Fansided

3 players Browns should extend with Baker Mayfield’s money

By Nicholas McGee

Nov 22, 2020; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (21) reacts after a pass play to Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert (88) during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2020; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (21) reacts after a pass play to Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert (88) during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 10, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Browns offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) reacts returning to the bench after a Browns touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter at Heinz Field. The Browns won 48-37. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Browns offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) reacts returning to the bench after a Browns touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter at Heinz Field. The Browns won 48-37. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Wyatt Teller

Handing a contract extension to a guard isn’t sexy, but it is a necessary move when you have identified one who is critical to your offense as Teller was for Cleveland last season.

An astute acquisition made in a trade with the Buffalo Bills back in 2019, Teller was one of the top run-blocking guards in football in his second season with the Browns, his efforts helping Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt lead a Cleveland ground game that ranked seventh in Football Outsiders DVOA metric.

The Browns ranked sixth in Football Outsiders’ Adjusted Line Yards, which takes running back carries and attributes value to the offensive line, illustrating the impact Teller and his teammates in the trenches had in terms of opening running lanes for arguably the league’s most talented backfield.

Cleveland may want to see more from Teller in 2021, when making strides as a pass blocker will surely be the priority, but he has already demonstrated enough value to make him a player they should not want to let out of the building.

A free agent in 2022, Teller would command a lot of interest on the open market. With Mayfield under contract for two more years, keeping a key member of his support system around must be of more immediate concern for the Browns.

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