3 Browns players who need to step up in Preseason Week 2

No. 1: Anthony Schwartz

Let me preface this by saying that it’s still early and I hope I am wrong in this assumption. I want Anthony Schwartz to be who Berry thought he would be when he drafted him in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft and that is a dynamic speedster who can stretch the field, but right now, he’s not being productive when it counts, depsite it being presason.

Schwartz possesses Olympic-level speed, but he has struggles when it comes to catching the football. In the win over the Jaguars, the first-team offense looked nothing like what it could, despite Deshaun Watson being under center. Schwartz didn’t help matters with two drops, including one that was wide open and would have given the Browns a first down.

Watson told Schwartz on the sideline during the game that he will still go to him, he trusts him, and the team has his back. That’s very encouraging for the second-year speed specialist who continues to play through a case of the yips.

In 2021, Schwartz was hampered by injuries and was never able to get going out of the gate. In 2022, he has shown flashes of his Flash-like speed, but has not been able to consistently handle the football.

During Tuesday’s practice, Schwartz yet again dropped a big pass, but later atoned for it making an astonishing catch from Jacoby Brissett for a touchdown, walking off practice during a one-minute drill. While that is only one catch and plenty of work to be done, Schwartz can continue to work on catching the football and becoming a playmaker that can stretch the field for this team.

He can shine all he wants during practice, but until he is able to do this consistently during games, regardless if they are preseason or regular season, it means nothing.

Again, I want to be wrong about Schwartz, and it’s still way too early to give up on him, but for now, he isnt him. The Browns have a shaky receiving corps at best, so Schwartz will need to step his game up starting with Preseason Week 2.