CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Baker Mayfield, Nick Chubb, Odell Beckham Jr., Myles Garrett and many other starters will have a prime view Saturday night in Jacksonville.
As spectators.
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski plans to sit most of his starters against the Jaguars leaving the game in the hands of backup quarterback Case Keenum and third string QB Kyle Lauletta.
Getting through the preseason with their starters intact and healthy is of paramount importance as Cleveland begins the 2021 season with high expectations following an 11-5 regular season finish in 2020 and a Wild Card victory over the Steelers before bowing out in the divisional round, a 22-17 loss to the Chiefs.
What to watch for – The Browns already know what they have in Keenum, and he isn’t going anywhere, so much of the attention will be on Lauletta, who will get the bulk of the playing time and is likely auditioning for a practice squad spot or game tape in the hopes of being picked up by one of the other 31 teams.
We’ll get our first look at the rookies, including first and second round picks Greg Newsome II and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. Newsome is competing with Greedy Williams for the No. 2 corner spot opposite of Denzel Ward and has had a solid camp to date. Owusu-Koramoah has had to play catch up after missing the first 10 days of camp following a positive COVID test. Saturday night will provide the coaching staff with tangible evidence to determine if they're ready to be NFL starters yet.
Williams and Chris Hubbard are both back from season-ending injuries a year ago and will see plenty of action. Williams, who as we mentioned earlier is competing with Newsome for a starting job, has recovered from a shoulder injury suffered last August, which included a problem with a nerve. Hubbard suffered a major knee injury and he’s hoping to land a sixth-man role on the offensive line. Last year, despite having arguably the best O-line in the league, the depth up front was tested and having Hubbard healthy would be a big comfort.
Sixth round pick Demetric Felton has been bouncing between the receivers and running backs throughout camp so it will be interesting to see where he spends the bulk of his snaps Saturday night. Felton has also worked with the returners and could get an opportunity or two to return punts or kickoffs.
Who doesn’t love a good kicking competition? The Browns have one – whether or not it’s actually a good one is up for debate. Cody Parkey and Chase McLaughlin have had their ups and downs early in camp. Thy are expected to alternate tries and kickoffs against the Jaguars.
No. 1 overall draft pick Trevor Lawrence will make his NFL debut under former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer, who has been coy about who his starter in Week 1 will be. The Jaguars drafted Lawrence, who is competing with Gardner Minshew for the starting job, to turn the franchise around, much like Mayfield has in three years with the Browns.
Tim Tebow is buried fourth on the Jaguars depth chart at tight end but he’s a story in Jacksonville. Meyer is giving him a new lease on life in the NFL at a new position so it will be interesting to see how well he performs with actual game reps, even if it is preseason.
Last week – Preseason opener for both teams
Last Time – Nov. 29, 2020: Browns 27, Jaguars 25
Series – Jaguars lead the all-time regular season series 6-12-0
Injury report – S Grant Delpit (hamstring), Tony Fields II (foot), DE Myles Garrett (hamstring), S Ronnie Harrison Jr. (hamstring), WR Alexander Hollins (hamstring), DT Malik McDowell (rib), LB Montrel Meander (hamstring), S Sheldrick Redwine (ankle), WR Anthony Schwartz (hamstring), CB M.J. Stewart Jr. (hamstring), CB Denzel Ward (soreness)
Broadcast – Radio: 92.3 The Fan, 98.5 WNCX and the University Hospitals Cleveland Browns radio network. TV: WEWS TV-5 (local), NFL Network (national/out of market)
Kickoff – 7:05 p.m. – TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Florida