the NFL. 2019 was another down year for the All-Pro defensive end playing only 10 games with 10 sacks and 29 tackles.
Garrett started & played in 14 games in 2020 with four forced fumbles and 12 sacks. Garrett logged 48 tackles and helped lead the Browns to the playoffs alongside Mayfield and company. The elite rusher will look to continue his disruptive play in 2021. The pass rush is a vital part of Cleveland’s key to winning games.
Reminder: Myles Garrett is really, really good…
(h/t @CBSSports on IG) pic.twitter.com/laD5pehSBE
— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) May 15, 2021
Jarvis Landry
Jarvis Landry is the third face of the Cleveland Browns entering the 2021 season. After spending his first four seasons in Miami, The Browns traded for Landry. While in Cleveland, Landry recorded seasons with 976, 1,174, and 840 yards with 13 total touchdowns.
Landry is one of the emotional and vocal leaders of the Browns. He is not the typical alpha wide receiver that his teammate Odell Beckham Jr is. However, Landry is a tough and reliable pass catcher who effectively moves the chains and consistently makes big catches.
The AFC North is one of the toughest and most physical divisions in the NFL. Landry is a solid centerpiece in the wide receiver room to calm the storm for the Browns and make big catches in pivotal moments when Mayfield and company need a conversion.
Only 4 players have tallied 800+ receiving yards in each of the past 6 seasons:
• Mike Evans
• DeAndre Hopkins
• Travis Kelce
• Jarvis Landry pic.twitter.com/dsybRTWLsH— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) June 9, 2021
The Browns Game Plan
The Browns will rely heavily on these three faces of the franchise. Mayfield is the obvious leader of the team. The Browns will go as he does. Mayfield and Landry are key in taking pressure off the run game so Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt can expose the secondary on play-action passes. The defense and Garrett are equally as important. There have been times the Browns have struggled to score points. When Garrett is pancaking offensive linemen and opposing quarterback, Mayfield and the offense are able to more easily move the football without the pressure to score. Mayfield, Landry, and Garrett will lead the Browns to another potential playoff bid in 2021.
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