3 Browns Players in Danger of Losing Their Starting Jobs in 2020

The Cleveland Browns had a disappointing 2019 season, failing to meet the high expectations set for them. While there is less pressure in the upcoming season, the Browns are still expected to be competitive, due to the talent they will have on the field.

Positional battles for Cleveland should be competitive, with a solid mix of veteran and youthful talent. These are the three Browns players in danger of losing their starting jobs.

1. Sheldon Richardson, DT

Heading into his eighth NFL season, Sheldon Richardson has had a productive pro career, but he has played on four different teams over the past four seasons. However, he started 15 games for the Browns last season, generating four tackles for a loss and six quarterback hits. As his age continues to show more and more, third-round rookie Jordan Elliott could push Richardson for that spot. Elliott is a slippery, strong and long defensive lineman that has the makings to be a solid starter at this level.

2. David Njoku, TE

The Browns signed tight end Austin Hooper this offseason, but we can assume new head coach Kevin Stefanski runs a lot of two tight end sets, putting David Njoku likely TE2 behind Hooper, currently. Cleveland also drafted tight end Harrison Bryant in the fourth round of the draft, and he could be the versatile player the offense needs at the position. He has experience lining up in the slot and the backfield, as well as in tight, which can be used to give this offense the creativity it needs. Harrison also went for over 1,000 yards in his senior season.

3. Baker Mayfield, QB

Baker Mayfield is 100 percent the Week 1 starter, but he could be at risk of losing his job in the later weeks of 2020, if he is seen as the one person holding this offense back. Mayfield saw a sophomore slump for a number of reasons, having a 59.4 percent completion rate and a 4.1 percent touchdown rate, compared to 3.9 percent interception rate. The Browns brought in veteran quarterback Case Keenum to back Mayfield up, but he is also the kind of veteran the Browns could plug in, should Mayfield continue to slump.

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