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Cleveland Browns 5 questions to answer in Preseason Week 2

By Randy Gurzi

CLEVELAND, OHIO - AUGUST 08: Punt returner Damon Sheehy-Guiseppi #15 of the Cleveland Browns returns a punt 86 yards for a touchdown during the second half of a preseason game against the Washington Redskins at FirstEnergy Stadium on August 08, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Redskins 30-10. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - AUGUST 08: Punt returner Damon Sheehy-Guiseppi #15 of the Cleveland Browns returns a punt 86 yards for a touchdown during the second half of a preseason game against the Washington Redskins at FirstEnergy Stadium on August 08, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Redskins 30-10. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 15: Wide receiver Antonio Callaway #11 of the Cleveland Browns is congratulated after a fourth quarter go-ahead touchdown pass against the Denver Broncos at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on December 15, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 15: Wide receiver Antonio Callaway #11 of the Cleveland Browns is congratulated after a fourth quarter go-ahead touchdown pass against the Denver Broncos at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on December 15, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

3. Who steps up to replace Antonio Callaway?

The news following Week 1 wasn’t all good as the NFL announced that second-year receiver Antonio Callaway was going to be suspended for the first four games of the season due to a violation of the league’s substance-abuse policy. With Callaway finding himself in trouble, the Browns will need someone to step up for at least the first four games of the season to replace the production he was supposed to provide.

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The first and most obvious choice is Rashard Higgins. The veteran wideout enters this season on a one-year deal and if Thursday was any indication, he is about to get paid in the following offseason. Higgins brought in five passes for 98 yards and a touchdown which suggests he’s ready to continue to build upon what was a great season for him in 2018.

With Higgins likely to take the third receiver spot, there will be an opening for the fourth wideout, which is where the real battle begins. Jaelen Strong, Derrick Willies, and Ishmael Hyman are all in the mix there. Strong played well in Week 1, but Willies had a great rapport with Baker Mayfield last year.

In addition to filling in for him as a wideout, the Browns need someone to step up in the return game. Callaway, who was an excellent returner at Florida, was expected to have a bigger role in that department in 2019 with Jabrill Peppers no longer on the roster.

There, the obvious choice is Damon Sheehy-Guiseppi, but considering how raw he is at the moment, they would need to be willing to dedicate a roster spot to a player who only helps on special teams. Another option is Dontrell Hilliard, who has handled the job in the past as well. He could make more sense considering he can help as a reserve running back as well.

The suspension of Callaway isn’t going to make or break the season, but they do have to do some shuffling for the first four weeks and the preseason will help them decide what all that entails.

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