Is anyone surprised the Cleveland Browns did not pan out in 2019? This was the most predictable team failures in years. There are plenty of reasons why the Browns will notch another losing season.
First, Baker Mayfield was highly overrated coming into the season and there is no reason why. Many thought that the addition of Odell Beckham Jr. would create an unstoppable offense with Jarvis Landry. Those same people forgot that those two receivers have been on losing teams most of their careers and do not know how to win. The job Freddie Kitchens has done speaks for itself.
The storyline heading into the offseason in Cleveland will be, surprise, Beckham's future. There are rumors that he wants out of Cleveland and to join a contending team. This is not surprising considering the kind of player that he is.
If the Browns do decide to part ways with Beckham, this is a great draft class to find his replacement in.
Henry Ruggs III to Cleveland?
With a current record of 6-9 and one more game to play, the Browns are slated to have a top-15 pick in the draft. If they lose Beckham, there will be a glaring need for a wide receiver. Aside from Landry and Jones, no other wide receiver on the team totaled 200 yards. Names like Jerry Jeudy and CeeDee Lamb will most likely be gone by the Browns' pick, but that could leave them with Henry Ruggs III.
This is not a bad position to be in. The Browns could look to target an offensive lineman such as Alex Leatherwood from Oklahoma given that their line was shaky at times. Ruggs would be a hard player to pass on. He finished with 38 catches for 719 yards and seven touchdowns this season with the Crimson Tide. Ruggs comes from a winning program and knows how to play in a pro style offense.
Ruggs' main attraction is his speed. There is no one faster than Ruggs in this draft and that includes his teammate Jeudy. He is a reliable pass catcher and can get past a defender at any time given his crazy acceleration. What Ruggs lacks in route running, he makes up for in speed.
Cleveland has made it clear that they want their offense to be elite. That did not happen this year. It is hard to imagine that being the case under Kitchens, but the Browns have shown loyalty to their current coach. That may not be the case with Beckham. If they choose to part ways with him, they will need to find a replacement and Ruggs is a strong option.
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