Cleveland Browns vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Cleveland Browns
Quarterbacks
- Baker Mayfield: 10/26, 72 yards, 1 INT
- Drew Stanton: 3/6, 37 yards
- David Blough: 3/7, 23 yards | 1 carry, 12 yards
Baker Mayfield got the start tonight and played the entire first half, probably because the Browns first team offense looked pretty bad tonight. With most of his primary weapons sitting, Mayfield himself looked pretty solid. He consistently hit his receivers in the hands only to see them drop his passes. He mostly did a nice job of avoiding pressure and extending plays, although it did appear a few times like he was trying to do too much to make up for the miscues by the rest of the offense. His lone interception came on a pretty meaningless deep attempt to end the first half. Mayfield spread the ball around pretty evenly, which should be good news given the number of mouths to feed in this offense.
Running Backs
- Kareem Hunt: 5 carries, 11 yards | 1 reception, 3 yards
- D’Ernest Johnson: 5 carries, 10 yards | 3 receptions, 43 yards
Nick Chubb had the night off, so Kareem Hunt got the start tonight. He was unspectacular, failing to get anything going but also not getting much help from his offensive line. Hunt did look good in pass protection and was lined up as a receiver for a play. It will be interesting to see if Chubb is similarly deployed once the season starts as an increase in passing work could move Chubb into the elite tier of fantasy running backs. Hunt is suspended for the first half of the season, so the backup job behind Chubb to start the season is open. D’Ernest Johnson made a strong case for that role, looking great in pass protection and contributing as a receiver. If Chubb struggles at all in those areas it’s possible Johnson could step into the third-down role vacated by Duke Johnson—at least until Hunt returns.
Wide Receivers/ Tight Ends
- Rashard Higgins: 3 receptions, 18 yards
- Jalen Strong: 2 receptions, 11 yards
- Derek Willies: 2 receptions, 16 yards
- Braxton Miller: 2 receptions, 11 yards
Jarvis Landry, David Njoku, and Odell Beckham Jr. all sat tonight, which meant a lot of opportunities for the backup receivers. Unfortunately it was a tough night for everyone who ran with the first team offense. Rashard Higgins and Jalen Strong each struggled with drops, although Higgins did make a very impressive one handed catch to convert a fourth-down. Higgins figures to be the third receiver to start the season as Antonio Callaway serves his suspension, but he’ll need to be more productive than he was tonight if he wants to hold the job after Callaway returns. Demetrius Harris failed to catch any of the four targets he saw from the tight end position, including a red zone target Mayfield threw a little too high.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Quarterbacks
- Jameis Winston: 9/19, 88 yards | 2 carries, 6 yards
- Blaine Gabbert: 4/5, 33 yards | 1 carry, 8 yards
- Ryan Griffin: 11/17, 121 yards, 1 TD
Jameis Winston played the whole first half, which was surprising given how many hits he was taking. The Buccaneers offensive line was embarrassed by the Browns pass rush, surrendering seven sacks on the night. Winston looked a little rattled after the third sack he took, misfiring on a few passes even when he had time in the pocket. He will need to do a better job getting the ball out quickly going forward if the offensive line is going to struggle this badly. Blaine Gabbert looked comfortable running the offense as the backup, but he left the game with a hand injury and was seen on the sideline in a sling. Ryan Griffin came in after that and continued to be one of the more fun players to watch this preseason, throwing a touchdown and leading the Bucs on a game-winning field goal drive.
Running Backs
- Peyton Barber: 3 carries, 3 yards
- Ronald Jones II: 4 carries, 8 yards
- Andre Ellington: 6 carries, 21 yards | 1 reception, 11 yards
- Dare Ogunbowale: 7 carries, 22 yards | 2 receptions, 19 yards
Peyton Barber got the first snaps with the first team offense and then alternated drive with Ronald Jones II. Neither running back looked good, but it was hard for either of them to get going with the way their offensive line played. Ronald Jones II did have two nice runs for about six yards each, but he also gave a lot of those yards back on a run to the outside where he looked too hesitant and spent too much time moving laterally before trying to get up field. With neither guy standing out, it seems likely that this turns into a committee situation to start the season. Andre Ellington got a few snaps with the starters, but most of his snaps came with the backups. He looked solid, and his familiarity with Bruce Arians’ offense might help him get on the field if no other running back can stand out. He would be worth a look in PPR leagues given his history as a pass-catcher, but for now this backfield looks pretty ugly for fantasy.
Wide Receivers/ Tight Ends
- Chris Godwin: 4 receptions, 52 yards
- Breshad Perriman: 2 receptions, 15 yards
- Justin Watson: 2 receptions, 21 yards
- Bobo Wilson: 4 receptions, 28 yards
- Tanner Hudson: 4 receptions, 49 yards
- Jordan Leggett: 1 reception, 20 yards, 1 TD
Chris Godwin continued to look great, catching a screen pass and stiff-arming a defender to spring himself for a big gain. Godwin seems poised for a breakout season, and his ability to contribute on short and intermediate routes will help him rack up targets if Winston needs to get the ball out quickly. Breshad Perriman also looked good and projects to be the third receiver in this offense, although his targets were inflated thanks to Mike Evans sitting out. He had a nice deep route where he appeared to have a step on the defensive back, and might have been held a little bit, but wasn’t able to come up with the catch. With how much Tampa Bay figures to pass the ball, Perriman is worth a late round pick–especially if he can turn his elite speed into some deep receptions. Tight end Tanner Hudson had another good preseason game, but it is unlikely he can contribute in the regular season behind starters O.J. Howard and Cameron Brate.
— Dan Adams