Cleveland Browns: What to worry about and what not to after Week 3

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TAMPA, FLORIDA – AUGUST 23: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns passes during a preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on August 23, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

A Reason to worry: The offensive line

The defensive line was spectacular for the Browns on Friday, but the offensive line was the exact opposite. The starting five seems to be set as it appears Eric Kush is going to be the right guard, but that doesn’t mean they should feel confident about the five guys they will be trotting out in Week 1.

With all five starters in action (assuming Kush is the guy), Cleveland was simply overwhelmed. Quarterback Baker Mayfield very rarely had a clean pocket to work with. In the end, he was sacked just one time — and each of the backups was also only sacked once — but that number is misleading.

Mayfield found himself under pressure as soon as the ball was snapped and the routes that the team was running were affected by this. No one was able to run deep and the ball was coming out withing three seconds on most plays.

The running game also struggled due to the line’s issues. Starting running back Kareem Hunt managed just 11 yards on five rushes and had it not been for a 12-yard run by quarterback David Blough, they would have had less than one yard per carry for the night.

Cleveland has a talented roster, this isn’t something anyone is disputing. However, the struggles on their O-line have to be a big concern.

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