CLEVELAND, OHIO (TheOBR.com) - Good morning, Cleveland Browns fans! Sorry that the Daily Bloviation is late today, but this was one of those days when the remaining elements of my brain (such as it is) were slow to ignite, even after the second cup of coffee. However, I have a genetic predisposition to bloviate or smoke out of my ears later in the day. So here we go!
THE DAILY BLOVIATION
DUELING ROOKIE HONORS?: We all get the sense that the Browns' 2025 rookie class is pretty darn good. With the exception of Shedeur Sanders, who hasn't gotten an opportunity to grab the spotlight (yet), the rookie class are all contributing, as the team has deployed over a dozen rookies and UDFAs through their seven games so far this season.
Some of them stand out (e.g., Harold Fannin and Mason Graham) but play positions that typically aren't the most attention-getting from those who vote on such things. But two that play higher-visibility positions, RB Quinshon Judkins and LB Carson Schwesinger, are both getting rookie of the year buzz.
Despite missing his first game, Judkins leads all rookies in yards, touchdowns, and rushing first downs. While Judkins was held in check by the Dolphins for the most part, he broke a 46-yard touchdown run that plays well on highlight reels. Judkins was also deployed in the wildcat in goal-line situations, giving him a chance to make two more touchdowns.
Judkins' most significant competition is probably Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart, who plays the game's glamour position and is off to a better-than-expected start. WR Emeka Egbuka and TE Tyler Warren are also in the mix. If the Browns can prevent teams from stacking the box by demonstrating some downfield capability, Judkins stands a chance. At this point, the Browns' opponents start their game planning with the phrase "Stop Judkins". As long as that's the case, the running back will be challenged to snag that award, but he's playing himself into consideration.
On the opposite side of the ball, LB Carson Schwesinger is standing out as both a tackle machine and as the rare rookie player to wear the green dot. Schwesinger is hovering just outside the top ten with 59 tackles (leading the Browns) and has just one sack, but he flashes on tape and is a capable center of the one of the league's best defenses.
Carson Schwesinger
Carson Schwesinger (Photo: Getty)
Another linebacker, Jihaad Campbell, and edge Abdul Carter are considered Schwesinger's closest rivals in the defensive rookie of the year race.
It's pretty mind-boggling that GM Andrew Berry, whose draft selections have received criticism from many corners over the years, may be in a position to have picked two Rookie of the Year candidates at the top of the second round. If the players stay uninjured and get some help from their teammates, it could be a notable achievement.
MAYE BE DUE FOR A LETDOWN?: If there's one thing I know about rookies, other than the basics like they're first-year players, it's that they tend to be inconsistent from game-to-game, quarter-to-quarter and sometimes even play-to-play.
That's the one hope I have for the Browns as they prepare to face Drake Maye, who may be filling some extremely large shoes as the Next Big Thing at the quarterback position for the New England Patriots. While no one puts Maye in Brady's class at this point, the young man did break Brady's record for single-game completion percentage against the Titans last week, going 21-of-23 for two touchdowns and 222 yards, or roughly doubling Dillon Gabriel's output, if you want to look at it that way.
This was not a fluke. Maye has had six consecutive games with a passer rating over 100 and over 200 yards. Pretty damn solid. In fact, this puts. him on a very small list of players under 24 to accomplish that feat alongside Dan Marino and Patrick Mahomes.
This is who the Browns are facing this Sunday. Yikes.
It's all clicking for Maye right now. The play-action is working for him, and he is among the top QBs in EPA when he rolls out. The combination of the two keeps defenses guessing and safeties alert.
But I think his strongest asset mirrors Gabriel's biggest challenge: the dependability of his wide receivers, particularly Stefon Diggs at 88% (39/44) and Kayshoun Boutte at 80% (20/25). Part of this is Maye's accuracy, but it's also a sign that his receivers are getting open and holding onto the ball when it's delivered. Gabriel has an entirely different set of circumstances with his receiving corps to date.
Looking at the Patriots' offense, I'm putting all my eggs in the "he's due to regress to the mean" basket for Maye and hoping the Browns' fierce pass rush and solid secondary play (particularly with the addition of Tyson Campbell) stall his dominance for Sunday's game.
It's not much, but I'm going to hold onto it like a bulldog until/unless reality forces me to let it go.
Have a good one! GO BROWNS!
Newswire Bloviation Archive
CLEVELAND BROWNS GOODIES
BROWNS VIDEOS
Gang of Three: Browns Dominate Hapless Dolphins - (youtube.com)
Browns 3D- The Aftermath-Browns dismantle Dolphins, are WE BACK? - (youtube.com)
ONE-Minute Post-Game Check-In - (youtube.com)
BROWNS ARTICLES
Cleveland Browns Stock Up/Down: Miami Dolphins - Jack
Cleveland Browns News and Rumors 10/20: An Unexpected Respite - Barry
Week 8 College Quarterback Review - Joe
BROWNS MESSAGE BOARD POSTS
ASK THE INSIDERS (VIP)
Buyers or sellers or both?
THE WATERCOOLER
Mac for Mutts Ravens Tailgate menu 1116
Tyler Lockett being released.
Rookie LB Carson
It has been a good weekend - Browns win - Balt, Pitt. Jax loses!
One Word Monday
Belated One Word Monday! (Victory Edition)
WELCOME BACK!!!
Boston Game
Vintage BROWNS book
The Big Stat Thread: Defense Edition
The Big Stat Thread: RB Edition
THE LIFT
Positive news from the world of sports and beyond...
Why 2025 is the single most pivotal year in our lifetime - (bigthink.com)
I found this video somehow reassuring. Futurist Peter Leyden talks about key junctures in American history where there were high political tensions as technological and economic change gripped the country. In each case, America survived, and people's well-being was improved. He points to three technologies: AI, bio-engineering, and clean energy, as creating another upheaval, which he believes occurs in 80-year cycles. While Leyden probably oversimplifies in some ways, it's encouraging to me that we've been in these positions before and the entire world didn't come crashing down.
WRAPPING UP
When not hoping Stefan Diggs stubs his toe on Saturday evening, Barry McBride is the Publisher and Founder of the OBR and bloviates this nonsense every morning. You can follow him on Twitter @barrymcbride or write him at barry@theobr.com if you are so compelled.
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