3 Cleveland Browns to watch in Preseason Week 3 against the Eagles

The third preseason game is nearly here as the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles will face one another in the City of Brotherly Love on Thursday, Aug. 17. This game takes place after a week of joint practices between the two clubs, which typically gives the coaches more information than any preseason game does.

Even with that being the case, there's still plenty to learn from the exhibition games, especially when it comes to younger players. Here, we identify three players on the Browns who should be watched in this game.

3. Dawand Jones, Offensive Tackle

There are a couple of rookies that have stepped up for the Browns this preseason with Dorian Thompson-Robinson getting the most love. That's deserved as the UCLA product has been electrifying under center thus far. However, there's another rookie that might be playing even better.

Fourth-round pick Dawand Jones has played the majority of the snaps already and has more than held his own. According to Sam Monson of Pro Football Talk, the Ohio State product has surrendered just one pressure in 79 pass protection sets

Not only has Jones held his own but he's proven he's not afraid of anyone. On Tuesday, the rookie offensive tackle got upset with the Eagles for delivering a late hit on running back Demetric Felton and responded by "tossing Eagles players."

At 6-foot-8 and 374 pounds, Jones towers over everyone on the field. We all knew he would have the strength to hold up but the agility he's shown against some solid pass rushers has been beyond encouraging.

He's surely going to continue to play in the preseason and anytime he's on the field, it's worth keeping an eye on him. Then again, with his size, it's impossible not to watch him.

2. Cade York, Kicker

So far in Cleveland's preseason games, Cade York has been struggling. The second-year kicker from LSU missed on a 49-yard attempt in their opener against the New York Jets. Then against the Washington Commanders, he was wide from 46 yards out.

After the second miss, the calls for competition in the kicking game grew deafening. Despite the frustration from the fan base, head coach Kevin Stefanski remains confident in York.

"It's a small sample size," Stefanski said on a Zoom call via WKYC. "Cade's working very hard just like the rest of our team is. It's preseason football for all of us. None of us are ready to play or coach any in that first game just yet. So we're working through it."

York will have another chance on Thursday to prove himself but there were good signs from him during the week including a perfect 6-for-6 day on Tuesday.

York has the leg to make kicks from anywhere on the field, which is why he was a fourth-round selection. The problem is, he's struggled to start out his NFL career.

Stefanski is choosing to be patient, hoping that York figures it out and becomes one of the better kickers in the league. There's still a chance that winds up happening but they also don't want to sacrifice games now while the young man works through these issues.

Thursday will be another chance for York to gain some confidence, especially if he can piggyback on the improved practices.

1. Austin Watkins, Jr., Wide Receiver

Every year, someone comes out of nowhere to be the Browns training camp superstar. In 2023, that player has been Austin Watkins, Jr.

Signed by Cleveland following a successful stint in the USFL, Watkins has been turning heads with one great play after another. This week against the Eagles, it was a one-handed grab he made that set social media ablaze.

But he's been more than just a guy making plays in practice. Watkins has delivered during the games with eight receptions on 10 targets for 106 yards and a touchdown. That touchdown even proved to be the deciding score in their win over the New York Jets.

On Thursday, he should again have plenty of opportunities to impress the coaching staff against the Eagles. The only question is whether or not that will be enough.

Cleveland is suddenly deep at wide receiver and Watkins remains behind Amari Cooper, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Elijah Moore, Cedric Tillman, and David Bell on the depth chart. When Marquise Goodwin returns, he too will likely be ahead of Watkins.

The problem is, he's done well enough that it might be hard to stash him on the practice squad. If he goes out and performs well against the Eagles, he could wind up forcing the Browns to keep him on the 53-man roster in fear of him being snatched up on waivers.

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