David Njoku had a great year. So where does he land in our 2023 Browns player rankings? (Cleveland Browns)
My top 40 Browns player rankings of the 2023 season
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
My annual Browns player rankings are never scientific. I don’t review hours of film. I don’t subscribe to analytics sites to determine who is good and who is not. I wouldn’t know QBR from EPA. Is EPA a metric? I don’t even know.
I consider metrics like “pass rush win rate” the equivalent of warning track power in MLB. Almost sacks, in my opinion, are similar to almost home runs. Sometimes they’re good enough, like sacrifice flies or doubles off the wall. Other times not.
My rankings are based on observations of every game and almost every practice since July 22 at The Greenbrier Resort in almost Heaven, West Virginia.
I watch and I ask questions and I listen. It’s what I’ve done for 39 years covering the NFL.
My rankings are my rankings. You have yours. Mine are based on production v. playing time and opportunity. It's not easy. There was one player I shuffled five times. In the end, I gave him the benefit of doubt.
I stopped my rankings at 40 players.
It pains me not to include Nick Chubb. He played only five quarters of football plus two plays. I contend his impact transcended his 32 touches of the ball. But it would be unfair to the other unranked players whose seasons were shortened by injury to include Chubb in the rankings. Otherwise, I would still put him in the top five. That’s how much Chubb means to the Browns.
My comments below the rankings are attempts to put in perspective the player’s season. That explains why a high-ranking player might have a somewhat negative comment.
1. Myles Garrett, defensive end
The one Browns player teams scheme against. That blocked field goal in Indianapolis was seen ‘round the league, but another quiet finish – plus team-high 13 penalties – may cost him DPOY.
2. Amari Cooper, wide receiver
Had 100+ -yard receiving games with three different quarterbacks. First Browns player in history with consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons.
3. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, linebacker
Capped a breakout year by actually showing up in wild-card game and balling. A missile.
4. David Njoku, tight end
Career highs in targets (123), receptions (81), yards (882), touchdowns (6), and team love.
5. Denzel Ward, cornerback
Elite player who had an excellent year, but snaps dropped to career-low 622 because of injuries.
6. Za’Darius Smith, defensive end
Was much closer to Garrett in pressures (29 to 37) than in sacks (5.5 to 14).
7. Martin Emerson, cornerback
Led team with 4 interceptions, DBs with 863 snaps, and held targeted receivers to 46.8 percent completions and no TDs. Now, about those 10 penalties.
8. Joel Bitonio, left guard
Team warrior who logged 1,000+ snaps despite numerous injuries that frustrated and limited him.
9. Dalvin Tomlinson, defensive tackle
Second among DLs with 656 snaps, first among tackles with 3 sacks. Better than his numbers.
10. Anthony Walker, linebacker
Second among LBs in passes defensed; added 3 fumbles forced/recovered. His leadership is immeasurable.
11. Grant Delpit, safety
Groin injury robbed him of 4 games and first playoff appearance.
12. Wyatt Teller, right guard
Pancake road-grader led team with 1,187 snaps – most of which were played at a high level.
13. Jerome Ford, running back
Nine TDs rushing and receiving plus 100-yard games against Baltimore and Pittsburgh. His patience is often confused with timidity.
14. Joe Flacco, quarterback
Pick 6’s aside, his cannon arm raised the offense to a different level.
15. Ethan Pocic, center
Dependable, understated anchor of the O-line. One snap shy of 1,000 on offense.
16. Elijah Moore, wide receiver
Better production than in Jets’ days, but not quite as advertised.
17. Greg Newsome, cornerback
Frequently targeted, his 14 pass breakups matched Emerson. His Pick 6 in Baltimore was one of biggest plays of the year.
18. Deshaun Watson, quarterback
Epic second half in Baltimore showed he still has game; 4-1 in full games. Now he has to stay on the field.
19. Dustin Hopkins, kicker
Four game-winning kicks in the last minute and 8 of 8 from 50 yards. Would have shattered team scoring record if not for hamstring injury.
20. Sione Takitaki, linebacker
Responded from December, 2022, knee surgery with best year in 5 seasons.
21. Ogbo Okoronkwo, defensive end
Exactly the player they sought as a third edge rusher.
22. Dawand Jones, right tackle
Immoveable pass protector who survived -- then benefitted from -- Bill Callahan’s tough coaching.
23. Shelby Harris, defensive tackle
Led all D-linemen with 4 passes deflected and added a blocked field goal.
24. Corey Bojorquez, punter
Eighth in NFL in gross average (49.4), 11th in net (42.5) and fifth in punts inside the 20 (31).
25. Kareem Hunt, running back
Transitioned from third-down back to short-yardage specialist and led team with 9 rushing TDs.
26. Geron Christian, left tackle
Saved crucial position when Jedrick Wills went down with knee injury.
28. James Hudson, right tackle
Held it together after Dawand Jones’ knee injury.
29. Alex Wright, defensive end
Had a sack in each of last 4 regular-season games -- career-high 5 overall.
30. Juan Thornhill, safety
Said he came back too soon from calf strain and was never the same. Agreed.
31. Jordan Elliott, defensive tackle
Fewer snaps made for more productive play.
31. Tony Fields, linebacker
Special team core player recovered Garrett strip sack in end zone for TD v. Colts.
32. Jedrick Wills, left tackle
His run-blocking was missed after knee injury in November.
33. D’Anthony Bell, safety
The ball finds him – 2 interceptions in six games at safety.
34. Ronnie Hickman, safety
Undrafted rookie came on strong when needed; had Pick 6 v. Jets.
35. Rodney McLeod, safety
Had big game in win over 49ers filling in for Grant Delpit.
36. Maurice Hurst, defensive tackle
His tip-and-interception dropping into coverage v. Geno Smith was among the plays of the year.
37. Nick Harris, center/fullback
Two starts at center and numerous lead blocks as a short-yardage fullback.
38. Matthew Adams, linebacker
Led with 435 snaps on special teams, 10 tackles and 1 forced fumble.
39. Mike Ford, cornerback
Second with 9 tackles on special teams and added first career interception as backup nickel back.
40. David Bell, wide receiver
Had game-crushing 41-yard TD v. Jaguars, and added two more TDs in Cincinnati.
