Dark Horse Difference-Maker Candidates For the Cleveland Browns
Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
As more and more veterans show up to OTAs for the Cleveland Browns, we are getting more and more clips and comments from the beat reporters on how the team looks. Anyone who remembers hearing how good Baker Mayfield and Austin Hooper looked in camp a few years back should maybe take that with a grain of salt. Still, it’s fun to read about as fans are looking for reasons to buy into next season.
As we head into this season a ton of eyes will be on Deshaun Watson, Jerry Jeudy, Amari Cooper, Myles Garrett, Denzel Ward, and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, but nearly every team in every season sees unexpected names stepping up. Who are those players on the 2024 Browns? Let’s look at some dark-horse candidates to make a name for themselves and propel Cleveland back to the playoffs.
A Boost Up Front
It’s tough to say Dawand Jones will be a surprise to play well in 2024. He played a limited number of snaps after injuries forced him on the field, but that performance left fans excited for what he could do in the future. Still, no one’s seen a ton of tape on the 6-foot-8 tackle from Ohio State.
With both Jack Conklin and Jedrick Wills each having extensive injury histories, Jones could have an opportunity to start a lot of games at both left and right tackle. As a massive human with elite athleticism, he has all the tools to seize on an opportunity and not give his spot up.
Jones isn’t the only Brown with difference-making potential on the offensive line. Rookie Zak Zinter from Michigan (No. 85 overall) also has a chance to make a difference. He won’t be the day-one starter, but all three starters on the interior offensive line missed a decent amount of game time last year because of injuries.
Zinter combines his 6-foot-6 frame with an air of toughness about him that should endear him to fans from the jump. Had he not broken his tibia and fibula at the end of his senior season, he had a legitimate shot he would have gone in the first of the draft. Instead, he fell to the Browns in Round 3. At some point in 2024, he’ll get his shot, and once he does, it will be tough to pull off the field after that.
The Kids In the Hall Jr.
Let’s go to the other side of the ball for another young player that could have a major impact for Cleveland: Rookie Mike Hall Jr. At No. 52 overall in the second round of the 2024 Draft, Hall Jr. was yet another savvy pick by Andrew Berry. The defensive tackle’s skillset will allow him to be on the field early and often. Hall must work on his leverage to be a running down player, but his motor and pass-rushing ability will make this defensive line a nightmare on third and long.
Hall was known for taking plays off while at Ohio State, but as a rookie, he will be on the field far less, he should be eager to display much more consistency. Dalvin Tomlinson and Shelby Harris might be the starting defensive tackles in the beginning of the season, but a hungry Hall Jr. will see the field plenty have every chance to make a name for himself early.
A Fresh Start
Despite being an offseason acquisition by Berry, it seems no one is talking about Nyheim Hines as a running back option. They should be. Yes, he is coming off a pretty serious knee injury, but if he can get even close to fully healthy, he will be a major factor out of the backfield.
Browns fans came to love Kareem Hunt as Cleveland’s third-down back, but Hines brings a much greater threat as a receiver than Hunt ever was capable of. Remember, Hines had a four-year stretch with the Indianapolis Colts where he had more than 300 yards receiving, which included two 400-yard seasons.
His time with the Buffalo Bills was a disappointment for Hines, as he missed all of 2023 with the injury. Still, given what this offense wants to do, Hines could be in line for a phenomenal year with 400-plus receiving yards and a handful of touchdowns.
Another classic Berry signing was Devin Bush, a former first-round pick, to beef up the linebacker position. The Browns have experience with Owusu-Koramoah and Jordan Hicks, but after losing Anthony Walker and Sione Takitaki, there is more than enough playing time for Bush to make an impact.
Bush started out his career with a bang in Pittsburgh with a tremendous rookie season. After his rookie contract expired, he signed his first real deal with Seattle, where he struggled to stay on the field and had a very down season.
Bush is capable of being on the field all three downs but is an inside 3-4 linebacker at heart. Bush’s likely role is stepping in as an elite run defender for this defense that cedes his spot in passing situations for guys like Ronnie Hickman, who has earned the ability to see some playing time in 2024.
Both guys above have proven they can be strong players but have fallen off production in the last couple of years. In the right situation, they can both take a good team to the next level.
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