Browns: 5 players on the bubble heading into the 2nd preseason game

RB/FB Johnny Stanton

Everyone really liked what they saw from Johnny Stanton against the Jaguars, but the thing is consistency matters. For Stanton to edge out guys like D’Ernest Johnson, Andy Janovich, Connor Davis, or Jordan Franks, he’s going to have to continue his play-making ways against the Giants.

Stanton had a great game against the Jaguars, blocking bigger defenders, rushing the football, and catching passes; all while playing behind a weak offensive line. Stanton really showed that he could be something interesting. Imagine what he could do behind the offensive line at full strength.

Unless Stanton totally whiffs against the Giants, he’ll have another week to prove he deserves one of those precious 53 roster spots. It won’t be easy and there are guys that are very much on his level that may deserve a spot as much as Stanton. Thankfully for Stanton, and regrettably, for guys like Johnson, Stanton is an old-school footballer player, a man with no true position.

He can play anywhere you need him to. Now, maybe Johnson is the world’s best safety or punter waiting to be discovered, after all, Montrel Meander played in the NFL at corner but then moved over to linebacker, so why couldn’t Johnson be the next great kicking icon? The point isn’t that Johnson can’t do those things, it’s that we don’t know if he can.

We know Stanton has played quarterback, linebacker, running back, and full back in college and the pros, while going through the draft process as a tight end. Despite not being drafted, he can largely play five positions on a given team in a pinch.

So if he can have a few big plays, he’ll likely make the team as the Browns’ third running back or fourth tight end.