Browns Fans Should Temper Expectations With Jadeveon Clowney
Cleveland finally has a competitive NFL team.
The Cleveland Browns finished the 2020 season 11-5, and then went on to win their first playoff game since 1994 when they defeated their division rival Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card round.
Now the Browns are looking to re-tool and prepare for another season of NFL football. One of their key acquisitions this offseason was Jadeveon Clowney, the defensive end who last played for the Tennessee Titans in 2020. If the former No. 1 overall draft pick can return to the level of play he had in 2017 and 2018, the Browns' one-two punch of Myles Garrett and Clowney will be one of the best pass rushing duos in football.
That’s a big if.
Cleveland Browns fans shouldn’t get their hopes up too high for Clowney, who has struggled with injuries issues his entire career. He hasn’t played a full 17-game season once in his seven year NFL career. After playing in 16 games for the Houston Texans in 2017, he’s played in fewer games each year since with 15 appearances in 2018, 13 in 2019, and then only eight last year in Tennessee.
Clowney seems to be confident that he'll be able to remain healthy this season.
“I think I proved myself. I was feeling good coming off that knee injury. I’ve been training extremely hard this offseason so I kind of already have a feel of where I was coming here. I wouldn’t have come if I wasn’t healthy. I would’ve told them the same thing. I felt great coming in, and I feel great now. Hopefully I can keep getting stronger and faster and get ready for training camp.”
Even despite the injuries, Clowney has never lived up to the expectations that some with being the first overall pick in an NFL Draft. He hasn’t hit double-digit sacks once in his career, and the Browns will be the fourth team he’s played for in his career.
The former South Carolina prodigy seems healthy now, but who knows how long his knee will last considering he’s already had three surgeries on it throughout his career.
The Browns win total is set at 10.5 wins, which would be a step back from last season considering the NFL is moving to a 17-game schedule this year. If it’s any consolation, the Browns are listed second on the odds list to win the AFC North at +175, with only the Baltimore Ravens listed higher at +105. They’re also -250 favorites to return to the postseason for the second straight year.
If Clowney is able to remain healthy, and be a force on the defensive line opposite Garrett, that would be a huge help for the Browns in 2021.