On Wednesday, the Cleveland Browns will officially unveil the new uniforms they'll be wearing starting in the 2020 season.
And while the expected return to the team's more classic look will likely lead to a surge in jersey sales, the reality remains that purchasing such apparel is often a risky proposition.
With adult jerseys often costing $100 -- and in some cases, more -- it's easy to understand fans wanting to get the most bang for their buck. And between trades, releases and declines in production, that isn't always the easiest thing to do -- especially in Cleveland, where specific players' jerseys have notoriously had short shelf lives.
Nevertheless, that won't stop fans from buying the new Browns jersey -- nor should it, with 100 percent of proceeds currently going toward the team's Hats off to Our Heroes Fund, which provides coronavirus (COVID-19) relief. With that in mind, let's rank the players whose jerseys are the safest to buy in from least safe to most, while also taking into account the player's popularity and performance.
Honorable mentions:
- Joel Bitonio
- Greedy Williams
- J.C. Tretter
- Larry Ogunjobi
- Sheldon Richardson
- TBD (2020 first-round pick)
10. Jamie Gillan
Punters aren't always popular, but they can be reliable. And between his promising rookie season and cult following, Jamie "The Scottish Hammer" Gillan may be one of the better bets for long-term use.
9. Mack Wilson
The Browns didn't get much out of their 2019 rookie class, but fifth-round pick Mack Wilson enough promise that he's entering 2020 poised to be a starter. Linebackers are often popular in Cleveland and Wilson is currently the only starter locked in under a long-term contract.
8. Jack Conklin
There aren't many cities where offensive linemen make for trendy jersey purchases, but Cleveland happens to be one of them. One of the Browns' most-prized free-agent signings, Jack Conklin figures to be an anchor of Cleveland's offensive line for at least the next three seasons -- and perhaps even longer.
7. Odell Beckham Jr.
Odell Beckham Jr figures to be one of -- if not the most -- popular jersey purchases, but he remains a high risk, high reward option. On the one hand, he's not only one of the most talented, but also one of the most popular players in football. On the other, he didn't make it through his first season in Cleveland without trade rumors popping up, creating an uneasy feeling about his long-term fit with the franchise.
6. Denzel Ward
That Denzel Ward isn't higher on this list speaks to the talent currently present on the Browns' roster. The only thing preventing the Nordonia and Ohio State product from being higher is the injuries he's battled over the course of his first two NFL seasons.
5. Jarvis Landry
Jarvis Landry isn't as flashy as Beckham, at least as far as 2019 was concerned, he was more productive and more popular. It remains to be seen how new general manager Andrew Berry will handle having two highly paid wide receivers on his roster moving forward, but in the short term, the wideout who hasn't had trade rumors attached to his name since coming to Cleveland seems like the safer bet.
4. Nick Chubb
In the short-term, Nick Chubb is arguably the best jersey purchase a Browns fan could make. Long-term, however, there are questions as to whether or not an analytics-based front office will pay a Pro Bowl running back the kind of money he'll likely be seeking.
A second-round pick in 2018, Chubb is currently slated to become a free agent following the 2021 season. So at the very least, his jersey figures to be a wise investment for the next two years.
3. Austin Hooper
It didn't take long for the Browns to make a splash in free agency, making Austin Hooper the highest-paid tight end in football with a four-year contract. Assuming the 2-time Pro Bowl selection remains as productive in Cleveland as he was in Atlanta, his Browns jersey should be a popular one for years to come.
2. Baker Mayfield
Purchasing Baker Mayfield's jersey may not seem like as strong of an investment as it was a year ago, but the reality remains the Browns still view him as their franchise quarterback. That may change if his 2019 struggles carry over into 2020, but it's clear that Cleveland wants to give Mayfield every opportunity he can to succeed.
1. Myles Garrett
Officially, Myles Garrett is slated to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2021 season, but it seems like a matter of not "if" but "when" he'll be signing a long-term extension. When he does, the Browns will have locked in their most talented player for the long haul, making him the most obvious choice to be a relevant jersey purchase for years to come.