The Browns’ quarterback mess has swallowed most of the oxygen in Cleveland, but the preseason game against the Bills still gave a few rookies a chance to matter.
While first-round picks Spencer Fano and KC Concepcion sat out, some of the younger players who were healthy made the most of their reps. And for three of them, Saturday looked like a real step forward heading into the preseason finale.
Austin Barber was the clearest winner. Working at right guard with Shedeur Sanders, the third-round pick got 34 snaps in his first career dress rehearsal as a starter and came away with the kind of line coaches love to see.
Per Pro Football Focus, he was Cleveland’s highest-graded offensive player. He didn’t allow a pressure or a hurry in pass protection, and PFF also tagged him as the Browns’ top run blocker on the day.
That matters because Barber’s camp reps had mostly come at backup right tackle, leaving his stock flat, if not slipping. Against Buffalo, Cleveland got a better look at him inside, and it paid off.
Tight end Carsen Ryan also helped himself in a room that has been thinned out badly. The Browns have already seen the position take hits, with De’Quan Wright claimed on waivers, never practicing with the team, and then waived again so he could go back to college football.
Add in the season-ending injuries to Jack Stoll and Brenden Bates, plus Joe Royer still away from the team for personal reasons, and there’s room for anyone who can show something. Ryan played 39 snaps, second on the team behind KT Leveston, caught his only target for 13 yards, and held up well as a blocker, especially in pass protection.
He hasn’t been flashy, but he’s putting himself into the 53-man roster conversation.
Then there’s Logan Fano, who finally had a noticeable day after a quiet camp. The older brother of Spencer Fano logged 11 snaps and added a tackle on special teams.
He didn’t start, as Cleveland tried Michael Hall Jr. at left defensive end, which wasn’t exactly a vote of confidence for Fano. But he answered with production anyway, finishing with two run stuffs and four total tackles on defense.
With the battle for the No. 4 edge spot still open, Fano took a big step toward making that job his in preseason Week 2.
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Todd Monken made clear the call was not his alone, which only adds to the usual scrutiny around this position. With Jimmy Haslam having already acknowledged responsibility for the trade that brought Watson to Cleveland and staying involved in related decisions, the choice puts the organization back under the same spotlight that has followed it for years, with the real question now less about who starts and more about who ultimately owns the outcome. [Read more 🡒]