CLEVELAND — The first chance the Browns have to see players different from the same ones they've seen even all the way back to the offseason program arrives Saturday.
The first preseason game — in this case, a 4:25 p.m. kickoff against the Green Bay Packers — doesn't draw the same level of overreaction as the first regular-season game. Want to see some hot takes? Wait until after the Sept. 8 opener against the Dallas Cowboys .
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Still, there will be some wild opinions drawn from what happens on the lakefront Saturday. Those may involve some of the things that follow, which includes three storylines and three players to watch as the Browns play the Packers.
What Cleveland Browns starters will actually play against Green Bay Packers?
Both coaches, Kevin Stefanski for the Browns and Matt LaFleur for the Packers, have said they're going to play their starters in Saturday's game. The best estimate is that both teams give their No. 1s a couple of series, roughly 10 plays, in order to knock off some of the rust before they return to the sideline and throw on a bucket hat to watch the rest of the game.
LaFleur has said quarterback Jordan Love will play for the Packers. Stefanski has said quarterback Deshaun Watson won't play for the Browns.
Stefanski is electing to err on the side of caution with regards to not just Watson, but almost anyone who is injured or has been injured this camp. Myles Garrett, last season's NFL Defensive Player of the Year, almost certainly won't play — his coach essentially said that Tuesday — but the question is, who else is on that list?
The players currently on an injury list, obviously, won't play. Left guard Joel Bitonio hasn't played in a preseason game in years, so don't expect him.
Other than that, it will be interesting to see who the Browns announce 90 minutes before the game won't be in uniform. Also, who will be but won't be on the field.
Who will be this year's Dawand Jones for Cleveland Browns?
The Browns played an extra preseason game last year in the Hall of Fame Game, which shifted some of Stefanski's planning from what he'd normally does about these games. However, it was in that first preseason game that then-rookie right tackle Dawand Jones made his first impression by playing every single offensive snap.
That game was the coming-out party for Jones, a fourth-round pick out of Ohio State who had plenty of questions. He had looked shaky in rookie minicamp, but shined not just in that preseason opener, but once he eventually took over for an injured Jack Conklin after Conklin's Week 1 injury.
So, who could this year's breakout player be for the Browns? Second-round pick Mike Hall Jr., another former Buckeye, is going to have a chance to capitalize on what should be significant preseason reps because of the injury situation at defensive tackle.
Second-year wide receiver Cedric Tillman is another player who has a chance to really make a move. The former third-round pick has been solid both in the offseason and through the first two weeks of training camp.
What does the new kickoff rule look like in a game?
The change to the kickoff has been one of the most talked-about things in the NFL since the new rule was passed in March. Now, finally, Browns fans get to see how their team utilizes the new rule.
Well, sort of. Special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone made it clear earlier in the week that he didn't expect teams to really show their hand with regards to wrinkles in their schemes.
The Hall of Fame Game last week was the first time it was seen in a game, and the Houston Texans and Chicago Bears combined for eight kickoffs. Of those eight, seven were returned, which was the point of the rule.
Seeing if those numbers are replicated by two different teams will be a big part of Saturday's game.
3 Cleveland Browns players to watch against Green Bay Packers
Dorian Thompson-Robinson, quarterback
If this was an old-school quarterback competition, Thompson-Robinson's big camp would be talked about much more. He's been the most consistent quarterback of the Browns' four quarterbacks in camp. The 2023 fifth-round pick has looked sharp and thrown the ball with more arm strength and accuracy than he did at anytime during his rookie season. The only problem for him is that Watson is entrenched as the starter, and Jameis Winston — who'll start against the Packers — is the backup. Still, games like Saturday are an opportunity for Thompson-Robinson to show his continued development.
David Bell, wide receiver
If there's another player beyond Thompson-Robinson who's stood out during camp on offense, it's Bell. The 2022 third-round pick has made just about all of the catches through two weeks. He's made catches while open, catches while tightly covered and every other catch in between. Bell may never wow anyone with his speed or by making some kind of out-of-this-world highlight-reel catch. What Bell has shown, though, is the ability to catch the ball. That seems like a pretty good trait for someone who plays wide receiver in the NFL to have in their arsenal.
Mike Hall Jr., defensive tackle
As was previously mentioned, Hall has a chance to really make a statement, starting Saturday. The injury situation at defensive tackle almost assures that just about all of the players at that position are going to play, and many of them are going to play deep into the game. Hall would be an obvious choice to get a lot of those reps because of where he was drafted and the fact it's going to be his first NFL game, albeit a preseason one. He's drawn hefty praise from many of the veteran defensive linemen so far during training camp. Saturday's a chance to start showcasing that to those outside of the building.
Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Browns vs. Green Bay Packers preseason opener: 3 storylines, 3 players to watch
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