3 Browns Whose Stock Is Plummeting At The Bye Week

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) calls a play during the game against the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals on December 29, 2019, at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, OH. — (Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire)

At 5-3, the Cleveland Browns have hit the bye week.

It arrives in somewhat disappointing fashion, as Sunday’s game against the Raiders feels like it should have been a brown and orange winner.

Still, the Browns haven’t entered the bye week above .500 since 2001, so they’ll take where they’re at for now.

The poor play on Sunday stems from a number of guys not performing at a high enough level.

The losses Baltimore and Pittsburgh were bad from the head coach to the equipment manager.

Losing to Las Vegas, however, did not fall on everyone.

A number of guys’ stock on the roster have taken a big hit heading into the bye.

1. Mack Wilson

I detailed Mack Wilson’s game against the Raiders in my “Studs and Duds” article.

It was reflective of his play when he’s been on the field all season.

Wilson was behind the play consistently and let Darren Waller run circles around him on passing downs.

He has been dealing with knee issues since a hyper-extended left knee back in August.

This forced him to sit out the first three weeks of the season, but it has not been good since.

His PFF rating comes in at a very pedestrian (and that’s being generous) 29.1.

Each week brings another tweet, or set of tweets, with an inspirational message hinting at better days ahead.

We’ll see if the extra week off does anything, because so far it seems like those better days aren’t coming.

They say I’m awful 🥴

I’m not even 100% yet.. 😏 Just relax you’ll see soon! 🙏🏾

— MWS (@MackWilSr) October 28, 2020

Take our L’s and learn from them. Got a chance for us to get healthy as a team during the bye week and come back ready to attack, and finish the 2nd half of the season off strong. Save your negative comments. 💯 #BlockOutTheNoise

— MWS (@MackWilSr) November 2, 2020

2. David Njoku

Oh how quickly the narrative can change for David Njoku.

Following a beautiful touchdown reception in the win over Cincinnati, Njoku dropped a crucial would-have-been first down on a 3^rd and 8.

You can’t say that play alone cost them the game, but it doesn’t have many fans eager to keep him around with the trade deadline coming up and other tight end options on the roster.

He’s at the center of a number of different trade rumors as well.

Really hope the Browns trade David Njoku tomorrow or Tuesday.

— Christian Williams (@CWilliamsCFB) November 1, 2020

Adam Schefter has reiterated that #Browns TE David Njoku could likely be on the move before Tuesday’s deadline pic.twitter.com/N53Jm2W7XX

— MoreForYouCleveland (@MoreForYou_CLE) November 1, 2020

From @GMFB: With the trade deadline looming, players to watch include #Texans WR Will Fuller, #Browns TE David Njoku and Washington Football Team QB Dwayne Haskins. pic.twitter.com/J04rW5tQ0i

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 2, 2020

I don’t think he is a bad player at all, but it is clear he has not met the Browns’ expectations.

Njoku’s PFF rating, while not bad, sits at just 67.9.

Again, with other options on the roster, his stock is plummeting heading into the bye.

3. Andrew Sendejo

One way or another, Andrew Sendejo will find a way to upset you on a Sunday afternoon.

If you see the Browns defense involved in a gang tackle, you can bet the house Sendejo is the last one in on the play.

It’s infuriating, as the safety position should be someone with good instincts.

#Browns Safety, Andrew Sendejo, has been a liability this year.

Andrew is the only player in the #NFL to allow a perfect Passer Rating in the 1st 5 games.

He has allowed 3 TDs (2nd) and a Completion Rate of 80% (14th).

His Overall Grade of 44.6 per @PFF ranks 75th/83 Safeties. pic.twitter.com/aqKKNjc7qJ

— The Hottest Take (@Hottest_TakePod) October 13, 2020