Cleveland Browns fans were blindsided on Wednesday when Cleveland announced that quarterback Deshaun Watson would undergo season-ending shoulder surgery to repair a broken bone in his throwing shoulder. After this announcement ESPN’s FPI updated the team’s playoff chances after the Baltimore win Cleveland had a 78.3 percent chance which has now dropped to a 63 percent chance to make the playoff without Watson.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski would later announce that the team would be turning to rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson this week against the Steelers. To me this move makes the most sense, we have seen what they get from P.J. Walker, and it just isn’t enough. DTR had a horrible first start but has a higher ceiling than what the team gets with Walker.
The preseason doesn’t mean much but DTR showed some upside and with more time to develop he should be much improved over the first time with him. This team is still incredibly talented, especially on the defensive side and the season is far from over.
Kevin Stefanski has shown that he knows how to get the best out of average quarterbacks and DTR has the traits to be at least average. The team will still look to add another at the position and I would argue a veteran would be the best way to go. Either way, this team has embraced the next man-up mentality all season and there’s no reason to stop now.
