How did each position grade out against the Eagles? Let's take a deeper look
The Cleveland Browns secured their second preseason victory with a promising win over the Philadelphia Eagles. The team put together a solid overall performance, with some game-changing plays from key position groups.
The offense started with rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel under center for his NFL debut. Despite a lack of results on the scoreboard, the offense managed to produce 331 total yards. This only led to a few scoring drives, including a single touchdown, but it was enough to keep the Browns ahead of the Eagles for most of the game.
Cleveland’s defense was dominant on almost all fronts, particularly along the defensive line. Despite recording only one sack, the team held the Eagles’ rushing attack to just 1.7 yards per carry and 33 total rushing yards. Linebacker Easton Mascarenas-Arnold led the team with seven total tackles in what was another impressive showing from Jim Schwartz’s defense.
Let’s now take a look at the grades for the Browns’ position groups in their preseason victory against the Philadelphia Eagles:
Quarterbacks: C-
Dillon Gabriel got the starting nod while the Browns dealt with quarterback injuries, sidelining both Kenny Pickett and Shedeur Sanders. Gabriel’s preseason debut featured some ups and downs, along with flashes of his playmaking ability. He finished 13-of-18 for 143 yards but also committed two turnovers. Despite the ugly stat line, he delivered some impressive throws and showed decent overall decision-making.
Tyler “Snoop” Huntley followed with another solid showing, completing 10 of his 13 passes. Like Gabriel, he failed to find the end zone but led some productive drives with sharp throws. It still appears unlikely that Huntley will stick in Cleveland, as he most likely showcased his talents for another NFL franchise. Overall, it was a good enough outing from the quarterbacks to secure the win.
Running Backs: B+
A big chunk of the offensive production came from the run game. Pierre Strong Jr. led the team in both carries and rushing yards with an impressive performance. He finished with 89 rushing yards on 13 carries, averaging 6.8 yards per attempt.
The other notable contributor was backup running back Ahmani Marshall, who quickly went to work with a four-yard touchdown on the Browns’ opening drive. In total, he finished with 25 yards on just six carries. This final preseason game could decide the RB3 job between Strong Jr. and Marshall.
Wide Receivers and Tight Ends: C+
It was another successful day for wide receivers Kaden Davis and Gage Larvadain, who each caught three passes and combined for 87 receiving yards following their strong performances last week. Both continue to fight for a spot on the final 53-man roster. Projected WR3 Jamari Thrash was also a key contributor with 43 yards on a team-leading four receptions.
It was a quiet day for the tight ends. Sal Cannella led the group with three catches for 15 yards, but the lack of quarterback production didn’t help their case. More will be needed from Cannella, Bates, and the rest of the group in the preseason finale against the Los Angeles Rams.
Offensive Line: B+
It was encouraging to see strong play from the Browns’ depth along the offensive line. The group helped push the run game to 132 rushing yards while also producing some standout PFF grades. Guards Teven Jenkins and Javion Cohen stole the show with team-leading overall grades of 83.7 and 83.4. This puts second-year guard Zak Zinter in a tough position as he fights for a roster spot.
Right tackle Jackson Barton and center Luke Wypler also impressed. Among 78 centers, Wypler currently holds the NFL’s best preseason pass-blocking grade at 86.7. Barton posted a 75.6 pass-blocking grade against the Eagles’ rush. Both played a respectable 39 snaps in the win.
Defensive Line: A
If you watched the game, you won’t be surprised that the defensive line was the best unit of the day. One of the standouts was defensive end Isaiah McGuire, who notched two tackles and a sack on only six snaps. Fellow defensive end Julian Okwara added three tackles and a quarterback hit that forced an interception.
The question isn’t whether the Browns will keep talent along the defensive line—it’s who they’ll be forced to cut. With so much depth, several strong performers may not make the final roster.
Linebackers: B
The linebackers who needed a strong performance delivered. Easton Mascarenas-Arnold led the team with seven tackles, including one for loss, while Nathaniel Watson added four. Both are fighting for a roster spot and could be battling through the final preseason game.
Veteran Jerome Baker also made the most of limited reps, recording two tackles and an 81.0 PFF grade in just 10 snaps. His roster spot seems secure, but others in the room still have work to do in the finale against the Rams.
Defensive Backs: B+
Thanks in large part to the pass rush, it was a quiet but effective day for the secondary. The Browns allowed just 55 passing yards, one touchdown, and came away with an interception. Cornerback Nik Needham impressed with an 80.1 coverage grade on 28 snaps, while Christian Holmes led the group with an 85.9 grade on just four snaps.
Strong safety Donovan McMillon also stood out for the second straight week, posting a 79.6 grade after earning a 69.2 against the Panthers. His emergence could create tough roster decisions for head coach Kevin Stefanski, who must weigh these preseason flashes when determining defensive back rotations for the regular season.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns report card: Positional grades in preseason win vs. Eagles
Category: Football
