The top 10 players on the current Cleveland Browns roster

In light of the possibility that the Cleveland Browns could add free agent defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, contextualizing just how good he is seems worthwhile. These are the top ten players on the current roster and then ranking McCoy among them.

Pete Smith | May 28, 2019

The top 10 players on the current Cleveland Browns roster /

There's some level of science, some level of statistical analysis, but a large dose of opinion in determining who the top ten players are on the current Cleveland Browns roster. The players are ranked and there will be disagreement with the order, but it seems far more difficult to argue that which players belong.

This is over 20 percent of the team's game day roster, which puts the Browns and is a big reason why there is belief they can be a contender. They do have an opportunity to add another big time player in their roster in McCoy and where he would rank on this list is included in an attempt to illustrate just how good he is, the difference he could make in Cleveland.

10. Nick Chubb

Chubb's rookie was equal parts outstanding and confusing. Even from the first minicamp, it was clear he was the most talented back on the roster And yet, he was barely used until general manager John Dorsey stepped up in traded Carlos Hyde to make it so they didn't have a choice.

Even three carries for 101 yards and a pair of touchdowns against the Oakland Raiders wasn't enough. Good enough for the NFL record books, but not Hue Jackson. He eclipsed and then relinquished 1,000 rushing yards at the end of the year, but had well over that number in total yards.

Not only did he prove to be an incredibly dynamic runner with the ability to create yards after contact and make opponents miss, but he showed he someone that could contribute in the passing game. The ball he came down for a touchdown through a defender in the end zone against the Cincinnati Bengals answered that question once and for all.

Chubb is special and the hope is the only thing that could slow him down was a terrible head coach.

9. J.C. Tretter

Tretter has had awful luck in his NFL career. Three different times in three different seasons, Tretter has had someone fall on his legs causing an injury. This latest one last year was the only one he could physically play through and informed by the previous two incidents, he played through it the entire year.

Tretter barely practiced and teammates didn't think he'd be able to drag himself out there in games, but he'd not only go, but he'd play well. Despite playing on effectively one leg, he was a top ten center in the league. It wasn't pretty, but he was part of a unit that kept Baker Mayfield's jersey pretty clean for the last half of the season.

The hope is that he'll be able to play a whole season healthy, because he is an outstanding athlete and can do things like pull, increasing the number of ways the offensive line can block both in run blocking and pass protection.

8. Denzel Ward

Ward had as good as a debut as he could've hoped for, interception a pair of Ben Roethlisberger against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The rest of his year wasn't quite on that level, but he had an excellent rookie campaign. He dealt with some injuries and needs to protect himself by learning how to tackle properly, but he was one of the best man corners in the league.

Entering his second year, Ward hopefully continues to shine in man coverage and improves in zone. He's a valuable corner because he's really well equipped to deal with smaller, shiftier receivers which are increasingly common on the NFL landscape.

As the game gets more spread out and does more to protect players, particularly offensive players, and so many teams have added bigger press corners, smooth, agile receivers have become far more valuable. Antonio Brown, T.Y. Hilton and Ward's new teammate Odell Beckham are a few of them and Ward is the type of corner that can run with them.

7. Sheldon Richardson

Richardson is the least heralded but might be as impactful as any players the Browns have added in this offseason by contrast to what was there previously. The Browns go from Trevon Coley, who was a fringe backup to a starter in Richardson that has the ability to make plays, is a stout run defender and plays a ton of snaps.

Paired with Larry Ogunjobi and flanked by the set of edge players the Browns have, he could be in for an outstanding year in Cleveland. A former top ten pick, Richardson has remarkable talent and at times, has flashed the ability to take over games. He can play up and down a defensive line and should benefit his teammates with what he can do to protect them or create opportunities for them.

6. Joe Schobert

Schobert is one of the best coverage linebackers in the league and while he misses too many tackles, he makes a ton of plays in coverage as well as in the backfield. A massive presence in the defense, the Browns lost the three games Schobert missed with a hamstring.

Schobert has areas to clean up in his game, but that does suggest he has more room to grow. Fully healthy, Schobert played at a high level and was a huge asset in coverage. Healthy again and with the way the Browns have improved, Schobert stands out as a player who could have the best year of his career, which would earn him some post season accolades.

Schobert covers a substantial amount of the field and shrinks the area of responsibility for teammates, which makes them better. His ability to impact plays behind the line of scrimmage and cause turnovers in coverage is ideal for where the NFL has been going as well as what the Browns have built.

5. Joel Bitonio

Bitonio had a terrific season after getting jerked around before the season by now former head coach Hue Jackson on where he was going to play. He's an excellent pass protector but because of Tretter's ankle and Kevin Zeitler's limited movement skills, Bitonio was doing all the meaningful pulling.

Along with Zeitler and Tretter, Bitonio kept Baker Mayfield clean up the middle, which was critical given his stature. They are going to need Bitonio to keep up his level of play this year, wholly focused on left guard again, as the team loses Zeitler, though hopefully gets back a healthier Tretter, so those two can anchor the line unit.

4. Olivier Vernon

It seems like some of the luster has come off of Vernon due to his massive contract, missed time the past two seasons and the fact he's only had one double-digit sack season in 2013, when he had 11.5. Certainly, missing fewer games would be ideal, but when Vernon is on the field, he's a problem for opponents.

Playing against opponents like Tyron Smith, Trent Williams and Jason Peters twice per season, Vernon generated a ton of pressure, impacted the run game and generated sacks. Williams deserves to be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and both Smith and Peters have been among the league's best in various years.

Vernon has immense talent, but his best football could be ahead of him, at least as it pertains to the stat sheet. The situation in Cleveland may provide far more favorable situations to rush the passer because of the talent across the defensive line and allow him to put up some enormous numbers.

3. Baker Mayfield

It seems only a matter of time before Mayfield takes the top spot on this list. For now, he has to settle for being the third best player on the roster as a rookie. That's not supposed to happen and Mayfield has an argument as the second best rookie season for a quarterback in the modern era behind only Russell Wilson.

Beyond his remarkable arm strength and precision as a passer, Mayfield has demonstrated remarkable poise, tremendous pocket awareness and is a gifted playmaker. Headed into year two, Mayfield is looking to cut down on mistakes and missed opportunities while continuing to show the ability to carry the offense.

2. Myles Garrett

Garrett is as talented a player as there is in the NFL. He takes away a side of the field in the running game and is an outstanding pass rusher who is still figuring out just how good he can be.

In his sophomore campaign with the Browns, Garrett recorded 13.5 sacks, half a sack short of the single season franchise record. Entering this year, he's decreed that he's going to 'smash' that mark and there's little reason he won't be able to do that. Garrett has 20 sack potential in him whenever he hits the peak of his powers.

1. Odell Beckham Jr.

Beckham is one of the brightest stars in the NFL and as good as any wide receiver in the league. He may well have both Baker Mayfield and Myles Garrett nipping at his heels and could be supplanted by both before the season is over, but right now, he's the top guy.

While Beckham might get surpassed, he could also have the best seasons of his career paired with Mayfield. So those two may be difficult to separate from that standpoint as Beckham is brilliant, but having Mayfield as opposed to Eli Manning could allow him to reach new heights.

Where would Gerald McCoy rank?

This started as a way to contextualize how good Gerald McCoy would be on this team and based on this list, McCoy would find himself between Bitonio and Schobert. Schobert certainly has the ability to surpass him and McCoy is looking to maintain his excellence as opposed to building up to it.

Nevertheless, that's how good he is. McCoy is coming off of the worst season of his career and it was still better than Richardson and Ogunjobi last year. McCoy has changed his routine to recover his body, adopting a vegan diet this year as well and has more motivation with a new challenge in front of him and excitement to contend as opposed to go through another year of mediocrity. He could have a better year this year for his new team.

The scary prospect for opponents is if the Browns are able to land McCoy, four of their best ten players (at least according to me), would be defensive linemen and could all be on the field at the same time. Combining that with the fact that a quarterback near the top of the list makes the Browns a dangerous team in the next few years, especially with so many under control for the foreseeable future.

Published May 28, 2019

PETE SMITH