Big start, Myles Garrett's big year and Cade York's big kick: Browns bold predictions

BEREA — There's nothing like a few bold predictions as the start of a season approaches.

Look around the past month or so, and there's been all sorts of hot takes on what awaits when the Browns get the season started on Sunday at the Carolina Panthers. Some are good, some are bad and some are ugly.

All of them are just guesses, though. Educated guesses in many ways, but guesses nonetheless.

So it's time for a few predictions here as well. Starting with a guess on how everything will get started.

Browns start the season by winning three of their first four games

The first four games of the Browns season were always viewed as an opportunity to start fast. So, even with Jacoby Brissett at quarterback and questions remaining at wide receiver, there's no reason to think that opportunity doesn't still exist. There's still a stout offensive line, a great running back tandem and a defense anchored by one of the premier edge rushers in the NFL on this team. That should be enough to at least allow them to build up some wins before getting into the meat of the schedule.

Myles Garrett puts up an even better year than last season's record-setter

The 2021 season was easily the best in Myles Garrett's still-blossoming career. He set a single-season team record with 16 sacks, and added 17 tackles for loss, 33 quarterback hits and even a fumble return for a touchdown. All of that was nice. However, the bet here is that it was merely a prelude to an even better season for the All-Pro defensive end. Garrett has talked openly about wanting Defensive Player of the Year votes, which he's never received in his career. The season he has this season not only garners him votes, but maybe even the award itself.

Kareem Hunt becomes the Browns' No. 2 option in the passing game

There's been a lot of questions, worthy questions, about who will emerge as the No. 2 option at receiver behind Amari Cooper. That's still a question that is out there. However, who's the No. 2 option for Brissett (and eventually Deshaun Watson) to throw to might actually have a good answer. That would be Kareem Hunt. Yes, a running back is going to be the No. 2 option in the passing game. With Watson out for the first 11 games, that should make the offense very running back-centric with Hunt and Nick Chubb. Hunt's ability to catch the ball will certainly make him a valuable commodity, and a nice safety valve for Brissett. That should open Hunt up to accumulating the kind of stats and trust to make him a go-to guy in the passing game.

Greg Newsome II, Denzel Ward establish themselves as the best cornerback tandem in the NFL

Denzel Ward already has established himself as one of the league's best cornerbacks. What this basically is saying is that Greg Newsome II's second season is going to be his breakthrough season. The former first-round pick showed signs of his potential as a rookie. Now, after recovering from a training camp injury, the bet is on him to really take off with a year under his belt. Considering the passing games the Browns will face this season, that emergence can't come soon enough.

Cade York hits a 50-plus-yard game-winning field goal

It wouldn't be a Browns season preview without some reference to the fourth-round kicker out of LSU. This is, after all, why Cade York was taken.

All the impressive kicks in training camp, warmups or preseason games have established a mythology already about York. The first time he hits a game-winner, especially one from a more than 50 yards, they may just send the tailor out to start measuring him for a Gold Jacket.

The bet here is that, at least once this season, that's exactly what York does.

Contact Chris at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com.

On Twitter: @ceasterlingABJ

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Browns fast start, Myles Garrett's big year among bold predictions