4 Browns offensive players who shined against Philadelphia

The Cleveland Browns may have lost their preseason matchup with the Eagles, but they had some offensive performances that deserve to be highlighted.

The Cleveland Browns were edged out by the Philadelphia Eagles 21-20, in what can only be described as the Backup Bowl. With the starters getting their work in during the joint practices that were held in Berea earlier in the week, the second and third teamers faced off in a mildly entertaining game.

But there were some performances that deserve some recognition, so here are three offensive players that stood out in the Browns’ second stanza of the preseason.

4 Cleveland Browns offensive players who shined against Philadelphia.

Offensive Player No. 4: Nakia Griffin-Stewart

The Browns knew who their top two tight ends were going to be coming into training camp. But outside of David Njoku and Harrison Bryant, they didn’t have a clear-cut roster-worthy tight end under contract. Miller Forristall was the leader in the clubhouse coming into training camp, but now a new player has emerged as tight end number three, Nakia Griffin-Stewart.

Griffin-Stewart, or NGS as he will be referred to in the rest of this article, has looked every bit of a roster-able tight end so far this preseason. NGS caught three passes for 33 yards against the Eagles in the second half of their preseason matchup.

His first catch came on a play-action bootleg that saw NGS come across the field from the backside where Josh Dobbs hit him on an easy pitch and catch in stride for 11 yards. NGS’ second reception was a basic five-yard out, that’s the NFL equivalent to free money. However, it was NGS’ final reception that was his most impressive play of the afternoon.

Once again, the Browns ran a play-action bootleg, this time executed by Josh Rosen. Just as in his earlier bootleg reception, NGS came across the field from the backside, except this time the ball was not placed in front of Griffin-Stewart. Rosen’s ball placement was slightly off, but NGS was able to reach back across his body and snatch the football off his backside hip while running in the opposite direction.

The reception was good for a 17-yard gain, and NGS looked appropriately pumped with his effort and execution. This was the second time this preseason that he’s shown an impressive catch radius while on the move. In an offensive system that utilizes the bootleg as much as coach Stefanski’s, having athletic tight ends that can make difficult catches is something that should be coveted by the Browns.

With only one preseason game and a handful of practices before the final cutdown to 53, NGS should feel pretty good about what he has been able to put on tape.