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5 breakout stars to watch for Cleveland Browns in 2020

By Russell S. Baxter

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 25: Head coach Kevin Stefanski of the Cleveland Browns speaks to the media at the Indiana Convention Center on February 25, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) *** Local Capture *** Kevin Stefanski
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 25: Head coach Kevin Stefanski of the Cleveland Browns speaks to the media at the Indiana Convention Center on February 25, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) *** Local Capture *** Kevin Stefanski /
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CLEVELAND, OHIO – DECEMBER 08: Center JC Tretter #64 of the Cleveland Browns talks to his teammates prior to the snap during the second half against the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Bengals 27-19. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO – DECEMBER 08: Center JC Tretter #64 of the Cleveland Browns talks to his teammates prior to the snap during the second half against the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Bengals 27-19. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

4. C J.C. Trotter

The offensive line of the Cleveland Browns certainly took its share of criticism this past season. In particular, the club struggled when it came to pass protection. It’s one of the reasons this team has been linked to the possibility of obtaining Washington Redskins’ seven-time left tackle Trent Williams, who is very much on the trade market.

While it was a rough second year for quarterback Baker Mayfield, he didn’t get a great deal of help when it came to keeping him out of harm’s way. He was sacked 40 times and actually finished with more turnovers (23) than touchdown passes.

General manager Andrew Berry has already upgraded this unit with the signing of right tackle Jack Conklin, who earned All-Pro honors as a rookie in 2016 and has been a 16-game starter in three of his four seasons. He’s also made five starts in the postseason, somewhere the Browns haven’t been since 2002.

Another positive has been the play of center J.C. Tretter, who has started every game for the Browns since joining the team in 2017. While he could hone his game in terms of run blocking, he was the second-best pass-protector at his position in the league via Pro Football Focus (subscription required). That’s certainly something to build on.

Next: No. 3

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