Herschel Walker praises Trump's character, defends NFL anthem protest stance
Herschel Walker speaks about his friendship with President Trump and praises his character at the RNC
The Cleveland Browns had high expectations in 2019, but they failed to deliver.
Franchise quarterback Baker Mayfield will enter his third season this year, and he has some of the best weapons in the entire NFL at his disposal, which means the expectations will once again be high for the up and coming Browns.
After a failed 6-10 season, the Browns fired Freddie Kitchens and brought in former Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski as their new head coach. Mayfield should benefit from his new coach, and wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry, running backs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, as well as newly acquired tight end Austin Hooper, should all produce at a high level in what should be one of the best offenses in the league.
Hooper wasn't the Browns' only addition this offseason. They bolstered their offensive line as well.
Cleveland selected Alabama offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr., with their first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. The Browns also signed right tackle Jack Conklin, and with JC Tretter running the show from the center position, the offensive line -- which was a huge liability last season -- will be vastly improved in 2020.
Here's what else you need to know about the Browns this year.
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5 THINGS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED
- CLEVELAND BROWNS' ALL-TIME MOUNT RUSHMORE: 4 BEST PLAYERS IN FRANCHISE HISTORY
- CLEVELAND BROWNS 2020 SCHEDULE: 3 INTRIGUING MATCHUPS
- CLEVELAND BROWNS: EACH NFL DRAFT 2020 SELECTION
- BROWNS SIGN MYLES GARRETT TO 5-YEAR, $125 MILLION EXTENSION
- BROWNS' GRANT DELPIT CARTED OFF PRACTICE FIELD WITH ACHILLES INJURY, POSSIBLY ENDING SEASON
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NEW ADDITION HIGHLIGHT: JEDRICK WILLS JR.
The Browns bolstered their offensive line with Jedrick Willis. (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)
Jedrick Wills Jr. was the seventh offensive lineman drafted under Alabama coach Nick Saban. He was a top-rated offensive lineman in high school and helped Lafayette High School to the 6A state championship game in his senior and junior seasons. He was an All-State selection for the Courier-Journal, as well as the Associated Press, and started receiving top recognition as early as his sophomore season.
Wills finished his collegiate career with 28 straight starts. He was named to the All-SEC First Team by the AP. He also won a national championship with Alabama in 2017.
He is going to be a key piece for Baker Mayfield and Nick Chubb going forward. The Browns' offense was hyped last season only to fall flat with the team missing the playoffs.
The Browns ranked 22nd in points scored and yards gained last season.
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PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense: Baker Mayfield (QB), Nick Chubb (RB), Odell Beckham Jr. (WR), Jarvis Landry (WR), Rashard Higgins (WR), Austin Hooper (TE), Jedrick Wills Jr. (OT), Joel Bitonio (OG), JC Tretter (C), Wyatt Teller (OG), Jack Conklin (OT)
Defense: Myles Garrett (DE), Larry Ogunjobi (DT), Sheldon Richardson (DT), Olivier Vernon (DE), Tae Davis (LB), B.J. Goodson (LB), Sione Takitaki (LB), Denzel Ward (CB), Karl Joseph (S), Andrew Sendejo (S), Greedy Williams (CB)
Special Teams: Austin Seibert (K), Jamie Gillan (P)
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2020 BROWNS SCHEDULE (all times Eastern)
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is shown before an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard, File)
Week 1: @ Ravens (9/13, 1 pm)
Week 2: Bengals (9/17, 8:20 pm)
Week 3: Washington (9/27, 1 pm)
Week 4: @ Cowboys (10/4, 1 pm)
Week 5: Colts (10/11, 4:25 pm)
Week 6: @ Steelers (10/18, 1 pm)
Week 7: @ Bengals (10/25, 1 pm)
Week 8: Raiders (11/1, 1 pm)
Week 9: BYE
Week 10: Texans (11/15, 1 pm)
Week 11: Eagles (11/22, 1 pm)
Week 12: @ Jaguars (11/29, 1 pm)
Week 13: @ Titans (12/6, 1 pm)
Week 14: Ravens (12/14, 8:15 pm)
Week 15: @ Giants (12/20, 1 pm)
Week 16: @ Jets (12/27, TBD)
Week 17: Steelers (1/3, 1 pm)
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ODDS
To win the Super Bowl: +4000
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Odds courtesy of Vegas Insider.