PFF: Browns had 4th Most Rookie Snaps

Sober Poet

In 2016, the Cleveland Browns were off-the-charts when it came to the number of snaps taken by rookie players, when they finished 1-15. In 2017, Pro Football Focus has again put together an infographic comparing the amount of rookie snaps for all 32 teams. The Browns had significantly less snaps taken by rookies in 2017 (3,590 snaps) than they did in 2016 (5,521 snaps), but the amount was still good for the fourth most in the NFL.

Here is the full breakdown of rookie snaps for Cleveland in 2017, not including special teams:

Browns’ Rookie Snap Counts in 2017

Pos	Player	# Snaps
QB	DeShone Kizer	887
SS	Jabrill Peppers	809
DL	Myles Garrett	520
TE	David Njoku	501
DL	Larry Ogunjobi	303
DL	Caleb Brantley	218
FS	Kai Nacua	216
LB	B.J. Bello	74
RB	Matthew Dayes	42
FB	Marquez Williams	10
DB	Reggie Porter	1

The PFF figure is off by 9 snaps; we think this might be attributable to DB C.J. Smith, who had 9 snaps but was a rookie back in 2016. Also, remember that special teams snaps were not included, where rookie K Zane Gonzalez was a regular contributor.

One problem with these rookie snaps is that, ideally, you like players to build from one year to the next. That likely won’t be the case for QB DeShone Kizer, who led the Browns with 887 rookie snaps.

Unsympathetic

Did Brantley not have enough season snaps to qualify for getting ranked? Brantley graded out as 73, "average" per PFF. Meder also didn't have a number and was rated 74.8.

Ogunjobi ended up rated as 34th best interior defender at 82.0 - not bad for a 3rd round rookie - He finished the season one notch above Shelton who was 35th at an 81.5 rating.

Coley rated 68.9 and 93rd interior defender, below average.

Ogbah rated 72.6 and 67th edge defender.

Garrett rated 88.4 and 12th edge defender.

Nassib rated 75.7 and 54th edge defender.

Orchard rated 68.9 and 76th edge defender.

The Gipper

The question is: IS all that experience by rookies in 2016 and 2017 going to pay off by these guys becoming quality young veterans in their years 3-4 to the point that this team will contend?

I guess that IS the theory behind doing it this way.

And note: With the #1 and #4 pick....and 3 more 2d rounders...plus 12 total picks.....2018 is going to look the same for the Browns having a lot of playing time by rookies.

Dutch Oven

@the-gipper said:

The question is: IS all that experience by rookies in 2016 and 2017 going to pay off by these guys becoming quality young veterans in their years 3-4 to the point that this team will contend?

I guess that IS the theory behind doing it this way.

And note: With the #1 and #4 pick....and 3 more 2d rounders...plus 12 total picks.....2018 is going to look the same for the Browns having a lot of playing time by rookies.

Here's something else to consider about how this team is constructed: The Browns fantastic cap situation could drastically change when all these young guys hit free agency - and this team is made up in good part by first and second year guys.

Another reason I think the Browns might be better served to consolidate their 12 picks into maybe 8 or 9 by trading up when possible. Quality over quantity