By: Jake Rajala

In Week 1, The Cleveland Browns pass rush was more fierce (and a tad deranged) than the lunatics chasing the wives that escaped Immortan Joe in Mad Max: Fury Road.

The Browns ousted four sacks (with three sacks coming from none other than Myles Garrett) on their former QB Baker Mayfield. It was clear that Mayfield wasn’t enjoying the quality of the Carolina Panthers OL on Sunday.

It was and still is extremely vital that CLE can continue to find ways to dominate with Deshaun Watson on the sideline for 11 games. The Browns were certainly able to garner production from Nick Chubb (22 attempts for 141 rushing yards). On defense, Garrett took it upon himself to dismantle the pass protection of the Panthers.

The Browns pass rush can be the key reason that the Browns can consistently find gold with their star QB MIA. Besides Garrett pushing for a DPOY award in 2022, the Browns have talented pass-rushing faces like Jadeveon Clowney and Chase Winovich (who recently cut his hair). Clowney didn’t match Garrett’s production on Sunday, but he still ousted a .5 sack. The issue with Clowney has been his inability to stay healthy — as he missed three games in 2021 and eight contests in 2020. If the former first overall pick by the Texans can stay healthy, the Browns have a Top-5 pass rushing duo with him and Garrett.

The Browns may not have their highly gifted & very controversial QB, but they still have an unearthly figure on defense (also known as Myles Garrett). The fellow AFC North squad in the Pittsburgh Steelers made the post-season in 2021, largely due to the rage from the 2021 DPOY winner T.J. Watt. The Steelers recipe for success last season could provide inspiration for the Browns in 2022 (whether the dog-pound would like to admit it).

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By: Jake Rajala

The Cleveland Browns officially reunited with Jadeveon Clowney today. Clowney has agreed to a one-year contract worth $11 million dollars, per NFL.com. The former first overall pick returned from the dead and registered nine sacks, 11 TFLs, and 19 QB hits in 14 games last season. Clowney and Myles Garrett should return to being the most lethal pass-rushing duo in the league next season.

Outside of the Browns dynamic pass-rushing tandem, the Browns also have Chase Winovich at the edge-rushing spot.

The Clowney acquisition comes after the Browns traded for numerous other elite profiles: the utterly talented, controversial QB Deshaun Watson and explosive WR Amari Cooper. Clowney may have missed the Bahamas trip, but he will begin non-stop training with his familiar team very soon. It may seem plausible that the Browns could also witness a return from Odell Beckham Jr, Joe Haden, or perhaps Sheldon Richardson. Of course, the long-time Brown Jarvis Landry decided to head back to the Big Easy and ink a deal with the Saints.

It was important that the Browns brought in a top-tier pass-rusher and impressive profile in late May. The AFC guns race has been in full force this off-season. The Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, and Los Angeles Chargers have stacked their rosters and aimed their cannons at Cincinnati, Kansas City, and Buffalo. Well, it appears that there is another AFC juggernaut coming out of the shadow: the Cleveland Browns.

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By: Ivan Mulinder

If the Cleveland Browns were to start the 2022 season now, they would have 3 weaknesses in their roster that could limit their season to 9-10 wins (even with Deshaun Watson playing all 17 games). These weaknesses are:

1. Wide Receiver
2. Defensive End
3. Defensive Tackle

Wide Receiver

The Browns WR1 is Amari Cooper, who is a very good Wide Receiver. In 2021, the Cowboys didn’t use him to his full potential, but he was still 12th in receiving touchdowns and gained 865 yards on 68 receptions. He had 8.3 yards per target and a catch % of 65.4%. When he has played in most of the games in a season he has consistently gained over 1000+ receiving yards. His PFF receiving grade last season was 73.9. Deshaun Watson with Amari Cooper should be a great combination, the problem is the Browns don’t have any great wide receiver talent below Amari Cooper.

Donovan People-Jones is their WR2 currently. He had 3 touchdowns, 597 yards on 34 receptions with a catch % of 61.5%, 11.6 yards per target, and a PFF receiving grade of 67. DPJ is a promising young wide receiver who Watson should elevate further, but that is conjecture at the moment.

David Bell, the Browns wide receiver drafted in Round 3 at pick 99 from Purdue, is highly regarded by the Browns Front Office, but he’s still a rookie. The Browns need to add another quality wide receiver and the obvious target is Will Fuller.

Will Fuller was playing with Deshaun Watson in 2020 and in 11 games he scored 8 touchdowns with 879 yards on 53 receptions and a catch % of 70.7%. His PFF receiving grade was 85. The problem with Will Fuller is he’s injury-prone, missing virtually all of last season with a broken thumb.

The Browns have an excellent Quarterback in Deshaun Watson. The Bengals and Chiefs have shown what is possible with a top 5 QB with excellent receivers and an average defense. Let’s remind ourselves of Watson’s 2020 statistics:

• 4,823 passing yards which was 1st in the NFL
• 33 passing touchdowns which was 7th in the NFL
• 70.2% completion rate which is excellent
• 1.3% interception %
• PFF overall grade of 92.5 and a passing grade of 91.2

The Browns have two very good Tight Ends in David Njoku and Harrison Bryant, but their receiving threat needs another quality addition if they are to emulate the Bengals and Chiefs successes who both had glaring holes in Defense. The Browns have 2 glaring holes in their Defense.

Defensive End

The Defensive End Room in Cleveland is similar to that of their Wide Receiver Room in that they have a great No1, but nothing great below him. Myles Garrett at the LDE position is outstanding. Chase Winovich is the top choice at RDE. Chase Winovich last season had a PFF run-blocking grade of 67.2 and pass-rushing grade of 48.9. His best year was in 2020 when he had 85 combined tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 12 QB hits, and 5.5 sacks.

Behind Chase is rookie Alex Wright (who was their Round 3 pick at 78 in the Draft). Behind Myles Garrett is Stephen Weatherly. His grades last season were 6 tackles for loss, 7 QB hits, and a PFF pass-rush grade of 58.9 with a run-blocking grade of 49.

The Browns need Jadeveon Clowney back. In 2021 playing for the Browns he had 11 sacks, 19 QB hits, and 11 tackles for loss. He’s clearly a step up from the Browns backup defensive ends and would make the Edge Room good, with Grant Delpit and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah adding further potential at blitzing.

Defensive Tackle

The Browns really don’t seem to value the defensive tackle position and I don’t understand why. The Browns get gashed every year by running teams and with the Ravens in their division, you’d think they would have learned their lesson by now. As it stands their DT Room is poor.

I think Taven Bryan is their likely starting RDT who had 2 sacks last season, 4 tackles for loss, 8 QB hits, 56 combined tackles, with a PFF run-blocking grade of 44.4. Behind him is Tommy Togiai who had a PFF run-blocking grade of 49 last season.

Over at LDT, the starters are going to be either Sheldon Day or Jordan Elliott. Sheldon Day is the Browns current best run-blocking DT with a PFF grade of 59.1. This shows how weak the Browns are at running blocking Tackle. Elliott has a PFF run-blocking grade of 45. The Browns at least drafted an LDT in Perrion Winfrey, but his likely development is that of an interior pass rusher as he’s very aggressive with very long arms. They really need him to develop into a better run blocking tackle.

A solution can be found in Free Agency with Akiem Hicks still available. He’s not a long-term solution to their run blocking woes, as he’s getting old now, but when he plays a full season he consistently stacks up solid statistics at tackling and QB hits. His PFF run-blocking grade has recently been in the mid 60’s, but in 2018 he hit 92.7!

The post Three biggest weaknesses for the Browns right now appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Jake Rajala

The New England Patriots have been linked to the five-time Pro Bowl selection Ndamukong Suh after Suh was spotted in Fenway Park (Boston Red Sox stadium). It was reported by Ian Rappaport that Suh didn’t visit with the Pats, but it would make sense if the Pats had a strong interest in the former Lions DT. Tyrann Mathieu recently visited the Saints after having prior arrangements in New Orleans. Suh could decide to stop by the Pats facility soon or still return to hang out with Belichick due to the logical fit between the two sides.

Suh has the excellent athletic ability and he’s a force to be reckoned with from multiple spots on the DL. The Patriots like to play out of multiple fronts, so Suh could blossom from the one technique, three-technique, and DE.

Suh is still a very good football player and he showed that last season. He recorded six sacks, 7 tackles for loss, and 13 QB hits. He does an excellent job of taking care of his health, so he can perform at a high level at age 35.

The Pats could use more explosion for Mac Jones on offense, but they could also benefit from more beef and talent in their defensive front. The DE/OLB Chase Winovich was shipped off to the Cleveland Browns and the Pats really haven’t signed many defensive pieces in free agency. In particular, they haven’t signed any DL in free agency. Suh would absolutely be a fantastic signing and a true upgrade over Davon Godchaux.

Belichick and Suh fail to throw in the gloves at late stages in their careers. If Suh doesn’t return to Tampa Bay with the highly motivated Tom Brady, it would be very fitting if the legendary DT joins Brady’s former mythical head coach in 2022.

The post Why the Pats should really sign Suh appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Ivan Mulinder

The Browns have had an excellent Free Agency so far. In the PFF Off-season Improvement Index, they have been ranked the 4th most improved team behind the Broncos, Colts, and Raiders. To date they have brought in:

• WR Amari Cooper
• QB Deshaun Watson
• QB Jacoby Brissett
• WR Jakeem Grant
• OLB/DE Chase Winovich
• DT Taven Bryan

They’ve resigned:

• TE David Njoku
• OT Chris Hubbard
• LB Anthony Walker

Not only have the Browns brought in quality players in their positions of most need, but Andrew Berry has also been creating Cap space in the process. Currently, the Browns have a Cap space of $36,762,641 which is the second-highest in the NFL. Let’s take a look at the Browns new additions in more detail.

Amari Cooper is one of the league’s best route runners and stretches the field which is something the Browns have been desperate to achieve for the last 2 years. In 2021 Cooper totaled 865 yards with an average of 12.7 per reception and scored 8 touchdowns. He has scored 27 touchdowns in the last 4 years and is undoubtedly the Browns new WR1. He fits the Browns preferred no-nonsense style and most of his salary went into a signing bonus with the rest stretched out by adding 2 void years. 

Jakeem Grant is a slot WR and has been brought in as the Browns new Kick and Punt returner. He’s only scored 3 touchdowns in the last 3 years, but they have all been from returns. He has returned over 300 punt yards for each of the last two years including a touchdown both years, and in 2021 he returned 539 yards on kicks. In 2019 he returned 578 yards on kicks including another touchdown for 101 yards. 

Deshaun Watson is one of the top 5 NFL Quarterbacks. In 2020 he threw for 4,823 yards and 33 touchdowns. He’s as mobile as he’s accurate with a Relative Athletic Score of 9.24. He’s arguably the best QB the Browns have had in their entire history; amongst Browns QBs his 2020 data ranks 1st in passing yards/year, 1st in touchdowns/year, 1st in completion % (70.2%), and 1st in rushing yards (444).

Jacoby Brissett is probably going to be the Browns starting QB in 2022 assuming Watson gets a ban on games. Interestingly PFF graded him 15 of 38 qualifying starters last season, 2 behind Mahomes and ahead of Russell Wilson! The NFL ranked him 34 of 62, but we need to remember that the Miami O Line was incredibly poor and he still managed a 62.9% completion percentage. He’s 29, 6.4 and 238 lbs. His best year was in 2019 when he threw 2,942 yards and 18 touchdowns, with only 6 interceptions and a completion percentage of 60.9%. His QB play is better than these stats look and he’s certainly a very capable backup to Watson, although the Browns clearly want Watson to start as soon as possible.

Chase Winovich is 6.3, 250 lbs, and is already proving a hit with Browns fans on Twitter. His data speaks louder than his tweets, fortunately, proclaiming that the Browns have picked up a quality OLB. He fell out of favor with the Patriots in 2021, but in 2020 he had 5.5 sacks, 33 solo tackles, 6 tackles for loss, and 12 QB hits. If he produces that form again then the Browns Defense has significantly improved, and let’s face it, it was very good already.

Taven Bryan is a former first-round pick No. 29 from the Jacksonville Jaguars who’s only 26 and is 6.5, 291 lbs. He’s on a 1 year $5 million prove-it deal as he’s never quite lived up to his status in Florida. The good news is he’s consistently played 15+ games every season and last year got 2 sacks, 8 QB hits, and 4 tackles for loss. The Browns DT room is barren and Bryan is a much-needed pick-up.

Of their re-signed players David Njoku is the standout player so far with a 67.9% catch percentage and 9 yards per target with zero fumbles. This is the best data of his career and he will become the Browns TE1 following the release of Austin Hooper. Chris Hubbard is a very important depth piece on the Browns O Line and Anthony Walker amassed 113 tackles last season which is the second-best of his career.

Looking ahead to further signings the Browns are linked closely to the following players:

• DE Jadeveon Clowney
• DE Za’Darius Smith
• WR Will Fuller
• DT Akiem Hicks
• DE Danielle Hunter

The Browns want another quality DE opposite Garrett before going into the Draft. Last season it was Clowney who has been offered a 2 year $24 million deal. Personally, I’d prefer Melvin Ingram who has a much higher PFF Run Defense grade than Clowney- 76.7 compared to 62.8, and a higher pass rush grade- 77.3 compared to 69.1. Comparing total pressures they’re very similar with both over 50. Danielle Hunter from the Vikings had 6 sacks, 6 tackles for loss and 10 QB hits last season and has 35 sacks in 39 games so would be a very good addition if he arrived.

Will Fuller would be a very exciting Wide Receiver addition. In 2020, with Watson as his QB on Go/Fly/Fade routes he was 1st in receiving yards (292), and Watson has a Passer Rating of 152.1 which was 1st. Like Amari Cooper Fuller would stretch the field as his longest reception in 2020 was 77 yards and he scored 8 touchdowns.

Akiem Hicks is just the run stuffer that the Browns have needed and never had for years. He’s 6.4, 330 lbs, and a 2 gap run blocker that collapses the pocket enabling linebackers to fly about and do their thing. Imagine JOK, Jacob Phillips, Sione Takitaki, and Winovich with the freedom to play?!

The post Cleveland Browns free agency outlook and rumors appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Reese Nasser

The New England Patriots were arguably the team most impacted by Covid opt-outs in 2020. They lost key pieces on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. These losses represented both their play on the field and their record at the end of the season. 

New England finished 2020 with a 7-9 record, their first single-digit win season since 2002, and their first losing season since the year 2000. 

But 2021 should be different for this New England defense. They have been aggressive in fixing this defense, through the draft and free agency. This defense will look vastly different than it did in 2020 when they allowed 22.1 ppg, their most in more than 20 years. Here’s why this Patriots defense will return to form in 2021. 

Returning players post-covid 

The Patriots will be getting back veteran linebacker Dont’a Hightower this season after he chose to opt-out of last season due to concerns with covid. 

The last time that Hightower stepped onto the field for the Patriots, he left his mark. He played well in 2019, recording 5.5 sacks, 71 tackles, and 8 tackles for loss. 

He has crafted out his role in New England. He has spent eight seasons with the Patriots and even though this team has gone through a drastic change, he should continue to be a leader on this squad in 2021. 

Young players 

New England has gone out of their way to establish a defense consisting of some of the NFL’s best young talents. They have continued their streak of being one of the best drafting teams in the NFL, continuing to find hidden gems and getting lucky enough to have star collegiate players fall to them in the draft. 

The Patriots drafted safety Kyle Dugger out of Lenoir-Rhyne with the 37th pick in the 2020 draft. New England took a swing on selecting Dugger, as many teams chose to pass on him due to him being from a division II school.

Dugger played well when called upon as he started 7 games for the Patriots and appeared in 14. He recorded 64 tackles and overall looked like a building block for this defense. He will have big shoes to fill, as he steps into the role left by longtime safety Patrick Chung who opted out of 2020 and eventually made the decision to retire.

Linebacker Chase Winovich will also look to be a long term piece of this defense. Entering year-three, Winovich is finally starting to find his footing in this Patriots defense. He has recorded 5.5 sacks in both of his first two seasons and has recorded 74 tackles and 10 tackles for loss during his time. 

Strong Rookie Class

The Patriots went heavy on defense in the 2021 draft. After selecting Alabama quarterback Mac Jones with their first pick of the draft, they doubled up on defense with their next two picks. With the 38th pick, they selected Alabama defensive tackle Christian Barmore. They then selected Oklahoma edge rusher Ronnie Perkins with the 96th pick. 

Barmore was highly regarded as the draft’s best defensive tackle. His lasting until pick 38 caught many people off-guard and the Patriots will benefit from this selection. 

Barmore will look to be a day one starter on this defense. In his final 11 games at Alabama, he racked up 9.5 tackles for loss and 8 sacks. The Patriots will expect big things from their second-round selection. 

Oklahoma edge rusher Ronnie Perkins will be more of a long-term development for the Patriots. He will sit behind and learn from some of the league’s best at his position. 

Perkins was one of college football’s best edge players in recent seasons. He spent three seasons at Oklahoma where he made an impact from day one. During his time, he tallied 16.5 sacks and 32 tackles for loss. He could be a shocking addition to this defense and could be a big piece in the near future. 

Free Agent Signings 

The Patriots went all in on free agency this off-season. They spent big on both sides of the ball. On defense, they added solid defensive players such as Matthew Judon, Kyle Van Noy, and Davon Godchaux. The players that they added on defense could cause this unit to instantly become one of the NFL’s best. 

Matthew Judon could prove to be the biggest signing for this defense. He signed a four-year $56 million dollar deal that will make him a centerpiece of this defense. 

Judon played during his time with the Baltimore Ravens. He spent five years in Baltimore where he recorded 34.5 sacks and 103 quarterback hits. 

The Patriots clearly have a history full of success, and after a lackluster 2020 are looking to make sure that this upcoming season is different. They have gone all in with the team that they have assembled. This defense has been consistent for this team and their 2021 will show that they will return to being elite. Expect big things from this unit this upcoming season. 

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