Browns vs. Rams: 5 matchups to watch in Cleveland's preseason finale

The start of the regular season for the Cleveland Browns is on the horizon, and parts of the team’s depth chart are already beginning to take shape. With roster cutdowns just a few days away, Saturday’s preseason finale against the Los Angeles Rams will serve as the final opportunity for players pushing for roster spots or starting roles to make their cases in an in-game setting.

After starting the preseason 2-0, the Browns will get a glimpse at their freshly-named starting quarterback, as the team is using Saturday’s game as a dress rehearsal. Both Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders are also expected to play, barring any injury setbacks in Sanders’ case. The Browns’ defense, however, won’t be facing a Rams team at full strength, as Los Angeles will be starting Dresser Winn at quarterback.

Here are five matchups to watch in the Browns’ preseason finale against the Rams:

The quarterbacks vs. the Rams' defense

Joe Flacco was named the Week 1 starting quarterback on Monday, finally putting an end to a quarterback competition that wasn’t all that competitive. Flacco and the starters will play between 25 and 30 plays, according to head coach Kevin Stefanski. This will mark the first time Flacco suits up for the Browns this preseason, and while his spot on the depth chart is entrenched heading into the regular season, it will be useful for Flacco to get some live action alongside the starting offense before facing the Cincinnati Bengals next month.

Flacco’s 2025 debut isn’t the only thing to watch, as the spots behind him are very much up for grabs. Kenny Pickett, who didn’t play in either of the Browns’ first two preseason games, will still be sidelined this weekend, meaning both Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders will see the field. The extra playing time – combined with the lack thereof from Pickett – could help one of the rookies push for the backup spot behind Flacco on the team’s initial regular-season depth chart.

The Browns’ signal-callers will be facing a Rams defense that is looking to improve on a middle-of-the-pack finish in most metrics in 2024. With defensive coordinator Chris Shula headed into year two as the Rams' defensive play-caller, the team added former Michigan edge rusher Josiah Stewart in the third round of April’s draft, as well as linebacker Chris Paul Jr. and nose tackle Ty Hamilton on day three.

The run game vs. the Rams' young defensive front

The Browns’ run game has been worth keeping an eye on all preseason so far, and Saturday won’t be any different, especially after Thursday’s report from Diana Russini that the Browns are one of several teams looking to add a veteran running back. Dylan Sampson and Jerome Ford didn’t play last week against the Eagles, and none of the players behind them on the depth chart have emerged as a clear candidate to take on any sort of role on the offense. With second-round pick Quinshon Judkins’ timeline for a return still very much up in the air, Saturday could be key for the Browns as they assess the position.

The Rams typically don’t play their starters in the preseason, so the Browns likely won’t be seeing Jared Verse or Braden Fiske on Saturday. The Browns’ run game will need to show some push against the Rams’ backup defensive line in order for the team to feel good about its stable of backs heading into the regular season.

Browns' young receivers vs. Rams' secondary

As the Browns inch closer to finalizing their roster and initial depth chart, Jamari Thrash and Gage Larvadain are the biggest wild cards in the Browns’ receiver room at the moment. Thrash is vying for the third receiver spot on Cleveland’s starting offense, and could seal the deal with a solid showing against the Rams. Larvadain, meanwhile, has made a strong push for a roster spot during the preseason, and likewise could use Saturday’s matchup to secure his spot.

New to the receiver room this week is Isaiah Bond, who the Browns signed last week to a fully-guaranteed three year deal. Bond went undrafted in April’s draft and announced his intention to sign with Cleveland after a Texas judge declined to charge Bond in a sexual assault case. The former Texas Longhorn will play for the first time this preseason against the Rams.

Former 6th-round pick Derion Kendrick and former Browns cornerback A.J. Green have seen playing time in both of the Rams’ first two preseason games and will likely be among those that this trio of receivers will face on Saturday as they look to solidify their roles.

Browns' dominant pass-rush vs. Rams' offensive line depth

Kevin Stefanski said on Thursday that all Browns veterans will be available to face the Rams, but that doesn’t necessarily mean we’ll see Myles Garrett on Saturday. If the first two preseason games are any indicator, that may not be much of a problem for the rest of the defensive line.

Rookie fifth-overall pick Mason Graham didn’t play against the Eagles but had a solid showing in the Browns’ preseason opener against the Panthers. Isaiah McGuire and Julian Okwara were both graded among the Browns’ best players against the Eagles, and will look to continue their dominance against a Rams offensive line that features some quality depth. Undrafted rookie defensive tackle Adin Huntington was also one of the Browns’ highest-graded players against Philadelphia, and Wednesday’s trade that sent defensive tackle Jowon Briggs to the New York Jets could open the door for Huntington to carve out a role on the team. 

Rams rookie TE Terrance Ferguson vs. the Browns' defense

One of the few players of note who will be playing for the Rams on Saturday is rookie tight end Terrance Ferguson. Outside of the first quarter of the opener when the Browns faced the Panthers’ starting offense, Cleveland’s defense hasn’t gotten much action against receiving weapons who are likely to play roles in the regular season for their respective teams. The Rams have big plans for Ferguson, who was selected with the 46th overall pick in April’s draft and holds multiple Oregon records for tight ends. While the Browns won’t be facing a true number one receiver, Ferguson’s presence will provide a glimpse into how capable the Browns’ defense is of defending true NFL-caliber playmakers.

This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns vs. Rams: 5 matchups to watch in Cleveland's preseason finale