What To Watch For In The HOF Game
credit Jeff Lange. USA Today
The Cleveland Browns get a head start on the preseason when they face the New York Jets in the Hall of Fame game on Thursday. Though the HOF game is usually somewhat of an anti-climactic reintroduction to football season, it can still provide insights into the team and allow for some of the lesser-known players to play their way into a roster spot.
Here are a few things Browns fans should pay attention to in the Hall of Fame Game.
DTR vs Kellen Mond
Coach Kevin Stefanski had already said that Kellen Mond is set to start the game and play the first half, while rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson will take over in the second half.
Mond joined the Browns last season after being released by the Minnesota Vikings, who selected him with the 66th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Though he struggled in Minnesota, Mond was the victim of a coaching staff that never gave him a shot, along with a regime change in the second year. Now, with a stable environment in Cleveland, he can show why he was so highly touted coming out of Texas A&M.
DTR was somewhat of a surprise selection by the Browns in this year’s draft, but when you see the improvements he made every season as both a passer and rusher in his five years at UCLA, you can see why a team would take a chance on his skillset. He will likely provide a decent amount of excitement in what is usually a drab game.
Though these two are firmly behind both Deshaun Watson and Josh Dobbs on the depth chart, Mond and DTR both have upsides that they can showcase during this game as they compete with one another for the third quarterback spot.
Ronnie Hickman
Another player who looks to bring some excitement to this game is Ronnie Hickman, a UDFA Safety from the Ohio State University. His Ohio State days will likely have endeared him to most Browns fans, but his aggressive style could be just what the Browns need in a backup safety.
Hickman’s ability to play sideline to sideline is invaluable in the secondary. This, coupled with his tenacity in bringing down the ball carrier, is what made the Browns keen to bring him onto the roster.
While his coverage skills need some work, and making the team for any free agent is an uphill battle, his speed, size, and willingness to play on special teams could see him earn a spot on the 53-man roster.
Cade York
Though it looks like most starters won’t see any playing time this week, Cade York looks to be an exception to that rule, as the Browns have no other kicker currently on the roster.
York had somewhat of an up-and-down season last year as a fourth-round pick from LSU. He started his rookie campaign on a high note by hitting a career-long 58-yard game-winning field goal in Week 1.
However, he struggled with consistency, making just 75% of his attempted field goals, giving him the third-worst percentage of kickers who attempted over 20 field goals. If York struggles in the Hall of Fame Game, look for the Browns to bring in some veteran kickers and weigh their options.
Backup Running Back Battle
The Browns’ offense is blessed to have one of the most complete running backs in the NFL in Nick Chubb, but if you look beyond Chubb, you can see how thin they are at the position.
With Kareem Hunt’s return looking less likely by the day as he continues to sit in free agency, the roles of RB2 and RB3 are up for grabs.
Jerome Ford, Demetric Felton, and John Kelly are vying to be the other backs in this offense, and their potential to make the roster hinges on how well they can not only run the ball but how well they can catch, pass protect, and what value they bring to special teams.
Returner Battle
Another position battle to watch out for is that of the punt- and kick-returner. Currently, the two favorites for this role are wide receivers, Jakeem Grant and Jaelon Darden.
Grant signed with the Browns last season but missed the entire year on injured reserve with an achilles injury. He is the more experienced return man, with six touchdowns and over 200 total punt and kick returns. Despite this, he has seen his average yards per return drop since his career highs in 2018. Considering his age and recent injuries, you wonder if he will be able to perform at the same level.
Darden is the younger option, and he also has experience as both a kick- and punt-returner from his time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While he doesn’t have Grant’s resumé, he has more upside as a receiver.
Whoever wins this battle will likely also see some time at receiver and get a chance to move up the depth chart at that position as well. Given how often drives stall out in preseason football, expect both of these return men to have ample chances to prove themselves.
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