Way Too Early Award Predictions for the Cleveland Browns

It's time for some year-end awards for the Cleveland Browns.

Really? Yes, really. And no, it's not some horrible dig on how the Browns' season is over before it even started—it's more about making a few predictions about standout players for Cleveland this year.

It's about identifying expectations for certain players on the team. And it's about giving credit where no credit is yet due, because awards, given for whatever reason, are always a good time.

Offensive MVP: Running Back Trent Richardson

There are too many unknowns related to the Browns' quarterback situation at the moment. Even if we did know without question that Brandon Weeden owns the starting job, he's a rookie who will be learning on the job, which means any and every outcome is possible.

With Trent Richardson, more is certain, though he's also a rookie. As the third-overall draft pick this year, it's clear the Browns will rely heavily on the running back to help their offense through this (assumed) time of transition. 

Luckily, Richardson should be up for the job. In his final year at Alabama, Richardson rushed and received his way to 24 total touchdowns—four more than the Browns had in the entire 2011 season.

Though it's quite a stretch to say that Richardson will double the Browns' offensive output this year, he's certainly going to make the most remarkable impact on that side of the ball of any player on the roster.

Just by being drafted, Richardson has already become Cleveland's most valuable player. Once he finally takes the field, he will easily prove why that is so.

Defensive MVP: Linebacker D'Qwell Jackson

It was hard for me to pick a Defensive MVP for the Browns here; I was waffling back and forth between D'Qwell Jackson and defensive end Jabaal Sheard before finally settling on Jackson. There's a few reasons I went with Jackson here.

First is that he led the Browns in tackles in 2011, with a whopping 116—twice as many as the second-best Browns tackler, Ahtyba Rubin.

Second is that this year, the Browns will be without defensive tackle Phil Taylor for at least part of the season, meaning the rest of Cleveland's defensive line and linebacking corps will have to take over his run-stopping abilities.

Third, Jackson has those run-stopping skills and would certainly relish far more defensive responsibilities—and should shine even brighter as a result.

Rookie of the Year: Running Back Trent Richardson

For the exact same reasons that Trent Richardson would be the Browns' Offensive MVP, he also nets the team's Rookie of the Year award. No, the team's entire offensive production and every single touchdown won't belong to Richardson alone, but the things he offers the team were things they lacked and sorely needed.

Richardson won't just be an effective running back—he'll also be a reliable receiving target and will contribute to pass protection. The Browns are a far better team with him on the roster, and if the rookie is going to be named the team's Most Valuable offensive player, then of course he must also be their Rookie of the Year, too.

Most Improved Player: Wide Receiver Greg Little

Greg Little had a lot going against him in his rookie season last year. He didn't play college ball in 2010 thanks to an NCAA suspension, and then he had to pick up the Browns' West Coast offense during a lockout year.

That combination of coming in cold and rusty and being thrust into the starting receiver job didn't do him many favors. He came in second in passes dropped by a receiver, though he did manage to rack up an impressive yardage total (709) despite having just two touchdowns.

It didn't help that he had two quarterbacks, Colt McCoy and Seneca Wallace, throwing to him last year—his chances to build chemistry and continuity were severely hampered.

This year, he should bounce back.

I'm not necessarily predicting Little will have over 1,000 receiving yards with Brandon Weeden throwing him the ball, but I think his issue with drops will be ironed out now that he has a better mastery of the playbook and can focus on simply catching the ball. He should add more touchdowns to his total with the stronger-armed Weeden targeting him.

Follow @FBALL_Andrea