Five Cleveland Browns hurt most by the NFL shortening its preseason schedule.
The Cleveland Browns will play two fewer exhibition games in 2020, as the NFL cut its preseason schedule in half as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The NFL has had the luxury of mostly operating business as usual during its offseason these past four months, but now the coronavirus is beginning to disrupt the schedule. We got a hint of things to come when the Hall of Fame game was shelved, and now, two preseason contests.
Weeks 1 and 4 and of the preseason have now gone by the wayside.
It makes you wonder what’s next for Training Camp and then the regular season. At the time of the schedule release, it was speculated that the NFL had contingency plans in place should the original schedule need altering.
We’re not at that point yet, but something to keep out of your mind.
As for the Browns, fewer preseason games means fewer opportunities and game reps for new players or guys just just lookin to hang onto a roster.
You might think Baker Mayfield would be on this list, but you won’t find him here. Sure, the Browns are trying to re-tool their quarterback’s footwork, but the two or three quarters Mayfield is going to play in a. shortened preseason is going to have no impact on his play.
Here are the players the shortened preseason could impact the most.
1. Jedrick Wills
Jedrick Wills is the name here, but really, the whole offensive line is heavily impacted by the cancellation of two preseason games.
There’s something to be said about chemistry, and that’s especially true on the offensive line where teammates benefit greatly from knowing each others traits and habits.
With that in mind, Jedrick Wills is the name here, but really, the whole offensive line is the unit most heavily impacted by the cancellation of two preseason games.
Wills is being asked to switch to left tackle after a stellar career at Alabama, in which he blocked his quarterback’s blind side fro the right tackle position. At draft day, the expectation was that Wills would seamlessly make the transition, as we were told that he’s a diligent worker who was willing to work remotely.
That may be the case, and I’m sure Wills had been doing everything he needs to do to be ready for the season.
Seeing performances on the field, against live action opponents is another type of best though, and one would think this talented prospect needs reps, especially with new head coach Kevin Stefanski implementing the zone blocking scheme.
2. Sione Takitaki
Less playing time for someone in Sione Takitaki’s position is never a good thing. Fans and pundits believe the second-year veteran will play a ton for new defensive coordinator Joe Woods.
Considering the Cleveland Browns basically ignored the linebacking corps during the offseason, with the exception of taking Jacob Phillips late in the third round, any reasonable assumption would lead to Takitaki get major reps, although its’ been reported he’s in the conversation.
Now, he’s still a question mark heading into year two. Like Wills, this is someone we’d all like to see on the field, playing against live competition.
The Browns had to be counting on Takitaki, even if Woods tries to go with a three-safety looks, because, again, for as much potential as Phillips possesses, it’s unrealistic to believe he’ll come in after a shortened preseason (and who knows about camp at this point) and make an impact.
Fortunately, the Browns made hat minor free-agent signing of former Packer B.J. Goodson, because that insurance policy is looking a lot more valuable as the NFL tries to move ahead with the season.
3. A.J. Green
The Cleveland Browns are really high on A.J. Green, evidenced by the organization paying the undrafted free agent out of Oklahoma State like a sixth-round pick, with a reported $145,000 guaranteed.
A normal preseason would’ve been tailor-made for someone such as Green. With starters playing so little in these contests, Green would’ve have countless opportunities to show why he was such a high priority for the front office immediately following the draft.
The Browns, like every team, must rely on what they see in camp, in addition to the little they see on the field.
Sixth-round picks do get cut, and $145,000 is peanuts toward the salary cap, so while he was obviously a valued player, you’ve got to wonder if they’ll go with over someone such as Donnie Lewis Jr. or Robert Jackson–someone with a little more experience.
Terrance Mitchell could be lumped into that group as well, as some pundits speculated that the veteran was a candidate to be cut. Unlike Lewis and Jackson, Mitchell has a ton of on-field experience and that might not be something you want to part with in what’s sure to be a unique season.
4. Drew Forbes/Chris Hubbard
There’s a healthy sect who aren’t convinced incumbent Wyatt Teller is the optimal choice at right guard. Is he an All-Pro? No. Did he solidify the position down the stretch last season? Yes.
Still, Browns Town wonders if there’s a better option.
Forbes, best known as “Prospect X,” was drafted late in the 2019 draft. He came out of nowhere to put himself into contention to win the job until a camp injury sidelined him for most of the season.
Hubbard was the starting right tackle until the Browns signed Jack Conklin. The veteran re-worked his deal to stay with the Browns and projects as the No. 1 option off the bench, although there are some who think he could start at right guard.
The bottom line: Is two games, and realistically, five quarters enough time to turn in a verdict on Teller.
Sure, the coaching staff can come to conclusions during camp, evidenced by Forbes’ emergence a season ago. The line is going to go through enough of a transition adjusting to Wills at left tackle and the zone blocking scheme. At this point, it just seems unlikely Teller is going to lose his job.
The final WR
Their are four roster locks heading into Training Camp at the receiver position: OBJ, Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins and Donovan Peoples-Jones. The leaves two spots open, with KhaDarel Hodge, Damion Ratley and Taywan Taylor fighting to get a roster spot.
Additionally, JoJo Natson shouldn’t be forgotten. The Browns signed the 5-foot-6 Akron product as a return specialist, but it remains to be seen if Andrew Berry will reserve a roster spot for someone who strictly returns kicks/punts.
With that in mind, Peoples-Jones possesses the ability to return, so as you can see, there’s a things to sort on in the receiving corps.
Obviously, the OBJ and Landry type receivers hardly play in the preseason, which means the guys at the bottom of the roster get an extended look during the exhibition season. Now with fewer chances, there’s less time for these players to show out.
On the flip side, fewer games means more pressure to do perform with the playing time available.