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Cleveland Browns vs. Falcons: 5 Players who must show out in Preseason Week 3

By Sam Penix

CLEVELAND, OHIO - AUGUST 22: Defensive tackle Malik McDowell #58 of the Cleveland Browns blocks running back Corey Clement #30 of the New York Giants during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium on August 22, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - AUGUST 22: Defensive tackle Malik McDowell #58 of the Cleveland Browns blocks running back Corey Clement #30 of the New York Giants during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium on August 22, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OHIO – AUGUST 22: Tight end Jordan Franks #87 of the Cleveland Browns waits for a play during the first quarter against the New York Giants at FirstEnergy Stadium on August 22, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Five Cleveland Browns players who need a good performance against the Atlanta Falcons

The Cleveland Browns have one more preseason game to play, and while the vast majority of the roster is set, there are still a few spots up for grabs with plenty of players vying for jobs. Here are five guys who need to play well against the Atlanta Falcons if they want to stick around.

5. TE Jordan Franks

With the season-ending injury to Stephen Carlson, the fourth tight end spot opened up for the Browns. That is, if they still wish to keep that many. David Njoku, Austin Hooper, and Harrison Bryant missed a combined seven games between them, which lead to Carlson playing 93 total snaps on the year.

The Cleveland offense used TEs more than nearly every other team in the league, so it would make sense to still carry a fourth, but if that player is to be primarily used as a blocker (Carlson was targeted only once), the team could opt to just use an offensive lineman instead.

Franks was battling Connor Davis for the fourth spot on the depth chart, but Davis is now on injured reserve. Franks now has to make himself invaluable, even if he wouldn’t play a large part if he were to make the roster. He’s not a great athlete, but he moves and gets open well enough. He’s had some nice moments catching the ball, and some not-so-nice moments through two preseason games.

At this point, it seems unlikely Franks will make the team, but a strong performance against Atlanta could change that, and at least put him under consideration for the practice squad.

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