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Cleveland Browns post-bye week players to watch include Jedrick Wills Jr., Nick Chubb
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- Cleveland Browns post-bye week players to watch include Jedrick Wills Jr., Nick Chubb
BEREA — The final eight weeks of the Browns' season starts today.
The players and coaches return to Berea after their bye week and get to work on next Sunday's road game at the New Orleans Saints . That starts the stretch run for a 2-7 football team that is, in all honestly, just getting to the tough part of its schedule.
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The Saints, 3-7 after snapping a seven-game losing streak with a win over the NFC South-leading Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, are one of only three opponents left with a sub-.500. There's also a Week 16 Thursday night game at the Cincinnati Bengals , a 4-6 team that has already beaten Cleveland once, and a Week 17 home game against a Miami Dolphins team that's 2-6 entering its "Monday Night Football" game at Los Angeles Rams .
Other than that, it's nothing but teams with at least .500 record, the worst of those being a 5-5 Denver Broncos team the Browns will have to play in Denver, where they've only won four times in 17 all-time visits, including two AFC Championship games. There's still two games against the Pittsburgh Steelers and rematch at the Baltimore Ravens , plus a visit from the back-to-back Super Bowl winning Kansas City Chiefs .
Previously, questions that need to be answered on both the offensive and defensive side were asked. Now, we'll look at five players for whom these eight games provide an opportunity to adjust narrative, starting with, arguably, the biggest of them.
Jedrick Wills Jr., offensive tackle
Browns offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. heads back to the huddle after a play against the New York Giants, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Cleveland.
When last everyone saw the Browns , Jedrick Wills Jr. had been replaced at left tackle by Dawand Jones . Wills had given Jones the opening to take his place due to nagging injuries that had him in and out of the lineup after his initial return from last season's knee injury. For now, Wills will be the swing tackle, backing up both Jones on the left side and Jack Conklin on the right side. The former No. 10 overall pick in the 2020 draft is a free agent at the end of this season, so he's running out of time to make his case to get a big extension from the Browns. Considering the injury histories of both tackles currently starting, there's a solid chance that Wills will get another shot this season. What he does with it may alter his career arc going forward.
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Martin Emerson Jr., cornerback
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) catches a pass for first down over Cleveland Browns cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) on Oct. 20 in Cleveland.
This was supposed to be the season in which third-year cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. really broke through into a higher stratosphere. Instead, it's been a tough year, relatively speaking, for the former third-round pick. Emerson was seen entering the season as one of the league's best young press man coverage cornerbacks. However, he's found himself on the wrong end of the other team's targets more often than not. Part of that is because of Denzel Ward , who's had arguably his best all-around season, being on the other side. Still, Emerson has been targeted on 41 pass plays, which has led to 26 receptions for 356 yards and four touchdowns. Opposing quarterbacks have posted a 123.6 passer rating on throws against Emerson. Both he and fellow cornerback Greg Newsome II will be free agents after next season, meaning the Browns have to start formulating a plan going forward on how they'd like to address that conundrum. These eight games will certainly figure into the decision.
Ogbo Okoronkwo, defensive end
The trade of Za'Darius Smith to the Detroit Lions obviously opens the door for some of the Browns' younger defensive ends, primarily Isaiah McGuire and, likely, Sam Kamara . However, the 29-year-old Ogbo Okoronkwo may be the No. 1 player who could benefit from Smith's departure. Okoronkwo was part of the 2023 defensive line overhaul the Browns underwent, signing a three-year deal after a year with the Houston Texans . A pectoral injury cost him time last December, but he still finished with 4.5 sacks and 33 total pressures. This year, Okoronkwo has played just 38% of the defensive snaps, which has led to two sacks and seven total pressures. With the snap count expected to go up, those pressure numbers need to rise if the Browns hope to make up for the veteran Smith's departure.
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David Njoku , tight end
Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku runs past Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. (3) after a catch on Nov. 3 in Cleveland.
David Njoku had himself a career season a year ago, earning his first Pro Bowl appearance. This season has been one of frustration for Njoku. That's because of an ankle injury he suffered in the third quarter of the season opener that cost him three games. However, as Njoku has gotten back into the flow of the season, he's starting to see his production increase. The last four games heading into the bye, Njoku has a combined 25 catches on 35 targets for 197 yards and two touchdowns. A week of presumed rest for him should allow him to come back from the bye healthier than he was beforehand, which should allow him to get closer to being the player he was becoming last season.
Nick Chubb , running back
Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb runs the ball against the Baltimore Ravens on Oct. 27 in Cleveland.
The highlight of the first nine games — outside of the two wins, obviously — was Nick Chubb's return from last season's devastating knee injury in Week 7 against the Cincinnati Bengals. The heart and soul of the Browns provided an emotional boost with his comeback from his second major knee injury. Not surprisingly, the rust from the time off, as well as the injury, has shown itself over his first three games back. Chubb has gained 113 yards on 42 carries, although he did score a touchdown in his first game back. The eight games remaining provide the running back with an opportunity to continue to knock off the rust that's built up from the time off, as well as potentially play behind a more complete offensive line and a more competent passing game. The fan favorite will be a free agent after this season. It's hard to see him leaving Cleveland, or the Browns letting him walk, but showing signs of getting back to the old Chubb would be a welcomed development for all parties.
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Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Browns post-bye week players to watch starts with Jedrick Wills Jr.
