The good news is, the Cleveland Browns have revamped their roster over the offseason.
A majority of their moves were upgrades on the defensive side, but the offensive unit wasn’t completely ignored.
Heading into the 2021 season, the Browns arguably have a top three roster in the entire NFL.
That’s great, but it also worth noting that some players are bound to regress due to age or lack of playing time.
Cleveland has a stacked roster and can only use so many players at one time.
Sadly, everyone cannot play, so there are going to be a few players that likely regress next season.
1. Rashard Higgins
The 2020 breakout campaign by Rashard Higgins was beautiful to watch.
A player who bet on himself and stayed loyal to his team ended up paying off in a big way.
Prior to the 2020 season, Higgins had better offers elsewhere, but wanted to win in Cleveland.
He took less money to stay with the Browns and that’s something you don’t see often anymore.
Am told WR Rashard Higgins’ new one-year deal to resign with the Browns is worth $910K. Higgins really wanted to return to Cleveland, turned down more money from elsewhere. He will compete for the No. 3 WR spot.
— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) April 28, 2020
Browns fans are glad he stayed because the 2020 season was a huge success for Higgins.
He recorded 37 receptions, 599 receiving yards, and four touchdowns in 13 games (six starts) with the Browns last season.
However, that increase in playing time was largely due to the fact Odell Beckham Jr. went down with a torn ACL mid-season.
That meant, Higgins moved into the No. 2 role and saw an increased role in the offensive gameplan.
A year later, OBJ is set to return to his normal role and looks healthy during workouts.
ICYMI, #Browns Notes: Jarvis Landry says Odell Beckham Jr. already doing things that will “blow your mind” in comeback from torn ACL; Landry on Austin workouts; Jedrick Wills Jr. on attending OTAs; more.
— Scott Petrak ct (@ScottPetrak) June 13, 2021
That’s not all, the Browns also selected Auburn wide receiver Anthony Schwartz in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
He is mainly known for his unbelievable speed, but will certainly have a role in the passing attack.
That being said, Higgins could have trouble replicating his 2020 performance.
It’s unlikely that Higgins becomes non-existent, but another 50-plus target season appears unlikely right now.
2. Wyatt Teller
Last season, fans saw an incredible breakout year by right guard Wyatt Teller.
The 26-year-old seemingly came out of nowhere and put together arguably a Pro Bowl campaign.
Teller worked hard in the offseason to improve his body and his game and it showed on the field last season.
Wyatt Teller: 94.1 PFF Grade (1st)
The #Browns guard is looking like a ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/jqM0DtQZQ5
— PFF (@PFF) October 9, 2020
In 2020, Teller ranked first or near the top in multiple categories throughout the season.
It’s incredible that he was able to go from being a borderline starting guard to one of the best in the league.
The Browns do have one of the best offensive lines in the league, which is also helpful.
However, the team was not able to produce the same whenever Teller wasn’t on the field.
Browns PFF run-blocking grade:
🔸 Games w/ Wyatt Teller – 86.1 (1st)
🔸 Games w/o Teller – 56.1 (29th) pic.twitter.com/nHqtByL73I— PFF (@PFF) December 19, 2020
Hopefully, Teller has turned a corner and will continue playing like he did last season.
Sadly, fans have to be realistic and assume there will be somewhat of a regression.
Organizations have more video on Teller, which will help them gameplan against him.
The fact he came out of nowhere and succeeded helped because teams didn’t know his weaknesses and how to slow him down.
Teller should continue playing well in 2021, but fans shouldn’t expect him to be the No. 1 ranked guard again.
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