Browns preseason Awards for the 2015 Draft Class
Which Cleveland Browns from last years draft class are poised to stand out in 2016? Here is a look at some preseason predictions for the 2015 draft class.
The 2015 draft class for the Cleveland Browns had plenty of players see some on field action last year, but not one of them was able to establish themselves as a future star in the NFL. Now that the class of 2015 has a year under their belt, we make some preseason predictions for the 2016 season.
Needs most improvement: Danny Shelton
This one is less of a prediction and more of a warning for Danny Shelton, it’s reality check time. Many people are probably thinking that this should go to Cameron Erving, but as much as Erving has been criticized for his 2015 season, Shelton did not do much better. Shelton had some moments, but they were not consistent enough when talking about a top fifteen pick. Shelton was supposed to help the Browns fix the run defense, but teams still ran through the defense with far too much ease. Shelton will have to step up to the plate in 2015 and be the dominate run stopper he was drafted to be to justify his high draft selection. I think Shelton will be up to the challenge this season, partly due to Shelton growing as a player and the other part having to do with the solid run defenders brought in to play behind him like Demario Davis and rookie Scooby Wright III.
Breakout star for the offense: Duke Johnson
Watching the Cleveland Browns last season was incredibly frustrating for so many reasons. One of those reasons was the complete misuse of the explosiveness that Duke Johnson brings to the table. Johnson is a weapon not only on running downs, but he also has the ability to contribute as a receiver as well. Whenever it appeared that Johnson was about to go off the Browns always seemed to pull him from the game. Coach Hue Jackson should bring some more stability to Johnson and the running game as a whole. From an outsiders perspective on what occurred during OTA’s, the Browns could be looking to run a fast pace spread it out type offense, which would bode very well for Johnson. Johnson has all the tools to be the go to back in this offense with similar traits to Jamaal Charles and LeSean McCoy.
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Break out star for the Defense: Ibraheim Campbell
Last season Campbell was given an opportunity to start when Donte Whitner went down with an injury. During the small sample size we saw from Campbell, many would argue that the drop off from Whitner to Campbell was not only nonexistent but that the rookie outplayed Whitner when given the opportunity. Campbell showed flashes of being the heavy hitter we all thought we were getting with Whitner. Campbell could help stabilize a secondary that has a lot of questions after losing both safeties this offseason. I expect Campbell to emerge as one of the top hitters on this Browns team in route to becoming one of the young leaders with his play rather than his mouth. If the secondary finds any kind of success in 2016 you can bet that Campbell had a hand in it.
Most likely to bust: Cameron Erving
Joe Thomas went out of his way to heap praise on Cameron Erving when he was asked about OTA’s. Thomas stated that Erving had really “stepped up” during the training activities. Unfortunately for Erving, he will not get the benefit of the doubt from anyone until he can actually prove it on Sundays. Last season when Erving made four starts at guard he was absolutely dreadful. I understand that guard is not Erving’s natural position and he deserves a chance at center before we rush to judgement, but what I and likely everyone who watched Erving play last year saw was a lineman who just got overmatched regardless of position. Erving will get a shot with this new regime to prove that he can be a solid starting center in this league, but don’t be shocked if Mike Matthews starts getting some starts later in the season.
Biggest Sleeper: Randall Telfair
We did not see a lot of Randall Telfair last season, but that can all change in 2016. It was reported that Gary Barnidge underwent sports hernia surgery today and he is expected to be back before the start of training camp. That is great news for the Browns, but should any set back occur Telfair will likely be the next man up. Known as a blocking tight end at USC, Telfair would basically be a sixth lineman when he is on the field. Though Telfair is not known to be the best pass catcher, he brings the hurt to would be tacklers when he does get a chance to get his hands on the ball. Telfair will benefit from Jim Dray not returning to the team this year and the lack of overall depth at the tight end position. Seth DeValve will likely be an extra tight end on passing downs, but Telfair will be a bull on running plays. Expect to see a lot more of Telfair this year making his biggest impact clearing lanes for Crowell and Johnson.
Most improved: Nate Orchard
Orchard started to put it all together at the end of last season. In his last four games, Orchard had three sacks and an interception. Orchard showed a lot of growth and improvement through last season and he will be poised to make even bigger strides under the guidance of Ray Horton. Orchard should be able to get to the quarterback with much more regularity with the different looks Horton will be providing. I can see Orchard developing into the kind of player Jabaal Sheard was for the Browns when Horton was the defensive coordinator in Cleveland back in 2013. Orchard definitely has the capability to be a double digit sacks guy for the Browns.
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