NFL teams have now played three preseason games, which means nearly all starters are finished playing until Week One. The same goes for the Cleveland Browns, who will sit their first team on Thursday against the Detroit Lions. Here is what the first three (two for some) games have told us about Baker Mayfield and company.
Preseason Takeaways for Baker Mayfield and the 2019 Cleveland Browns
The Offensive Line Is a Concern
The only area where the Browns actually got worse over the off-season is the offensive line. They traded Kevin Zeitler to the New York Giants and signed free agent Eric Kush to compete with second-year player Austin Corbett, the 33rd overall selection in 2018, for the starting right guard job. Corbett has had a simply awful preseason and is now practicing exclusively as the backup and scout team center, leaving Kush as the winner. Rookie Drew Forbes has improved immensely since he was drafted, but he is still a ways away from being able to start. Kush has not been good, but he’s far from the only problem on the line.
Greg Robinson is still trying to shed his bust label, as he was the second overall pick back in 2014 and is now on his third team. He stepped in at the mid-season point in 2018 and was a big part of the O-line’s massive improvement over the second half, but some fans were still uncomfortable with him as the Browns starting left tackle, even with the addition of offensive line coach James Campen. Robinson has not done much to quiet those concerns, as he has struggled in the preseason, committing multiple penalties and getting beaten often against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
On the other side, Chris Hubbard remains a slightly below average right tackle being paid like a top-10 player at his position. Because of an out built into his contract, this is likely his final season with Cleveland.
Left guard Joel Bitonio and center J.C. Tretter are both great, but the other three members of the line are question marks. The unit didn’t play well at all against the Buccaneers, who don’t exactly boast a great defensive line. If the line can’t keep Baker Mayfield clean, this could be a very disappointing and frustrating season. There’s a reason why the Browns have been linked to Trent Williams.
There’s Not a Lot of Depth on Offense Behind Baker Mayfield
On paper, Cleveland rivals the Kansas City Chiefs for the best offense in the league. But behind the starters, there really isn’t much depth. AAF legend Garrett Gilbert has been a big surprise at backup quarterback behind Baker Mayfield, but that’s about it. Kareem Hunt is of course the best backup running back in the NFL, but he’s suspended for the first eight games. Darius Hilliard and D’Ernest Johnson have both been solid in the preseason, but neither player has an NFL carry to their name, and Hilliard fumbled at the one-yard line in the first preseason game.
Despite looking good for the majority of camp, the Browns backup receivers looked terrible in their first real action against a starting defense. With Antonio Callaway suspended for the first four games, this becomes even more alarming. Derrick Willies, Jaelen Strong, Ishmael Hyman, Dorian Baker, Damon Sheehy-Guiseppi, Damion Ratley, and newcomer Braxton Miller are battling over at most three roster spots, and none of them has been able to pull away from the others.
Darren Fells, a blocking tight end, was released in order to sign Demetrius Harris, another blocking tight end with the potential to be more of a receiving threat. Through two preseason games, Harris has two holding penalties and two drops, including a would-be touchdown against the Buccaneers. The Browns really like to use two tight ends, so Harris needs to improve quickly.
Behind him, Seth DeValve has pretty much locked up the third tight end spot by playing all of 19 snaps, since Stephen Carlson, Pharaoh Brown, and Rico Gathers have been so bad.
On the offensive line, things are looking pretty bare. Swing tackle Kendall Lamm is solid and has even gotten a few first-team snaps at right guard. Forbes played tackle in college but is listed as a guard now, although he has played both sides which helps. Corbett plays center, but could move to guard in a pinch; he does provide depth, but things will go south in a hurry if ever sees the field.
The Defense Will Be Very Good
In the preseason “dress rehearsal,” Cleveland’s defense stole the show. Most of the starters played the entire first half and shut out the Buccaneers’ offense, collecting seven sacks and 12 total quarterback hits. Olivier Vernon and Sheldon Richardson are massive upgrades over last season’s starters at defensive end and defensive tackle, and along with Myles Garrett and Larry Ogunjobi, give the Browns perhaps the league’s best defensive front.
At the second level, Joe Schobert is Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded off-ball linebacker this preseason and is primed for a huge season as he plays in a defensive scheme better suited to his abilities. Christian Kirksey is back healthy, and if preseason PFF grades are anything to go by, is back to his old 2015 and 2016 self.
In the secondary, Cleveland is solid. Denzel Ward is a shutdown corner, and Terrance Mitchell, T.J. Carrie, and rookie Greedy Williams will all play big roles. Free safety Damarious Randall is in a contract year and is looking to follow up his great 2018 campaign with an even better one.
As long as new defensive coordinator Steve Wilks plays primarily man coverage (what the Browns personnel is best suited for) instead of the zone he’s known for, the defense shouldn’t have any glaring weaknesses. If depth players like Devaroe Lawrence and rookies Sione Takitaki and Mack Wilson are able to contribute, this could end up being one of the NFL’s best units.
Rookies Won’t Be Forced Into Action
The Browns didn’t have a first-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft but still added some good young talent. And for the first time in a while, those young players won’t be forced into action. Forbes, Williams, Takitaki, and Wilson all have solid veterans in front of them, and while they will see some playing time, their primary roles to start will be on special teams, where Cleveland desperately needs to improve.
