before focusing entirely on the playoffs, let’s take a final look at the regular season by doing some analysis.
Spencer, Offensive Player of the Year German: TE David Njoku
The argument over whether Njoku should have received top five tight end compensation is now moot. In Week 4, this man went out and led the squad in receiving despite having burned his face off. With 81 receptions for 882 yards and six touchdowns (both career highs), he has set career highs. This season, he is in the top eight in yards after reception. Perhaps most importantly of all, he represents the essence of the 2023 Cleveland Browns’ guts and simple “find a way to win” approach. He made his first Pro Bowl, did I mention that? Njoku is now formally here.
A. Poisal: Wide Receiver Amari Cooper
Who would have imagined that Cooper would have the best season of his nine-year career at any point during this season, when the Browns used five different starting quarterbacks? He recorded a career-high amount of receiving yards and connected with all of the Browns’ pass-throwers practically right away. Though in the eyes of other NFL wide outs Cooper may still seem undervalued, in Cleveland, that will never be the case.
Spencer, Defensive Player of the Year German: DE Garrett Myles
We won’t belabor the point here. There isn’t another response. The man is easily the top player in the league and the best player on this club. He has a strong defensive line surrounding him (shoutout to Andrew Berry), which gives us the right perspective on his influence.
Anthony Poisal: Garrett, DE
Regarding this one, not much more needs to be stated. Jim Schwartz and Garrett’s marriage couldn’t have gone any better, and it may result in both men taking home the NFL Honors Assistant Coach of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year trophies, respectively, next month.
Spencer won Rookie of the Year. German: OT Jones Dawand
Although a knee injury ended his debut season approximately five weeks ago, Jones will leave a lasting impact on the 2023 campaign. Despite being a fifth-round pick, he had low expectations, which he promptly surpassed when he made his NFL debut in Week 2 following Jack Conklin’s season-ending injury. This seems like the clear solution.
Anthony Poisal: Extra Time Jones Dawand
It’s still Jones, who stunned everyone by starting games and performing admirably at both tackle spots, despite not having played since Week 13. He answered any questions about his dedication to football that were raised when he was selected, and he is expected to be an important member of Cleveland’s offensive line for the foreseeable future.
LB is the most improved Spencer German. Jeremiah Koramoah Owusu-
Although there were many ups and downs during JOK’s first two seasons, Cleveland was looking for a versatile player, and the Jim Schwartz defense has really unlocked that potential. Cleveland selected JOK in the second round of the 2021 Draft. Week in and week out, he was in the backfield. It’s clear that having so much freedom to think and play has greatly benefited him.
CB M.J. Emerson Jr. is Anthony Poisal.
Many defensive players may be included here, but Emerson deserves to be mentioned as well because he is a valuable player. It is unheard of for a cornerback selected in the third round that he has already accumulated over 25 pass breakups in his two-year career. He did not allow a touchdown during the entire season. In a position where injuries are frequent, the fact that he has never missed a game due to an injury during his career is astounding. It seemed like Emerson made a significant progress this year, and if he does well in the postseason and in 2024, he will gain much more prominence.
Spencer, the unsung hero QB in German Joe Flacco
This seems like the appropriate category for me to recognize Flacco in. Nobody anticipated that the 38-year-old free agent castaway would arrive in Cleveland during Week 12 and offer this team any significant contributions. Nevertheless, after four games in a row with 300 or more throwing yards, Flacco has become a local celebrity. How fascinating he has been. And it hasn’t ended yet.
Anthony Poisal: quarterback Joe Flacco
It’s clear. Never before has a 38-year-old revitalized his career in the NFL the way Flacco has. In just 1.5 months of labor, he has made incalculable contributions to the team, and Cleveland must continue to savor the journey with him while it lasts.
MVP Spencer K Dustin Hopkins in German
Since, what other reason is there? Alright, alright, Garrett truly is the MVP. However, Hopkins deserves some credit because the Browns wouldn’t even be in the running for the postseason without him. This season, Hopkins has won four games (49ers, @ Ravens, Steelers, Bears) by field goals in the last minute or drive of the contest. Without his four field goals, three of which came from beyond fifty yards out, a 39-38 victory over the Colts may have also turned out very differently. Had it not been for a hamstring strain during the last three weeks, he probably would have surpassed Jim Browns for the franchise record for the most points scored in a single season. That is not insignificant.
After more than ten years of searching, the Browns have at last found a kicker. I will not allow that to be minimized.
Anthony Poisal: Garrett, DE
Despite being one of the league’s most frequently double-teamed edge rushers, he manages to go past the quarterback almost every week at crucial junctures. In order for the Browns to succeed in the playoffs, Garrett must continue to be a disruptive player, and defending him for the whole game may have been the most difficult assignment for an offensive coach in the NFL this season.