The Cleveland Browns turnaround was in full effect last season. They went from 0-16 to 7-8-1 in just one year. However, they're expected to take another huge step in 2019. They've brought in a lot of talent – and have tons of young studs rising in the ranks on their roster.
With that being said, improvements won't happen team wide if some players don't take the next step forward in their development. That doesn't mean we're talking about players who struggled either.
In fact, a lot of the time teams are banking on players that looked great to improve. For example, a rookie could have a great year for a rookie – but if he continues at that pace his entire career you'll be left wanting more.
With that in mind, who are three players that need to take the next step for the Cleveland Browns in 2019?
3. Baker Mayfield
Like I said, this doesn't mean the players were bad last year. Baker Mayfield was one of the best, most exciting rookies in 2018. The quarterback threw for 3,725 yards and 27 touchdowns. That's an awesome rookie season.
However, if he duplicates those stats in 2019 – it would be a disappointment. That is even more obvious when considering Odell Beckham Jr. is now on the team to help him out.
Mayfield showed all the talent in the world in 2018. Not throwing for over 4,000 yards and 30 touchdowns wouldn't mean he had a bad season – but it wouldn't be the best news for Cleveland. Throwing fewer than 14 interceptions would be a great improvement as well.
Mayfield proved last season that he can lead the team to victories. However, they might go only as far as he can take them.
If he doesn't take another step in his development – the development of the Cleveland Browns might stagnate as well.
2. Nick Chubb
Mayfield can't do it all alone though. The Browns have great receivers in Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry. David Njoku is a strong tight end as well. However, the team can't be one-dimensional.
Nick Chubb had an amazing rookie season. He ran for 996 yards on 192 carries (5.2 yards per carry) and eight touchdowns. Clearly he's only going to get better – but that will need to happen this year.
With Kareem Hunt out for the first few week, Chubb is the clear star of the running back group. He's not much of a pass catcher though. If he can pick that up a little bit, it would open up the field a lot more for Mayfield.
Meanwhile, on the ground Chubb needs to continue his progressions. He's already at a level where defenses need to respect him. However, he should see a lot of favorable defenses with the passing offense the Browns have. With that in mind, he needs to capitalize.
If Chubb can capitalize on the defensive schemes he sees that are trying to cover the pass – he'll make them worry about the run more. Once that happens, things get easier for Mayfield and company. People helping people.
All it takes is a step forward.
1. Denzel Ward
Denzel Ward was awesome in his rookie season. I know I sound like a broken record once again complimenting a rookie year by a Browns player. The cornerback definitely fits that mold.
Ward is a different case than Chubb and Mayfield though because he doesn't have another player on this list to help him out. Of course, there's talent on the defense (Myles Garrett is a freak for one). However, the secondary is a little iffy.
They definitely have skilled players, but a lot of them are younger. Ward is already the best cornerback on the team – and they'll need him to improve and fill that role as best as he can. With rookies and other younger players around him, Ward will need to be a veteran presence for the cornerbacks.
That's a tall task to ask of a 22-year-old second-year player – I know that. However, it's something the defense might need.
Therefore, it's pretty imperative that Ward takes his next step forward if the Cleveland Browns want to succeed in 2019.
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