Subscribe
Follow Us
The Cleveland Browns were poised to take over the league with their big-name roster. In fact, they were deemed by many as a dark-horse playoff contender last season. However, it didn't turn out the way they wanted it to be.
The Browns ended with a subpar 6-10 record to finish third in the AFC North division led by powerhouse Baltimore Ravens. The disappointing conclusion to their 2019 season led to the firing of former head coach Freddie Kitchens.
In the coming season, the team will usher in a new era, spearheaded by new head coach Kevin Stefanski. Under a new system, Baker Mayfield along with Odell Beckham Jr., and the rest of the Browns will aim to end an 18-year playoff drought.
With the 2020 season still a couple of months away, the Dawg Pound can only resort to the latest installment of the Madden NFL franchise, Madden 21, to see their team in action.
Here are the top 10 rated players of the Cleveland Browns.
10. Sheldon Richardson, DT
Previous rating: 84, Madden 21 rating: 81
Even though his rating dropped, Sheldon Richardson's stats say otherwise about his production on the field. Since becoming a Brown in 2019, he has tallied more compared to his last tenure with the Minnesota Vikings in 2018. The defensive tackle accounted for 62 total tackles, three sacks, and four passes defended. He has also started in 15 out of 16 total games last season and remains to be part of the Browns' defensive core for the years to come.
9. Olivier Vernon, LE
Previous rating: 85, Madden 21 rating: 82
A knee-injury haunted the 30-year old pass rusher in the 2019 season which caused him to only appear in 10 games for the Browns, all of which he has started in. During the offseason, he agreed to take a restructured contract in order to stay with the Browns for another year. If healthy, he can continue to serve as a potent defensive threat paired with star defensive end Myles Garrett.
8. Jarvis Landry, WR
Previous rating: 84, Madden 21 rating: 85
The five-time Pro Bowler had the most receiving yards of his career last season with 1,174 yards. He coupled this with 83 total receptions and six touchdowns. Similar to his LSU running mate Odell Beckham Jr., a hip injury limited his production on the gridiron. On February 20, 2020, it was revealed that Landry had undergone hip surgery. He also confessed that the said injury bothered him all throughout the 2019 season, despite efforts to undergo rehabilitation.
7. Joel Bitonio, LG
Previous rating: 87, Madden 21 rating: 86
Joel Bitonio remains to be one of the longest-tenured players in the Browns' current roster and is still a reliable veteran guard for the team. He has played and started in all 79 games ever since he was drafted back in 2014. He paved the way to free up the Browns' offensive weapons all while committing just three penalties and allowing only 1.5 sacks in 16 games played last season. His stellar play also gave him a second consecutive second-team All-Pro selection and a second-straight Pro Bowl appearance as well. His steady contribution to the Browns definitely makes the slight drop in his Madden 21 rating questionable.
6. Denzel Ward, CB
Previous rating: 88, Madden 21 rating: 86
Ward had an exceptional rookie season which saw him earn a Pro Bowl appearance and inclusion in the NFL All-Rookie Team back in 2018. However, the Ohio native took a step back in 2019 as he only had his first interception of the season in Week 14. He was also battling a hamstring injury which forced Ward to miss four games, all near the beginning of the season. The Ohio State Buckeye needs to stay healthy and be consistent in the upcoming season in order for the Browns' defense to continue to wreak havoc against the opposing teams.
5. Kareem Hunt, RB
Article Continues Below
Previous rating: 90, Madden 21 rating: 87
Ever since arriving in Cleveland in 2019, Kareem Hunt took a backseat compared to his previous role for the Kansas City Chiefs in the years prior. He only started in three out of eight total games played and recorded a lowly 179 yards on 43 attempts to go with two touchdowns last season. With that, his Madden rating also dropped three points down. The Toledo product will look to find his way through an already-loaded Browns offense to be able to pull his rating higher and contribute better for his team.
4. Austin Hooper, TE
Previous rating: 85, Madden 21 rating: 89
Hooper was a usual target for Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan last season. He finished the 2019 season with 75 receptions for 787 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns en route to a Pro Bowl appearance in 2019, replacing the injured San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle in the lineup. He aims to continue this level of productivity in his debut year for the Browns next season.
3. Odell Beckham Jr., WR
Previous rating: 96, Madden 21 rating: 91
The highest-rated player for the Browns in last year's Madden 20 dipped five points below and his injury-riddled 2019 season was the answer. Back in early December 2019, it was revealed that Beckham was nagging a sports hernia injury. In January 2020, Beckham underwent core-muscle surgery. Despite the injuries, the former LSU Tiger still played in all 16 games and started in all but one contest. He still concluded the 2019 season with 74 receptions for 1,035 yards and four touchdowns. A healthy 2020 season should only see OBJ vie for a higher Madden rating throughout the season.
2. Nick Chubb, RB
Previous rating: 85, Madden 21 rating: 92
The ball-carrier from Georgia is one of the most slept-on offensive weapons in the league. His scoring consistency throughout last season earned him a seven-point increase from his Madden 20 rating. In the 2019 season, he rushed 1,494 yards on 298 attempts and scored a total of eight touchdowns. Chubb will still be expected to play a huge role for the Browns' offense in the upcoming season.
1. Myles Garrett, RE
Previous rating: 91, Madden 21 rating: 93
Myles Garrett's 2019 season was mainly highlighted by his controversial scuffle with Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph. However, it didn't stop Garrett from rising to a two-point increase in his rating. With a 93 overall rating, he sits atop the Browns top 10 rated players for Madden 21.
With a higher Madden rating and a fresh new contract, Garrett is primed for a breakout season in 2020 to help power the Browns back into the playoff picture.
