Browns @ Jaguars
Final Score: Browns 24, Jaguars 13
Writer: Ryan Radel (@RadelFF on Twitter)
Aaaaaaaaaand we are back! It is my absolute pleasure to be writing about (fantasy) football once again. As I am sure you know, week one of the preseason typically provides a very quick glimpse at first-team offenses and defenses before the depth and bubble guys take the field, and today was not much of an exception. Unfortunately one of these teams did sustain an injury during first-team reps which may impact the regular season, but that is yet to be determined. The Browns leave Jacksonville with a preseason victory as both teams gained some valuable live-action tape that will surely assist in looming roster decisions. Lucky for us, we only follow the people who are fantasy relevant.
Cleveland Browns
Quarterback
Deshaun Watson: 1/5, 7 yards
Joshua Dobbs: 10/13, 108 yards, TD | 1 carry, 9 yards
Josh Rosen: 6/7, 56 yards | 3 carries, -3 yards
In his limited action, Deshaun Watson looked like a quarterback who hasn’t played in a live football game in quite some time. Most notably was a bad overthrow to a wide open receiver on his first-ever pass as a Brown. Josh Rosen, while accurate, didn’t do anything super notable. The quarterback in the spotlight for this game was Joshua Dobbs. Dobbs left the game with the most attempts, completions, and yards while leading the offense downfield on a score with this nice touch pass on a bootleg:
𝒻𝒾𝓃𝑒𝓈𝓈𝑒 💧#CLEvsJAX pic.twitter.com/vUf9lhhqqU
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 13, 2022
Running Back
D’Ernest Johnson: 3 carries, 0 yards, Fumble (Lost)
Jerome Ford: 10 carries, 57 yards, TD, Fumble (Lost) | 5 targets, 4 receptions, 45 yards, TD
John Kelly Jr.: 10 carries, 20 yards | 3 targets, 2 receptions, 14 yards
D’Ernest Johnson‘s time on the field was brief and he still managed to turn the ball over. John Kelly Jr. ran hard but didn’t find a lot of space on the ground but stayed involved in the passing game. The usage in the passing game between Kelly and Ford was a great sign for the position moving forward. Jerome Ford stole the show on the day, scoring twice (0nce through the air, once on the ground,) but also managing to lose a fumble. You already saw his receiving touchdown, now take a look at the balance and vision on display during this 41-yarder up the middle:
.@JeromeFord up the middle for 41!! 😤 pic.twitter.com/js48Wzy3Mu
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 13, 2022
Wide Receiver/Tight End
David Njoku: 1 target, 1 reception, 7 yards
Javon Wims: 1 target, 1 reception, 7 yards
Anthony Schwartz: 3 targets
Demetric Felton Jr.: 1 target
Nakia Griffin-Stewart: 4 targets, 3 receptions, 37 yards
Daylen Baldwin: 3 targets, 3 receptions, 25 yards
Johnny Stanton IV: 1 target, 1 reception, 20 yards
Nothing crazy out of this group. Most notable was a very, very bad drop from Anthony Schwartz. The Browns utilized a lot of bootlegs resulting in underneath routes as evident by the lack of big plays on the box score.
Bringing home the W!! 👏#CLEvsJAX | #Browns pic.twitter.com/m9snDET3vZ
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 13, 2022
Jacksonville Jaguars
Quarterback
Trevor Lawrence: 6/12, 95 yards, TD | 1 carry, 11 yards
Jake Luton: 12/21, 92 yards, INT, 4 Sacks
C.J. Beathard: 4/7, 34 yards, INT, Sack
The Jaguars offensive line did no favors for their quarterbacks, especially Jake Luton and C.J. Beathard, who took a combined five sacks on the day. Trevor Lawrence showed flashes of why he was the first pick in the 2021 draft, including this nice rollout where he plants his back foot and zips it in there to Zay Jones. The future is still bright in Jacksonville.
Zay way!#CLEvsJAX on FOX pic.twitter.com/9ATBjqalBs
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) August 12, 2022
Running Back
Travis Etienne Jr.: 9 carries, 23 yards | 3 targets, 1 reception, 10 yards
Snoop Conner: 7 carries, 21 yards | 2 targets, 2 receptions, 11 yards
Ryquell Armstead: 5 carries, 17 yards
Mekhi Sargent: 2 carries, 5 yards | 3 targets, 3 receptions, 17 yards
There was not a lot of space to run for Jacksonville’s running backs on the day as their offensive line had some trouble winning at the line of scrimmage. With eight targets distributed amongst the running backs, the lack of playmakers in the receiving room is going to make the Jaguars rely on getting backs involved in the passing game. Contrary to Deshaun Watson, Travis Etienne Jr. looked like he hadn’t missed a beat after missing all of 2021 to a Lisfranc injury. He still runs hard:
ETN is like that!#CLEvsJAX on FOX pic.twitter.com/9uW6kJ0bxP
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) August 12, 2022
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Zay Jones: 4 targets, 2 receptions, 47 yards
Laquon Treadwell: 4 targets, 2 receptions, 27 yards
Evan Engram: 2 targets, 1 reception, 9 yards, TD
Tim Jones: 7 targets, 5 receptions, 42 yards
Gerrit Prince: 5 targets, 3 receptions, 30 yards
Luke Farrell: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 18 yards, Fumble (Lost)
Zay Jones stood out among the rather pedestrian group of receivers as he made the most of first-team targets on the day. Tim Jones was the standout amongst the second-teamers, when the quarterbacks had enough time to actually throw the ball. Evan Engram managed a score on the day, and is probably the one player to keep an eye on if his usage in Jacksonville is there. They need someone to make an impact in the receiving game.
EAZY-Duz-It!#CLEvsJAX on FOX pic.twitter.com/A5NBWWHqo3
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) August 12, 2022
Thanks for reading! Until next time…