5 bold predictions for Cleveland Browns in 2020

The Browns spent a small fortune in free agency, but there’s no guarantee it will be enough to get Cleveland into the playoffs this season.

Credit the Browns front office for being proactive in free agency. Signing big-name guys like Austin Hooper and Jack Conklin will certainly make Cleveland a better football team in 2020. The question is how much this franchise can progress in Kevin Stefanski’s first year as its head coach.

At the very least, the offense should be much-improved. The team may have slightly overpaid for Hooper, but he’s going to catch a ton of balls from Baker Mayfield. The Conklin deal could be even more impactful. Giving Mayfield time to throw should be the team’s top priority heading into the preseason. Accomplishing that goal will require the team to select a starting left tackle in the upcoming draft.

The defense still has question marks though. The linebacking corps still lacks a real impact player to tie things together. Getting Myles Garrett back should help cure a lot of the team’s issues though. If he can stay on the field for a full 16-game slate he should put up eye-popping statistics.

It’s important for Browns fans to remember that this team only won six games last year. Even a two game improvement will still leave them outside the playoff picture looking in. Cleveland needs a lot of bold predictions to come through if they want to crash the postseason.

5. Nick Chubb will go under 1,000 yards rushing

The addition of Hooper means the Browns will throw the football more in 2020. That should equal less touches for Nick Chubb at the running back position. In a perfect world, the coaching staff would like to keep him under 200 carries.

Last year he carried the ball 298 times for 1,494 yards on the ground. That was a great statistical season for Chubb, but it’s not good for this offense’s overall success.

Chubb needs less work if this offense is going to maximize its production. Look for him to drop under 1,000 yards rushing this year as a part of the team’s philosophical change.