4 bold predictions for Cleveland Browns in Preseason Week 4 vs. Chiefs

Thankfully, the preseason is finally ending as the Cleveland Browns will head to Kansas City to play the Super Bowl Champions. Head coach Kevin Stefanski said he will get 20-25 reps for the majority of his starters, although a few will sit out completely.

Players such as Nick Chubb and Myles Garrett seem to be perfect candidates to sit this one out, since they're not only their top players, but they also have no need for preseason reps.

As for those who will play (starters and reserves), let's look ahead with these four bold predictions for Preseason Week 4.

4. Josh Dobbs silences doubters, throws 2 TDs

In the first three preseason games, Josh Dobbs hasn't gotten much work at all. Instead, Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Kellen Mond have been taking the majority of the snaps and DTR has been on fire.

Due to this, there's been speculation that he could supplant Dobbs as the No. 2 quarterback behind Deshaun Watson. While it's true Thompson-Robinson has played well enough to give his team confidence, Dobbs also has the trust of his coaches.

He hasn't been playing because they already know what they have. He was in Cleveland until Week 13 last season and then after playing well in two starts for the Titans, he returned on a fully guaranteed one-year deal.

Dobbs was a star for Cleveland during their 2022 preseason and in this one, he's likely to get some snaps with at least a couple of starting offensive linemen. If he can do that, watch for him to remind everyone why they were excited for him to come back as he re-stakes his claim on the QB2 spot with two touchdown passes.

3. Mohamoud Diabate picks off a pass

Against the Eagles, the Browns had an undrafted rookie show out. Mohamoud Diabate had been turning heads in practice but before this one, he was relatively quiet during the games. That changed and it changed in a hurry.

Diabate recorded a tackle in the end zone on the Eagles' first drive, which resulted in a safety. He shot the A-gap as soon as the ball was snapped and was untouched on his way to Kenneth Gainwell.

He wasn't done here either.

Later in the same game, Diabate forced a fumble when he punched the ball out of Trey Sermon's hand. In all, he had eight tackles as well as the safety and forced fumble.

Now heading into the final preseason game, he's put himself in a position to claim one of the final spots on the 53-man roster. It won't be easy for him with three established starters as well as a couple of special teams standouts such as Matthew Adams and Jordan Kunaszyk ahead of him. There's also Tony Fields, who has stepped up whenever called upon.

With all that being said, Diabate has proven he belongs in the NFL, and in this bold prediction, he makes an even stronger case to make the team when he records his first interception of the preseason.

2. Cade York has a perfect day, goes 4-of-4 on field goals

The ending to the Browns third preseason game was a huge letdown — especially when it comes to Cade York. The second-year kicker entered the night on the heels of two missed field goals over the first two games.

He finally saw one go through the uprights when he connected from 43 yards out in the second quarter. Minutes later, he scored again from 37 yards to give Cleveland an 8-3 lead at the half.

York was then called upon early in the fourth quarter and hit another 47-yard kick. None of them were pretty and a couple barely squeezed in next to the goal post but he was still 3-of-3 and it appeared he might have kicked his way out of the slump he was in.

But then, disaster struck.

Cleveland and Philadelphia were tied at 18 with two minutes left to play. York came out for another attempt from 46 yards to break the tie but was wide right. However, he was bailed out by the Eagles who weren't lined up properly.

His mulligan, unfortunately, had the same result — although this time, he was wide left. Had York gone 4-of-4, he not only would have nailed the eventual game-winner but would have the full confidence of the coaching staff. As it stands now, they're saying the right things in support of their kicker but there are definitely conversations happening behind closed doors about contingency plans.

In this bold prediction, York does everything in his power to hold onto his job a bit longer. Look for him to get another four field goal attempts and this time, he knocks them all through the uprights.

1. Defense records 3 turnovers

Mohamoud Diabate has been a great find for the Browns and was already mentioned in an earlier prediction. The good news for Cleveland is that he's not the only undrafted free agent making waves on defense this preseason.

Safety Ronnie Hickman, a former standout at Ohio State, is also turning heads. He had two interceptions in their game against the Washington Commanders — including one where he chased down a pass from Jacoby Brissett just before the half.

He wasn't done there either as he recorded his third pick of the preseason last week when an overthrow from Marcus Mariota landed in his arms.

Hickman is doing all he can to make sure his name isn't called during cut day — and with the lack of depth behind their top three safeties, he does have a great shot at making the roster. Especially if they decide to go five deep this year.

In this final prediction, he and Diabate lead the way as the defense gets three turnovers against the Chiefs. Not only will Diabate get a pick (according to the earlier bold prediction) but Hickman will force a turnover as will one other defensive back.

Jim Schwartz has this defense playing at a much higher level than we saw in 2022 and that will be seen in their preseason finale.

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