Which Browns Need To Impress In the Final Preseason Game?
Photo Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
There are now just two Sundays before the Cleveland Browns take the field for their first regular-season game vs. the Cincinnati Bengals. We are also now under a week from the Browns having to cut this roster down to 53 players, along with a 16-man practice squad.
The Browns are 1-1-1 so far in the preseason, and there has been a lot of good, bad, and ugly — including Cade York continuing to miss clutch kicks. There is no doubt that some talented players will be cut across the league, potentially including these Browns who must impress to make the final roster.
Cade York – Kicker
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I don’t want to give up on York just yet. He has a monster leg and is an asset to have on a roster.
However, I’ll also admit that if he misses another clutch kick within 45 yards, it’s time that Andrew Berry seriously considers bringing in veteran kicking competition. As much as I want to have a kicker who can hit from 65 yards, I would rather have a kicker who doesn’t miss inside the 40.
To put this all into perspective, the Browns would be 3-0 in the preseason if York made the kicks that he should have (inside of 45 yards) — not to mention that he missed two opportunities at the end of the Eagles game.
.@TonyGrossi says it's time for the Browns to bring in a new kicker to replace Cade York.
Do you agree? pic.twitter.com/gz3QzXd3rS
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) August 18, 2023
You’re correct to point out that the preseason doesn’t matter, but if he causes this team to lose more than one game this season, fans are going to turn quickly. York needs to come out and make every kick he takes to get fans back on his side.
Maurice Hurst – Defensive Tackle
Defensive tackle is one of the positions that got the biggest overhaul this offseason. This has been a major weakness for the Browns over the past three years, but it finally seems to be fixed with all the additions that have been made.
Maurice Hurst was one of those guys brought in, and so far, he has been phenomenal and made a lot of plays at and behind the line of scrimmage.
The question has never been if Hurst belongs in the NFL, but rather if he can stay healthy. So far so good, and he has played a good number of snaps in camp and the preseason. He’s a big guy who takes up a lot of room and could be an important depth piece to this roster.
Right now I have him making the 53-man roster, but if he doesn’t have another strong performance on Saturday, he could quickly find himself looking for a new team.
Look for Hurst, Tommy Togiai, and Jordan Elliott to get a ton of snaps in the first half of the final preseason game, and all of them playing for one final spot. I think Hurst will make just enough plays to find his way to Week 1.
Austin Watkins Jr. – Wide Receiver
Perhaps the MVP of the NFL preseason this year has been Austin Watkins Jr., the former UAB collegiate player who has jumped around practice squads for the past two seasons. Cleveland gave Watkins a shot when Marquise Goodwin went down with a health condition, and now there is a good chance he’s going to be sending a veteran home, so he has room on the roster.
Through three preseason games, Watson has racked up 15 catches for 245 yards and two touchdowns. Let me assure you, none of this has come during garbage time. It doesn’t matter who the Browns’ quarterback is, when No. 80 is on the field, they are looking to get him the ball.
Wide receiver is another extremely deep position for the Browns, but I don’t know how you keep him out. I’m not saying he needs another 80- or 100-yard receiving game to make the team, but he does need to have at least two catches to secure his spot, and here is why.
Again, Austin Watkins Jr. catches everything. #Browns pic.twitter.com/4UMzTuX2uE
— Camryn Justice (@camijustice) August 22, 2023
Undoubtedly, Anthony Schwartz is out, so the big question is how many receivers will the Browns keep? If they go with six and they want to keep Jakeem Grant for kick-returning purposes, that means it comes down to David Bell or Watkins. Keep in mind, Bell was a third-round selection just two years ago, so it will be tough for Berry to give up on him so quickly.
Watkins has been far too good to try and get on the practice squad, and he has more than earned his spot on this roster. Not often do I find myself rooting for a third-string player in the preseason, but Watkins has been exactly that guy — for me and a lot of other fans too.
Berry’s toughest day of the year is coming up quickly when he trims this roster down for the regular season. The mixture of managing the cap, veteran talent, and rookie players is a stress I hope to never face in my life. At this point, he has earned fans’ trust in the process.
Up Next