3 Browns offensive players that shined in preseason opener

The first preseason game for the Cleveland Browns is in the books, let’s look at 3 offensive players that stood out in Jacksonville.

Cleveland Browns football is finally back on our televisions as they opened the preseason for the second straight year in Jacksonville. The offense started out slow and clunky with Deshaun Watson but there was still plenty to like later in the game.

Let’s look at three players that grabbed attention on the offensive side of the ball for the Browns.

3 Browns offensive players that shined in preseason opener

No. 3: Nakia Griffin-Stewart, tight end

The Browns’ competition for the third tight end position is wide open to start the preseason and Nakia Griffin-Stewart stated his case on Friday night. Griffin-Stewart caught three of his four targets on Friday for 37 yards including 12 yards after the catch. Now it wasn’t a blow-you-away night but he was efficient and took advantage of the opportunities that he was given.

Griffin-Stewart was Cleveland’s highest-graded player on offense according to PFF in the preseason opener. He also showed that he can be a quality run blocker, which is a major requirement for the tight ends in Kevin Stefanski’s scheme. With quarterback Deshaun Watson facing at least a six-game suspension the Browns will likely need to lean on the run game a lot to start the season.

With two more preseason games Griffin-Stewart will need to keep it up but he showed that he can run routes well, make the catches needed, and run block. He checked all of the boxes for a tight end in Cleveland and for now, has a leg up in the race for the third tight end spot.