3 Browns Players Who Will Be Rookie of the Year Candidates in 2020

The Cleveland Browns made seven picks in the 2020 NFL Draft, and every one of them either filled a position of need or represented amazing value, given where they were selected. Several rookies have paths to instant playing time under new head coach Kevin Stefanski, giving each of these three first-year Browns legitimate shots at ending their first campaign in the pros with some Rookie of the Year honors.

3. LB Jacob Phillips

Phillips was not as highly regarded a prospect as fellow LSU linebacker Patrick Queen, who was picked in the first round by the Baltimore Ravens, due to his lack of tremendous speed and athleticism. However, it was Phillips who led the team in tackles with 113 due to his tremendous instincts and vice grip as a tackler. Expect him to take a starting linebacking spot and instantly produce in the heart of the Browns defense.

2. S Grant Delpit

Delpit was named the Jim Thorpe Award winner as the best defensive back in the country, but slid to the second round due to concerns about his injury history and his poor tackling. Having said that, if you wanted a rangy safety to play center field and pick off passes, there is no one better than Delpit in this class. Delpit should be expected to rack up the turnovers as a rookie, which should put him at the forefront of the Defensive Rookie of the Year conversation.

1. OT Jedrick Wills

Wills was Tua Tagovailoa's blindside protector at Alabama, but he will make the switch to left tackle in the NFL due to the presence of Jack Conklin. Wills only gave up one sack in his entire college career, and his sweet footwork should help the transition be relatively smooth and painless. The success of Quenton Nelson (October 2018's Rookie of the Month) proves that offensive linemen can win rookie accolades if they dominate enough, and Wills might be the most pro-ready of any of the four top linemen in the 2020 Draft.