To say that the Cleveland Browns' preseason debut was disappointing wouldn't tell half of the story. That said, it's just the first preseason contest, and as bad as the 34-10 loss to Chicago looks on paper, there were some encouraging signs, especially on offense.
The team's lack of depth along the interior of the offensive line and in the secondary is a major concern. But the Browns also seem to have more talent and playmakers on offense than they've had in recent memory.
The roster is still a work in progress, and while some players helped their chances in the ugly loss, others... not so much. Without further ado, let's talk about the six players whose roster status should be clearer now.
6 Browns players who helped — or hurt — their roster chances
Locked: Gage Larvadain
The Browns have always liked Gage Larvadain's versatile skill set and big-play ability. He seems to be ahead of most of the roster bubble wide receivers in the pecking order, and he made the most of his opportunities on offense and special teams.
Larvadain led the team in targets (7) and receptions (4) and had the second-most receiving yards (37). He also returned a punt for eight yards and figures to alternate in that role with KC Concepcion, whose lone return went for 31 yards.
Trouble: Luke Floriea
Outside of a 35-yard hookup with Shedeur Sanders on an all-out blitz, Floriea had an uneventful evening. He's a big play waiting to happen when he gets involved, but he couldn't haul in his other target and didn't get an opportunity to return a kick or a punt.
While he didn't necessarily play poorly, there's only one or maybe two wide receiver roster spots up for grabs. The fact that the Browns turned to Larvadain and even Tylan Wallace for returning duties on special teams suggests they both might be ahead of Floriea in the pecking order.
Locked: Michael Coats Jr.
Michael Coats Jr. entered the game as one of the players to watch. The undrafted free agent made some big plays in training camp, and he just proved why the team was high on him as a potential depth piece at cornerback.
Coats made a strong first impression with a pass breakup on third down that led to a missed field goal attempt. Then, he perfectly anticipated a Tyson Bagent pass with a diving interception in the middle of the field.
Coats left the game with an injury, but head coach Todd Monken said he expects him to be fine.
Trouble: Chris Edmonds
The Chris Edmonds experience has been a bit of a roller coaster. He has been one of the standouts of training camp, showing impressive ball-hawking skills and leading the team in interceptions. But he struggled to carry that momentum over to the field against the Bears.
Edmonds led the team in tackles, but he also missed some easy ones. He was beaten badly on a crosser for a 25-yard touchdown. The ball skills are there, but Edmonds gambled too much, and this time it backfired.
Locked: Ahmani Marshall
The Browns listed Raheim Sanders ahead of Marshall on their first unofficial depth chart. Even so, Marshall played more snaps and made a bigger impact, both on the ground and as a pass catcher.
Marshall was stuffed on a fourth-and-short carry deep in Bears territory, but he still finished the game with three receptions on four targets for 19 yards. He was inefficient as a ball-carrier, though, rushing for four yards on six attempts, but he did so behind the backup offensive line.
Trouble: Dillon Gabriel
Expectations were low for Gabriel, yet he still managed to disappoint. He didn't look like a second-year quarterback who was playing against fringe NFL roster candidates when he entered the game in the fourth quarter.
On a day that could have given him a chance to endear himself to other teams as a potential trade candidate, Gabriel completed 5 of 8 passes for 23 yards with one interception while taking two ugly sacks.
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