5 reasons the Cleveland Browns will win the AFC North in 2020

5. Baker Mayfield Returns To His Talent Level

Baker Mayfield is still a very talented quarterback, and he has the makings to be one of the best quarterbacks in the league. We’ve forgotten how good he was because of how bad he was last season. Mayfield was not able to make the throws despite adding Odell Beckham Junior to the offense.

The reason for his decline had a lot to do with one thing: time. Mayfield had a lot less time to throw than he did in his rookie year. His protection rate went from above league average to one of the worst in the NFL last season. The Browns made sure to fix that this offseason. They signed Jack Conklin to a big contract in free agency, then drafted Jedrick Wills Jr. with their first-round pick.

Adding those pieces to the offensive line will change the most important factor in Mayfield’s game. Especially with Beckham being added to the offense, Mayfield needs extra time to let plays develop. He still has the ability to roll out of the pocket and extend plays, but knowing the offensive line is going to keep top rushers off him will help build his confidence.

We also expect the scheme to help Mayfield reach new heights. That will be something we touch on later, but Kevin Stefanski will help Mayfield more than anyone. Honestly, just having some stability at head coach will be huge. He’s had three in his first two seasons, and now he’s going on his fourth.

Almost every ranking has Baker Mayfield outside the top 15 for starting quarterbacks. This shows he has a lot of growth to show in 2020. If he just makes some of the throws he made in 2018 with the extra time we expect him to have, the Browns can make the playoffs with that specifically.