Browns studs and duds: Austin Watkins shines against Washington

The second preseason game for the Cleveland Browns is in the books.

Cleveland hosted the Washington Commanders on a night that was delayed due to lightning in the area. After an hour and 16 minute wait, the players took the field and the starters were able to get some work in for the Browns.

Deshaun Watson looked poised and the defense was impressive as well but it wasn't enough to get the win, falling 17-15 to the Commanders. Here we can look at who stood out as both studs and duds as the Browns are now halfway through the preseason.

Stud: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Linebacker

When the Browns landed Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, it was considered a huge win for the front office. The Notre Dame product was expected to go in Round 1 but slid to Cleveland — who desperately needed a playmaking linebacker.

Entering his third season, he's been a good player but he has yet to truly break out the way he was supposed to. That was due in large part to the defensive line failing to do their part and we saw on Friday just how dangerous he can be with this revamped D-line.

With Dalvin Tomlinson and Za'Darius Smith on the field eating up blocks, JOK showed off his athleticism. He completely shut down a screen pass to Brian Robinson in the first quarter and finished with three tackles, one of which went for a loss.

2023 should be a huge season for JOK, who might benefit more than anyone else from the addition of Tomlinson and Shelby Harris.

Dud: James Hudson, Offensive Tackle

Cleveland's offensive line has dealt with a lot of injuries in recent years, which has led to players such as James Hudson being pressed into action. Despite his experience, Hudson hasn't been great thus far in the preseason.

He continued to have issues in their game against Washington and during their drive at the end of the first half, Hudson was thrown to the ground as he attempted to get his feet set in pass protection. There was a clear decline when the second-string line came in and Hudson stood out for all the wrong reasons.

Stud: Elijah Moore, Wide Receiver

He didn't get many touches but he made the most of them.

Elijah Moore had a six-yard reception on his lone target and then lined up in the backfield and took a handoff for an 18-yard gain. He then headed to the sideline with a rib injury, which was thankfully nothing serious.

Moore is expected to be the X-factor in this offense and his debut — while minimal — was enough to get fans pumped about about his addition.

Dud: A.J. Green, Cornerback

Cleveland has a lot of depth in the secondary, which means it's not going to be easy for players such as A.J. Green to make the roster. And on Friday, he didn't have his best showing which could make it more difficult for him to stand out in this crowded room.

On Washington's second drive, Green was unable to break up a deep pass to Byron Pringle despite being in position. Green was running step-for-step with Pringle but never got his head around, which allowed the Washington receiver to pull in a 32-yard reception.

Just two plays later, Jacoby Brissett ran in a touchdown to make it a 14-2 lead for the Commanders.

On the next drive, Green again struggled, this time when covering Dyami Brown. Brissett targeted Brown on first-and-1 from their own 26 and Green appeared to have broken up the pass but was flagged for pass interference.

Stud: Austin Watkins, Jr., Wide Receiver

The Browns have a very deep wide receiving corps but that doesn't mean they can't find room for someone who continues to make plays. That someone could very well end up being Austin Watkins, Jr.

A product of UAB, Watkins — who is the cousin of Sammy Watkins — spent the past two seasons bouncing from the NFL to the CFL. He then joined the Birmingham Stallions of the USFL and caught the eye of Cleveland GM Andrew Berry.

Now after two games, he has caught many more eyes.

Watkins, who had a touchdown against the Jets, added 71 yards on six receptions against the Commanders. He was a go-to receiver for Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Kellen Mond, even pulling in a 19-yarder on fourth-and-six late in the game. Watkins has officially become a name to watch in the final two preseason games.

Dud: Anthony Schwartz, Wide Receiver

At this point, you have to feel for Anthony Schwartz. The former third-round pick from Auburn has struggled mightily since the Browns selected him in 2021 and really needed a good game on Friday to have any shot at making the roster.

He put himself in a tough spot not only due to the struggles throughout his first two seasons but also fumbled the ball away in the Hall of Fame Game against the New York Jets.

This week, he continued his free fall as he dropped the first pass that came his way.

With a deep wide receiver corps, it's starting to feel as though Schwartz could be gone any day.

Stud: Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Quarterback

The star of the game last week was Dorian Thompson-Robinson and the rookie quarterback picked up where he left off against Washington.

DTR proved to be a dual-threat but in this one, he ran for just 11 yards while picking apart the defense with his arm. He finished with 102 yards and a touchdown pass to David Bell while completing 9-of-10 passes.

He plays with a ton of confidence and it's safe to pencil him in as QB3 at this point even though Kellen Mond hasn't been bad at all.

Dud: Cade York, Kicker

Perhaps bringing in no competition for Cade York was a mistake.

Following a frustrating rookie campaign, the Browns showed faith in York when they elected not to bring in anyone to push him for the job. So far, that hasn't worked as York whiffed on his first attempt in the Hall of Fame Game — and then missed again when he got his first chance on Friday.

Trailing 14-2, Cleveland had to settle for a field goal drive late in the third quarter and York came on to try from 46 yards — and was just wide to the right.

Kicking woes have plagued the Browns for years and they hoped the LSU product solved them when they used a fourth-round pick in 2022 to bring him in. Sadly, this is starting to look like another miss on their part.

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