Dawgs By Nature
The Cleveland Browns are ranked dead last in the AFC North Division with a 2-6-0 record. Their schedule gets better as numerous struggling teams are ahead on the horizon. Currently, the Browns are three games out of first place in the division and the final AFC wild card spot.
The Cleveland offense is absolutely horrible. Except for the 31 points they laid on the Miami Dolphins, this group hasn’t scored more than 20 points in a game. The offensive line has been banged up for most of the season, mainly at both tackle spots, but now this group is healthy.
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The run game has come alive with rookie Quinshon Judkins, and using two good tight ends in David Njoku and rookie Harold Fannin has added sparks here and there.
But the receiver group is not good. Not good at all.
Currently, the receiver room ranks #29 in the league. They are dead last in the league in average yards per reception with 8.5 yards. The seven passing TDs rank #30. They have the second fewest passing plays of 20+ yards (14) and are dead last in passing plays of 40+ yards (0). Cleveland also has the shortest long-distance passing play with a 35-yard reception.
Blame using a rookie quarterback. Blame the offensive line. Blame the play caller. Or just blame the fact that these receivers just aren’t very good.
Jerry Jeudy has been the most disappointing this year, after a very good first year with the Browns, with his low production this year and the large number of drops. Isaiah Bond was supposed to be this terrific wild card, but he hasn’t been a factor at all. Cedric Tillman has been hurt for the majority of the season. Jamari Thrash has good hands but will go down on the first effort by any defender, and both Malachi Corley and Gage Larvadain have only seen spot duty.
Look at the production for this year’s group during the bye week:
Editor’s note: NFL rankings are based on total receptions
Jerry Jeudy (6’-1”, 195 pounds) – NFL ranking: #136: 8 starts, 54 targets, 22 receptions, 257 yards, 11.7 yards per reception average, 0 touchdowns, 0 fumbles, 15 first down conversions, 0 rushes, 8 drops
Ced Tillman (6’-3”, 215 pounds) – NFL ranking: #270: 4 starts, 20 targets, 11 receptions,1067 yards, 9.6 yards per reception average, 2 touchdowns, 0 fumbles, 8 first down conversions, 0 rushes, 0 drops
Jamari Thrash (6’-0”, 190 pounds) – NFL ranking: #291: 1 start, 14 targets, 10 receptions, 107 yards, 10.7 yards per reception average, 0 touchdowns, 0 fumbles, 5 first down conversions, 0 rushes, 0 drops
Isaiah Bond (5’-11”, 180 pounds) – NFL ranking: #270: 2 starts, 30 targets, 11 receptions, 123 yards, 11.2 yards per reception average, 0 touchdowns, 0 fumbles, 5 first down conversions, 1 rush for 9 yards, 3 drops
Malachi Corley (5’-11”, 215 pounds) – NFL ranking: #450: 0 starts, 2 targets,...
