The Cleveland Browns have been ravaged by injuries, but won each of their past two games. That’s in part because they’ve had young players step up and contribute.
The sheer number of injuries the Cleveland Browns suffered against the Jacksonville Jaguars forced the team to turn to a handful of young players they’ve added over the past two years. The returns were promising as five players made key contributions that helped the Browns secure a victory over both the Jaguars and Chicago Bears, a positive indication for the continuing viability of this team going forward.
Between the games against the Jaguars and Bears, the Browns were without their top three safeties. They also suffered a pair of injuries to their defensive line, testing their depth in that rotation. Despite the challenges, the Browns defense held up well, providing the offense enough opportunities to secure victories.
The offense, meanwhile, has been utilizing a few younger players for a larger portion of the season. Dawand Jones stepped in almost immediately at right tackle and thrived in pass protection before an injury ended his season. The team has continued to incorporate rookie Cedric Tillman since trading Donovan Peoples-Jones to the Detroit Lions. Against the Jaguars, second-year wide receiver David Bell scored a 41-yard touchdown on fourth down.
Due to the trade for quarterback Deshaun Watson, the Browns have had limited assets to add younger talent. Save for Martin Emerson Jr., who was good enough to force his way onto the field immediately, the rest of these players were added with a focus on the future. The organization is starting to see development, which is extending the viability of the roster, pushing them closer to clinching a postseason berth. The Browns have won their past two games, and these young players provided key contributions to make that happen.
Cedric Tillman, wide receiver
Tillman’s game against the Bears was marred by a bad read on the first interception from quarterback Joe Flacco. Flacco threw the ball where Tillman was supposed to go, and the Bears got a freebie, setting up their first touchdown. Tillman should have recognized the safety staying on top, then crossing into the middle of the field. Instead, he kept running up the seam, and the ball went right to Eddie Jackson.
Despite the costly mistake, Tillman was able to make a positive impact on the game. In no small part due to his size, Tillman has been a productive target working the middle of the field. He’s a big body that takes up a ton of space, making it easy to find with the football.
Tillman caught four passes for 52 yards against the Bears. He’s often asked to run curls and hitches, routes that allow him to set up shop and box out defenders from the ball. However, his best plays in this game included a slant off an RPO that went for 19 yards and a drag route that enabled the rookie wide receiver to get the ball to the one-yard line, setting up the team’s first touchdown of the game.
Tillman needs to get wiser. The Tennessee Volunteers’ offense was highly effective but didn’t ask for wide receivers to do a whole lot of problem-solving. He’s a little behind the learning curve, but if he can get that part of his game right, there’s a ton of potential for growth. Tillman has excellent hands, gets open, and he’s difficult to bring down after the catch.
Alex Wright, defensive end
Coming into the season with a veteran-laden front, Wright was getting the opportunity to find a role. After being an unprepared rookie who was thrown into the fire due to injuries and a lack of depth overall, this was a far better situation for Wright. Initially, that was going to be as a run-stopping base end that could spell Myles Garrett or Za’Darius Smith and then allow them back onto the field in obvious pass-rushing situations. Wright’s virtually the same size as Myles Garrett, and his length and power make him a great fit for playing the run and forcing the ball back inside. Wright hasn’t been great, but he’s had his moments, and he possesses a worthwhile skill set.
With Ogbonnia Okoronkwo down, the Browns leaned into Wright. Before the game against the Bears, Wright’s high snap total was 30 against the Denver Broncos. He had 10 games with 19 snaps or fewer.
Wright played 51 snaps against the Bears. He was able to record a sack-fumble, just his second on the season. He was able to beat the 10th pick in this year’s draft, Darnell Wright, getting to Fields to knock the ball out of his hand. The Bears recovered the ball.
Early in the fourth quarter, the Bears tried to run a jet sweep on a 3rd-and-1 situation. It’s a play that has continually gashed the Browns this season because someone would crash inside. This time, Wright immediately got up the field, grabbed Bears speedster Tyler Scott and tackled him for a three-yard loss. The Bears punted – one of their eight three-and-outs in the game.
Wright was also utilized on a few snaps as an interior rusher in this game when the Browns opted to keep Za’Darius Smith outside. This is something the Browns want Wright to be able to do with consistency, playing a similar role as Smith. Since the Browns are going to need him to continue to play more reps, that will be something that bears watching to see how much of an impact he can make. Depending on what Za’Darius Smith wants in order to re-sign, the Browns may need Wright to take on a more prominent role next season, potentially taking the role Smith had this season.
Cameron Mitchell, corner
Mitchell has been carving a role in the lineup but missed four games with a hamstring injury. Even with Denzel Ward playing, the Browns kept going to Mitchell in an effort to limit Ward’s exposure with the shoulder injury. The defense remained successful. This wasn’t one of Mitchell’s better performances all around, but he made one of the most critical plays in the game.
On the opening play of the fourth quarter, when the Bears went for it on 4th-and-1, quarterback Justin Fields kept the ball, sprinting out to his right, attempting to get past the sticks. Mitchell, the only player who had a chance to make the play, was able to extend his reach and get just enough of the foot of Fields that caused him to trip up short of the first down. The Browns took over on downs and started their comeback with a field goal.
Ronnie Hickman, safety
Watching Hickman at Ohio State, he thrived when he was able to play downhill. If he kept the game in front of him, he could react accordingly, making plays on the ball or scraping outside to track down tackles. Problems arose when he was asked to turn his back to the defense. In many ways, he seemed more suited to play a strong safety or box role.
However, Hickman has thrived in the last two games at the free safety position, including when he found out only minutes before the Jaguars game he’d have to start in place of Juan Thornhill. The former Buckeye has done a really nice job of getting enough depth to be able to keep the game in front of him, putting himself in the best position to play his game.
D’Anthony Bell, safety
Bell has largely been a special teams player to this point in his career, but in the past two games, he’s been needed on the defensive side of the ball. The second-year safety was pressed into duty when Grant Delpit suffered a groin injury against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Trevor Lawrence went right after him whenever he was lined up over Evan Engram. A difficult assignment, Bell gave up some receptions but was quick to limit the damage because he’s an effective tackler.
With a week of prep and other options at their disposal, it was unclear how much Bell would play against the Chicago Bears. Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz leaned into him, having him on the field for 35 defensive snaps. While he was pressed into a gameplan that was already made against the Jaguars, Schwartz crafted one against the Bears that allowed Bell to play in his comfort zone.
Leave a Reply