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Cleveland Browns: 5 players who must show out vs New York Giants in Preseason Week 2

By Casey Kinnamon

Browns receiver JoJo Natson is covered by cornerback Greedy Williams during practice on Tuesday, August 3, 2021 in Berea, Ohio, at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. [Phil Masturzo/ Beacon Journal]Browns 8 7 1
Browns receiver JoJo Natson is covered by cornerback Greedy Williams during practice on Tuesday, August 3, 2021 in Berea, Ohio, at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. [Phil Masturzo/ Beacon Journal]Browns 8 7 1 /
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Cleveland Browns
Aug 14, 2021; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver JoJo Natson (19) returns a punt against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first quarter at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports /

Cleveland Browns: 4. JoJo Natson, PR/KR/WR

JoJo Natson by all accounts should make this roster as a kickoff and punt returner. However, as he is listed as a fifth-string wide receiver, it would not be surprising if his return duties fell to other players who could also contribute in other ways.

Natson had the return gig locked up in 2020, but after suffering a season-ending ACL injury in Week 3 the Browns were forced to look in other directions to find a solution. Then rookie, Donovan Peoples-Jones handled the return duties. It proved to be more of a stop-gap maneuver than a solution, as Peoples-Jones did not exactly run away with the job. Eventually, the Browns split up the roles, as D’Ernest Johnson handled the kick returns and Peoples-Jones fielded the punts.

In this league, and particularly this team, the more you can do factor might prove to be the tiebreaker. And both Peoples-Jones and Johnson provide immensely more value at their primary positions than Natson, and by using those players to also return, it could free up a roster spot elsewhere.

There is also a wildcard in the room. Rookie Demetric Felton could ultimately prove to be the best option as a returner. However, the Browns are not putting that on the rookie’s plate as of yet, probably because they are asking him to learn four different positions during camp.

If Natson wants to hold on to the return gig, he is going to need to break some big plays in the return game to solidify his spot.

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