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Best 2021 NFL breakout candidate from every team

By Randy Gurzi

ASHBURN, VA - JUNE 02: Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 of the Washington Football Team hands the ball off to Antonio Gibson #24 of the Washington Football Team during the organized team activity at Inova Sports Performance Center on June 2, 2021 in Ashburn, Virginia. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
ASHBURN, VA - JUNE 02: Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 of the Washington Football Team hands the ball off to Antonio Gibson #24 of the Washington Football Team during the organized team activity at Inova Sports Performance Center on June 2, 2021 in Ashburn, Virginia. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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NFL 2021
Oct 25, 2020; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (11) catches the game winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /

Cleveland Browns: Donovan Peoples-Jones, Wide Receiver

Heading into 2021, there’s this strange feeling around the Cleveland Browns — that feeling is the sense that they’re contenders. And it’s not just hopeful fans either, because this team is for real.

After going 11-5 in 2020, general manager Andrew Berry added even more talent and there could be eight new starters on defense this season. That’s huge since their defense was atrocious in 2020 — and the new starters include potential Pro Bowlers such as John Johnson III and Jadeveon Clowney.

On offense, they’re hoping that the team can carry over their success from a year ago with nearly the same team. They will get Odell Beckham, Jr. back from a torn ACL and added rookie Anthony Schwartz in the third round but for the most part, this is the same roster they entered 2020 with on offense.

That doesn’t mean there won’t be improvements though, especially if players such as Donovan Peoples-Jones take a step forward, and there’s reason to believe he could based on what he did as a rookie.

As pointed out by Sam Penix of Dawg Pound Daily, DPJ was the top rookie when it came to yards per receptions, hauling in 14 passes for 304 yards and two touchdowns.

The Cleveland wide receiver room is crowded with OBJ, Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins, and Schwartz but that doesn’t mean Peoples-Jones can’t find a role. He brings something to the table this offense desperately needs, which is the ability to get deep on man coverage.

That limitation cost them their game against Kansas City in the Divisional Round which is why they should give as many opportunities as possible to the players who can stretch the field.

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