Cleveland Browns: Top 5 players to watch in the preseason
By Sam Penix
![Browns reciver Donovan Peoples-Jones hauls in a pass in the end zone during practice on Tuesday, August 3, 2021 in Berea, Ohio, at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. [Phil Masturzo/ Beacon Journal]Browns 8 4 Jones](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2Fhttps-3A-2F-2Fdawgpounddaily-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fimagn-images-2F2018-2F08-2F16526995-850x560-7b86e501355f45c78e7b535225426c75fdf7f5cc68fe7296a65921446c38ea24.jpg "Browns reciver Donovan Peoples-Jones hauls in a pass in the end zone during practice on Tuesday, August 3, 2021 in Berea, Ohio, at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. [Phil Masturzo/ Beacon Journal]Browns 8 4 Jones")
Five Cleveland Browns players to keep an eye on during the 2021 NFL preseason
The longest offseason in Cleveland Browns history (at least, it felt like that) is nearly over, and the team kicks off their preseason on Saturday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
It’s highly unlikely that any key starters will see the field during the preseason, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be some intriguing players getting snaps.
Here are five, in particular, to watch closely.
5. Drew Forbes
A sixth-round pick back in 2019, Forbes was one of the team’s five best offensive linemen during the preseason, despite the NFL game clearly moving too fast for him (having played at tiny Southeast Missouri State, it’s hard to fault him there). A leg injury forced him to injured reserve, and he missed his entire rookie campaign. Forbes was expected to battle Wyatt Teller for the starting right guard spot last season but opted out due to concerns over COVID-19.
Now, entering his third year, Forbes is fighting for a roster spot. The Browns have too many offensive linemen and not enough places to put them, so Forbes will have to beat out some quality players. He is tailor-made for the wide zone scheme given his aggressiveness and elite athleticism. He has been a guard in the pros, but played tackle in college, so any versatility he can show will help him out.
With the starting five and Chris Hubbard unlikely to suit up in the preseason, Forbes should have plenty of opportunities to show that he’s been working hard during his year off.