The hype surrounding the Cleveland Browns entering the 2019-20 season is at a fever pitch! The Browns are currently slight favorites to win the AFC North at online sportsbooks for the first time in forever, and it has everything to do with how Baker Mayfield and company closed last season and the reinforcements brought in over the course of the offseason. One of those huge pickups happened to be none other than Odell Beckham Jr. who has been one of the most productive wide receivers in the league since breaking into it back in 2014. Baker Mayfield was nothing short of electric in his rookie campaign leading the Browns to the No. 14 ranked passing attack. He did so without a No. 1 wide receiver to call his own; but now he’s got just that as well as a dominant running game to lean on after Nick Chubb also broke out. What a story it will all be if OBJ helps lead this franchise back to the postseason for the first time in 18 years!
Total Rushing Yards: 1250.5
Offensive Philosophy
Once Hue Jackson was finally shown the door and Freddie Kitchens – now the head coach – took over the offense, it took gargantuan steps forward. The unit scored 24 or more points in four of its last six games and banked on the passing game to do a bulk of the damage. When the dust cleared, the Browns pass play percentage checked in at nearly 60 percent overall (No. 15). Over the final three weeks of the season, that output increased to 61.8 percent (No. 9). A 60/40 pass run split is expected once again as balanced the offense looks.
However, Cleveland could bank on Chubb more often late in games as they look to close games out. So, Beckham Jr. is going to need to be as efficient as possible early on so as to get his and keep his fantasy and futures backers happy. As exciting the offense looks to be with all the new additions, it won’t run nearly as smooth as expected unless the retooled offensive line ranked No. 20 overall by Pro Football Focus gets into rhythm with one another quickly.
Cleveland Browns Football Schedule
Week 1: Titans
Week 2: @Jets
Week 3: Rams
Week 4: @Ravens
Week 5: @49ers
Week 6: Seahawks
Week 7: Bye Week
Week 8: @Patriots
Week 9: @Broncos
Week 10: Bills
Week 11: Steelers
Week 12: Dolphins
Week 13: @Steelers
Week 14: Bengals
Week 15: @Cardinals
Week 16: Ravens
Week 17: @Bengals
Schedule Breakdown
I already broke down Mayfield’s schedule and the end results weren’t great. He faces the 3rd toughest schedule strength. With that, it only comes to reason that Cleveland’s wide receivers will have their hands full as well. That’s exactly the case with the schedule strength checking in at No. 20 with a bulk of the opposition having above average pass defenses.
The three toughest matchups look to be the pair of division matchups against the Ravens as well as the Week 10 home game against the Buffalo Bills. Baltimore did however go through mass changes on the defensive side of the ball in the offseason, so it remains to be seen just how tough they are defending the pass this upcoming season.
Still, the only three cakewalks look to be right off the bat in Week 2 at the Jets and in Week 5 at the 49ers. Other than that, it’s far from a walk in the park. Even so, you can never truly tell if results from the previous season will carry over to the next. Come Week 5, we’ll all get a better idea of where every team stands defensively.
The Bet
OBJ has been nothing if not consistent and injury prone. When healthy, he’s a shoe-in to go for at least 1,000+ receiving yards. However, he’s only partaken in a full 16-game schedule once over the course of his five-year career, and is already battling a hip issue in training camp. While he’d likely suit up and play if it was a regular season game, it just goes to show how fragile this $65 million dollar man truly is. Only six other wide receivers have higher receiving yard totals at top rated sportsbooks, so he is in fine company.
However, the Browns look to have one of the more balanced offensive attacks in the league and compliment it with a defense I expect to take dramatic steps forward. That isn’t a recipe for individual success, and that’s something those looking to invest in the former LSU Tiger best take into consideration before putting their hard earned money down on his overall performance.
With the possibility of Cleveland running clock in the late stages numerous times paired with Beckham Jr’s injury prone ways, I’m hesitant to jump on his bandwagon in the futures market and will instead join those looking to fade his overall production.
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