It’s hard to believe at the moment, but the Cleveland Browns did play in a preseason game on Saturday afternoon, and there were players on the field who weren’t embroiled in the most painful quarterback competition of all time.
Deshaun Watson’s truth-bomb of a postgame press conference was shocking enough to carry a multi-day news cycle. But while Cleveland’s pair of first-round draft picks, left tackle Spencer Fano and wide receiver KC Concepcion, were held out of this game, the rest of their healthy young players were out there against the Buffalo Bills.
And some of the performances were much-needed.
These Cleveland Browns rookies just boosted their stocks entering the preseason finale
Austin Barber - OT
Barber’s first career dress rehearsal as a starter could not have gone much better. Working at right guard for quarterback Shedeur Sanders, Barber played 34 snaps and finished the day as Cleveland’s top-graded offensive player, per Pro Football Focus.
Barber pitched a clean sheet in pass protection, not allowing a single pressure or hurry, and was also PFF’s top-rated run blocker for the Browns. The third-round draft pick’s stock had been stagnant, if not on the decline, due to him taking the majority of his reps as the backup right tackle at training camp.
Cleveland clearly wanted to see how he looked when kicked inside to guard, and the results were promising.
Carsen Ryan - TE
The Browns’ tight end situation has unraveled to the point where a player, De’Quan Wright, was claimed on waivers, never practiced with the team, and was just waived again to allow him to pursue a return to college football.
There’s opportunity aplenty for every young tight end on the roster, and while undrafted rookie Jermaine Terry II bobbled a poorly-placed — but still very catchable — pass that ended up being intercepted, Ryan put his best foot forward.
He played 39 snaps in the Bills game, second only to offensive lineman KT Leveston. Ryan caught his only target for a 13-yard gain and fared well as a blocker, especially in pass protection.
Ryan hasn’t been spectacular, but with the season-ending injuries to Jack Stoll and Brenden Bates, and fellow rookie draft pick Joe Royer (personal) still away from the team, Ryan has played his way into the 53-man roster conversation.
Logan Fano - DE
Speaking of opportunity, Fano’s chances of making the team rose significantly following news of Alex Wright’s season-ending Achilles injury.
Logan Fano, the older brother of Spencer, has had a quiet training camp, but he stepped up against the Bills, including logging 11 snaps and making a tackle on special teams.
On defense, Fano didn’t start the game, as the Browns instead experimented with defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. as the left defensive end. That probably wasn’t a great sign for Fano, but he responded well, recording two run stuffs and four total tackles on defense.
Cleveland had been in the market for a veteran defensive end, and while they signed former Houston Texan Derek Barnett to help fill the void left by Wright, the battle for the No. 4 edge spot remains. Fano just took a major stride toward winning that job in preseason Week 2.
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