5 bold predictions for Cleveland Browns in 2020

4. Austin Hooper will lead tight ends in receiving yards

The Browns made Hooper the highest-paid tight end in football for a reason. That reason is that they expect to feature him heavily in their offense for the next several years.

He’s a great schematic fit with the team’s returning personnel. Odell Beckham Jr. will keep defenses honest with his work deep down the field. Jarvis Landry will roll safeties up with his work in the slot. That leaves a lot of space in the middle of the field for Hooper to exploit.

Look for Stefanski’s play calling to feature the tight end heavily. The Browns could also stand to roll Mayfield out of the pocket to keep the pressure away from him. Anytime Mayfield gets out onto the edge you can expect Hooper to be his primary target.

Add it all up and Hooper is in line for a monster campaign. He will blow by the 787 yards receiving he had for the Falcons in 2019. Expect him to break the 1,000 yards receiving mark which should position him to be the most productive tight end in football from a statistical perspective.