Now let me start this by saying that I don’t really try to put too much stock into what happens during an NFL preseason game.
There’s been so many hot takes around the league that it’s also embarrassing at times that people are paid to give the takes they do regarding borderline scrimmages.
As a Browns fan, I’ve been sucked into thinking the likes of Colt McCoy, Brandon Weeden, and DeShone Kizer were legit NFL quarterbacks in the preseason only for them to fail when the games actually mattered.
Having said all that, here are my thoughts regarding Saturday’s game.
Deshaun Watson will most likely be the starting quarterback for the start of the regular season
Now having gone back and watched the game again, I’ll say that none of the quarterbacks truly stood out head and shoulders above the other but I’ve been saying it for the last week that I do think it’s time for Todd Monken to pick a quarterback and preparing for the regular season.
Watson looked okay with the first-team offense outside of his fumble in the second quarter. He got the ball out quickly and was able to spread it out to the receivers. His 4.4 air yards per attempt is an eye opening number because he didn’t really drive the ball down the field and relied on the speed of guys like KC Concepcion and Dylan Sampson.
Shedeur Sanders made some nice throws but the interception was another one of those moments where it shows why he’s still behind Watson in the competition, he’s not processing as fast and as consistent. He’ll get his shot against Buffalo but with the starters going to be getting their work mostly in the joint practice, it seems like the writing is on the wall that Watson will be the starter and Sanders will open the season as the backup quarterback.
The Depth on the Roster is a Major Concern
Yes, the Cleveland Browns are one of the youngest rosters in the NFL.
Yes, the roster has added talent in the last two draft classes as well as in free agency but the depth on the roster is and will be a concern throughout the 2026 season.
Quarterback is obviously the biggest need but we can discuss that until we’re blue in the face for the next eight months until the NFL Draft.
The offensive line still needs work and just because they built a brand new group of starters doesn’t mean the backups can’t go unnoticed.
Austin Barber got exposed in his first taste of NFL action but he was always looked as as a developmental player and hopefully we’ll see growth in the next two games and into the future for the third-round pick. There’s questions at guard with right guard still undetermined. The fact they worked out Laken Tomlinson, a lineman with 150+ career starts tells you how they feel about it currently.
The offensive line also didn’t look like they knew exactly what they were doing out there, whether it was figuring out their blocking assignments or the overall scheme. Much like quarterback, the best five guys need to be out there and gelling as an entire unit between now and the start of the regular season.
There’s been talk of potentially sliding in Tytus Howard in to right guard and putting Dawand Jones at right tackle. I don’t know if that’s the right answer but if Tomlinson doesn’t sign with the team, all options should be on the table to make sure the best five are out there for the betterment of the team.
Cornerback was heavily tested Saturday and more injuries happened with that position group during the game and you have to wonder if more transactions will come this week as Andrew Berry continues to search for depth at a spot where behind Denzel Ward and Tyson Campbell looks very bleak.
There’s also EDGE where as of this writing, the Browns are possibly close to finalizing a deal with veteran pass rusher Za’Darius Smith, who spent 2023-24 with the Browns and is potentially coming out of retirement.
Julian Okwara has stood out in training camp and had a sack on Saturday but it’s unclear if he’d make the roster as it’s currently constructed with Jared Verse, Alex Wright, and Isaiah McGuire seen as locks at the moment.
Defensive tackle also is another group that could use some attention. Maliek Collins still hasn’t been activated off PUP and Mike Hall Jr. has been absent since the practice where he was launched by running back Quinshon Judkins.
With Mason Graham and Adin Huntington the ones who have been out there at the most throughout training camp, it could be a group where we could see a surprise addition added if Collins and/or Hall can’t go at the start of the regular season.