Former ClevelandBrowns.com writer and current SportsTime Ohio analyst Zac Jackson wrote an article talking about the five most important players on the Cleveland Browns for the 2011 season. Jackson notes that his article does not mean these are the best five players on the team. Instead, think of it as being, "these guys are not guaranteed to be good, but the Browns could really benefit from their success."
Jackson's Top 5 Most Important Players
- QB Colt McCoy
- RB Peyton Hillis
- CB Sheldon Brown
- WR Mohamed Massaquoi
- LB D'Qwell Jackson
Read Jackson's post for his full reasoning on listing each player. I understand why McCoy is at the top of the list because we passed on so many quarterbacks this draft and are giving the youngster a fair chance at being "the" guy. I don't think Hillis is fit for the list though, considering a guy like Montario Hardesty will be available to help share the load. I would probably rank DQ higher -- either second or third -- on the list. Based on how the draft went down, we are putting a lot of faith in a line that should consist of Scott Fujita, Chris Gocong, and Jackson. That line isn't dominant to begin with, and if Jackson falters, the unit will really be in trouble.