Ebony Bird
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Ravens vs. Browns: The team with the edge at each position

By Chris Schisler

CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 22: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens shakes hands with Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns after the game at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. Baltimore defeated Cleveland 31-15. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 22: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens shakes hands with Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns after the game at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. Baltimore defeated Cleveland 31-15. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OHIO – DECEMBER 08: Wide receiver Odell Beckham #13 of the Cleveland Browns runs down field during the second half against the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Bengals 27-19. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO – DECEMBER 08: Wide receiver Odell Beckham #13 of the Cleveland Browns runs down field during the second half against the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Bengals 27-19. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Receivers, tight ends and offensive line

Wide Receiver: Browns

The Ravens have an unproven group of receivers. The Browns have Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry. That’s a level of star power that Baltimore just doesn’t have at this position. Marquise Brown is good and he’s probably heading towards a huge season. Miles Boykin is a breakout player candidate and Devin Duvernay may turn heads as a rookie.

This one is fairly simple though, on this the Browns get the edge. The trio of Beckham Jr., Landry and Rashard Higgins is more proven than the combination of Brown, Boykin and Willie Snead. The Browns have heavily invested in the wide receiver position. The Browns are getting the production they are paying for here.

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Tight End: Ravens

Austin Hooper is a solid football player yet Mark Andrews is an elite tight end. Andrews caught 10 touchdown passes last year. He’s on fairly level footing with players like Travis Kelce and George Kittle. Hooper is the start of the really good tier while Andrews has two feet in on the elite tier. Harrison Bryant is an intriguing rookie and David Njoku is way better than your typical third tight end. The Browns won’t get outmatched at tight end much but give me Andrews and Nick Boyle as the victors here. The Ravens have the biggest star and Boyle is one of the best blocking tight ends in the league.

Offensive Line: Ravens

The Ravens have the best offensive tackle situation, not just between these two teams but in the NFL. Ronnie Stanley is great and Orlando Brown Jr. is very good, possibly on the verge of becoming great. The Ravens return the same offensive line from a year ago with the exception of Marshal Yanda. Whether the Ravens ultimately replace Yanda with D.J. Fluker or Tyre Phillips, the right guard spot shouldn’t become a weakness. They won’t be as good as Yanda, but you can fall under that standard and still be very good. The Ravens offensive line is expecting to have a strong season.

The offensive line for the Browns is the biggest area of concern for their offense. They have star power on the offense and Mayfield should at the very least be prolific. The doubt really comes in at the offensive tackle position. Jedrick Willis may become a tackle worthy of his top early 2020 draft selection yet he’s a rookie at left tackle. Jack Conklin is a solid, not but far from great offensive tackle. At best, the Browns offensive line is adequate. At worst, it’s a weak spot of the roster. Joel Bitonio is a decent guard, there is some talent here, it just doe not look like an overpowered offensive line unit.

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