10. David Njoku:
Over the past CLEVELAND — two seasons, the Cleveland Browns have drafted 24 players and spent fistfuls of cash on free agents. Now it’s time for these players to win some games and prevent coach Hue Jackson from taking the Lake Erie plunge he vowed to take if the Browns go 1-15 again.
Granted, the Browns don’t know who their starting quarterback is yet, but they’ve added other key players. With that in mind, here’s a look at the 10 most important non-QB Browns for 2017 from least important to most:
Njoku looked like the prototypical tight end in minicamp, and promises to be one of the Browns’ biggest downfield weapons this season if he continues to progress like this. The Browns worked hard with him on maintaining his focus through the catch, and he’ll have to adjust to pro defenders trying to stop him. But at 6-4, 246, and looking like he was chiseled out of stone, Njoku can have a big rookie year.
9. Emmanuel Ogbah:
Ogbah, a defensive end, had a stellar rookie season and led the Browns with 5.5 sacks in 2016 despite no other productive pass-rushers around him. Now, with Myles Garrett on the opposite side, and other pass-rushers such as Desmond Bryant and Nate Orchard back from injuries, Ogbah is poised for a double-digit sack season.
8. Kenny Britt:
Britt replaces Terrelle Pryor at receiver and will be counted on to have his second career 1,000-yard season. He’s the only veteran member of the receiving corps and will need to help teach and mentor the younger players. With Corey Coleman limited in spring practices with his hamstring injury and minor shoulder injury, Britt will probably have to carry a little more of the load in training camp.
7. Shon Coleman or Cam Erving:
The battle for the starting right tackle job is on, and whoever wins it will have one of the toughest jobs on the team this season. Right tackle has become almost as important as left tackle, with defenses taking advantage of any weak links on the line. Erving says he feels more comfortable back at his natural position of tackle instead of center, and is determined to win the job. Coleman, the Browns’ third-round pick last year out of Auburn, showed some promise in limited play last season.
6. Jabrill Peppers:
Peppers, the No. 25 overall pick out of Michigan, will start at strong safety. Peppers worked mostly with the third team in spring practices and will have to earn the starting job. But the Browns drafted him in the first round to start and make an impact right away. As a hybrid linebacker/ safety last year at Michigan, he finished with a team-high 72 tackles, including a teamhigh 16 for a loss, and four sacks. In addition to safety, he’ll return kicks and possibly play some offense.
Johnson carried the ball 73 times last season, but should do so more this year with Jackson’s renewed commitment to the running game. The running back averaged an impressive 4.9 yards per carry, which argues for more
5. Duke Johnson: