4 Browns that stood out for the offense in the Hall of Fame Game

It might not count…but it’s football. The NFL kicked off their preseason when the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets took the field in Canton, Ohio. With each team having inductees to be inducted on Saturday, it was a fitting Hall of Fame Game matchup.

With neither team sending out their starters to participate, it was a battle of the bottom two-thirds of the rosters. While the final score was inconsequential, we should point out that the Browns won 21-16, the performances were not. Here are four Browns who stood out on the offensive side of the ball.

Browns offensive standout No. 4: Dawand Jones, OT

It would be impossible to make a list of players that stood out in the Hall of Fame Game and not start with Dawand Jones. An absolute mammoth of a human being, Jones could have made this list even if he never left the huddle.

However, it was not just Jones’ imposing stature that made him a standout on Thursday night. Jones displayed the nimble feet and violent hands that made him an All-American while at Ohio State. Just as it did in college, Jones’ pass sets looked effortless, and he easily walled off defenders.

To find an athlete with his immense size that can move effortlessly as he does is rare, even in the NFL. Luckily for the Browns, Jones skipped out after one practice at the Senior Bowl, or he more than likely would not have been available where Andrew Berry selected him.

The Browns have handed offensive line coach Bill Callahan a massive piece of clay, and so far, it appears that Jones is being molded into a quality football player. If he keeps working at it, do not be surprised if this time next year, Jones is slated to be a starter.

Browns offensive standout No. 3: Cedric Tillman, WR

It's hard not to put a ton of expectations on a player when they are the team’s first draft pick, even if that player is not a first-round selection. Enter Cedric Tillman. The Browns first selection of the 2023 NFL Draft came in the third round when they took Tillman with the 74th overall pick.

The Hall of Fame Game was Tillman’s first opportunity to show Cleveland fans what they got when the Browns called his name on day two of the draft. Tillman did not disappoint. On the first series of the drive, Tillman announced his presence with a 12-yard reception.

On the following drive, Tillman drew a defensive holding penalty. Then on the final drive of the first half, despite being held, Tillman violently broke off his route and hauled in a 20-yard gain.

If you are the Browns coaching staff, you saw what you needed to see. Tillman displayed a keen awareness of coverage, showed his ball skills, and played with a physicality that is commensurate of a wide receiver of his size. Tillman was also a plus as the motion blocker in the run game.

Tillman finished his preseason debut with two catches on three targets for 35 yards. It is becoming easier to envision Tillman carving himself out a role in this offense as the season progresses.

Browns offensive standout No. 2: Dorian Thompson-Robinson, QB

Despite not playing a down in the first half of the Hall of Fame Game, Dorian Thompson-Robinson will be the first player that comes to mind when talking about the preseason kickoff. DTR was an absolute electric factory on Thursday night. From the second he stepped on the field the game just had a different feel to it.

DTR immediately demonstrated a tremendous feel in the pocket and an intuitive awareness of when to use his legs to evade trouble. His elusiveness provided the Browns with the spark that they lacked throughout the first half. DTR led the Cleveland offense on a 93-yard, 11-play drive, that culminated in a rushing touchdown by Demetric Felton in which Thompson-Robinson threw the springing block.

Two drives later, DTR orchestrated a 78-yard, nine play drive that ended with a 22-yard touchdown throw to Austin Watkins Jr. When it was all said and done, DTR finished the game going eight for 11 through the air for 82 yards and touchdown and added an additional 36 yards on the ground on six rushing attempts (counting his kneel down in victory formation). Not bad for one half of football.

Dorian Thompson-Robinson is going to give Browns fans something to look forward to this preseason.

Browns offensive standout No. 1: The Running Backs

Browns running back coach, Stump Mitchell had a heck of a night on Thursday. Every back that Mitchell put into the game saw success. First up to the plate was John Kelly Jr. Kelly played more a of traditional Browns running back role in the first quarter.

But just as he has during the Browns last three preseasons, Kelly showed patience and power. Kelly understands the scheme and allows his linemen to set up their blocks. He finished the night with 42 yards on 10 carries with an additional 27 yards on four receptions and a receiving touchdown, another typical John Kelly Jr. preseason game.

Demetric Felton seized his opportunity on Thursday night. Felton finally got a real audition at running back for the first time in his three seasons as a member of the Browns. For a team needing a third-down receiving threat at running back, Felton used his skill set to the fullest.

Felton led the Browns in rushing gaining 46 yards on only seven carries, including a 16-yard touchdown scamper on the first drive of the second half. For Cleveland, the most encouraging aspect of Felton’s performance was his ability to execute runs out of the shotgun. That's something that could provide an extra dynamic element for a team that's looking to transition to a pass-heavier scheme.

Hassan Hall made his debut on Thursday night and made a decent account of himself. The undrafted free agent out of Georgia Tech made the most of his limited opportunities. Hall gained 34 yards on five carries and showed excellent burst and an ability to hit the hole and get north.

If Hall can keep stacking positive showings with the opportunities he receives this preseason, he could be a practice squad candidate.