Browns: Preseason Week 1 Recap
The Browns cruised to a 30-10 victory in Carolina thanks to Shedeur Sanders
The Cleveland Browns won their first of three preseason matchups on Friday night. I’m going to go position by position below and give some thoughts as to how this might affect the roster going forward. Before that, here are snap counts and a comparison of first and second string playing time between the teams.
As you can see above, the Browns were conservative with their starters, especially on the offensive side of the ball, where only one presumed starter (Jamari Thrash) took the field. Carolina took the more aggressive playing time approach, playing the majority of their starters for a pair of drives on offense and defense.
Before the game, the Browns released a list players who were not expected to play. That list featured a handful of injured players and was otherwise projected week one starters. I caught only two deviations from that list: WR/RET DeAndre Carter and TE Blake Whiteheart did not end up playing. I’ll keep an ear out if there was a late injury or if these players were resting because their roster slot is secure.
With that, let’s break the game down by position.
Quarterback
Much ink will be spilled over this by others in the coming days, so I’ll simply say Shedeur Sanders looked great. Highly unlikely he’ll be named the Week 1 starter and now he looks like he won’t be a cut candidate either. A universe where Sanders posts a couple strong preseason games is really the only one that could see him traded. While I think that is unlikely, I’m no longer dismissing it as a possibility. Tyler Huntley is new to the roster (though he spent the preseason last year with Cleveland), so I’m surprised he got any reps, let alone a full quarter and some change. Huntley has no realistic path the making the initial 53. His best hope is that the Browns dump one of their four QBs and offer him as spot on thre practice squad.
Running Back
Still no Quinshon Judkins and there may not be for a while. Jerome Ford sat out, so I’d expect him to be locked into a roster spot and probably get first crack as the lead back. Rookie Dylan Sampson was at the top of the pecking order of the available players, exiting the game after two drives. I was a little surprised to see the newly signed Trayveon Williams be the first to spell Sampson, but it is possible that none of the remaining backs are serious candidates to make the team. Pierre Strong likely remains on the bubble and missed this game due to injury.
Wide Receiver
We knew there would not be a Tillman or Jeudy sighting in this game before kickoff, but DeAndre Carter may have clinched his spot on the roster as the primary return man. Diontae Johnson, Jamari Thrash, and Kaden Davis (2 TDs) were the first three receivers out. Thrash took the majority of the slot reps where there is a starting spot to be had come Week 1. Cade McDonald and Luke Floriea came out early for some four receiver sets before starting their night in earned on the fourth drive. Floriea also returned a few punts. I would consider both still in the longshot category until they can work into the top six.
Tight End
Not quite sure what to make of Whiteheart’s unexpected absence as he was still right on the bubble as far as I’m concerned. Rookie Harold Fannin played sparingly with starter David Njoku resting. Brenden Bates was the starter last night and played into the third quarter. He was spelled by Sal Cannella. The two combined for five catches and 62 yards.
Offensive Tackle
Both starters rested and veteran swing tackle Cornelius Lucas played three series. Jackson Barton started opposite Lucas at RT. Jason Ivey was the first tackle off the bench.
Interior Offensive Line
The three starters got the night off and Zak Zinter did not play due to injury. Teven Jenkins was the top backup to hit the field. Luke Wypler started at center and exited at the half. Wypler, a former draft pick who missed all of last season with an injury, should remain among the favorites to win a spot as the 9th offensive lineman.
Interior Defensive Line
Mason Graham’s NFL career began with a disappointing 12 snap run, struggling against mostly starting offensive linemen for the Panthers. Sam Kamara started alongside him. I’m expect that pair with Collins, Harris, and Hall to make the initial roster.
Edge
The starting edge rusher opposite Myles Garrett has yet to be chosen, but Alex Wright made a strong case by recoding a sack on just 8 snaps. Cameron Thomas & Julian Okwara could be fighting for a spot as the 9th defensive lineman. Okwara was credited with a pair of sacks.
Linebacker
Linebacker was the only group without a player resting, as only Diabate missed with an injury. Devin Bush and rookie Carson Schwesinger were the first pair and they handed the reins to Jerome Baker & Winston Reid with Nate Watson coming on as a third LB. Schwesinger already seems to look the part of a pro player. He recorded four solo tackles.
Cornerback
With Martin Emerson recently going down with a season-ending injury, starter snaps are open for anyone who can take on the snaps as a 5th defensive back. I anticipated Nik Needham (who recorded an interception tonight) would be in the mix, but he logged just one snap before halftime and then closed out the last 18 plays. Cameron Mitchell and Chigozie Anusiem look like the could be the top players in consideration for the time being.
Safety
Grant Delpit sat this game giving veteran Rayshawn Jenkins the start alongside Ronnie Hickman. Jenkins was ejected early in the game and, as expected, Damontae Kazee was next in line.