Browns: 3 questions the Jaguars game may help answer

The Browns are taking on Jaguars on Saturday in their first preseason game.

The Browns have a big task ahead of them with their first preseason game. That task; don’t get Baker Mayfield or Nick Chubb hurt. Beyond that task, figuring out the rest of their depth chart; especially on defense is another big priority.

The Browns have some lingering questions that aren’t resolved, like who’s going to make the roster as the primary backups at nearly every position, how good will the receivers look this year, can Austin Hooper bounce back, and of course, who’s starting in the middle of the Browns’ defense.

Those are all long-term questions. There are three questions we might get some clarity to on Saturday (but probably not) and those are the three we’re looking at right now.

The three questions Browns fans should keep an eye on

What will the secondary look like?

The secondary is currently up in the air with some injuries and uncertainties dominating the positions. Greedy Williams is penciled in to start but he had a rough rookie year and missed all of his second year due to injuries. How will he look? Ronnie Harrison is currently banged up, and the Browns drafted a few players who may be able to play safety; will they edge him out of the spot? Plus, will Denzel Ward be healthy and how will John Johnson III adapt to Cleveland’s schemes? Lots of questions in that group.

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Will there be any surprises in the backfield?

We know Nick Chubb is set, but there have been clamorings that Johnny Stanton is pushing for playing time behind Andy Janovich. There’s also the question about D’Ernest Johnson and Demetric Felton as the Browns’ third running back. One of them will show off more than the other. Can Felton or Stanton make a dramatic shift in expectations after the first preseason game?

Can Jojo Natson hold onto his spot as a return man?

Cleveland has a large number of receivers and running backs who can serve as return men. Felton, Anthony Schwartz, Donovan Peoples-Jones, and Ryan Switzer all come to mind. The question is going to come about Natson’s spot on the team. He’s not someone who’s going to crack the top of the receiver corps, and he’s, at best sixth, if not seventh on that depth chart. With so many quality players, it may not make sense to carry so many receivers. Asking Peoples-Jones or Schwarz to return saves them a roster spot. It’s also not like Natson has proven to be the next coming of Josh Cribbs or something.