Questions remain for the Browns as the preseason nears its end

The Cleveland Browns are just a few days away from their final preseason game. The organization is also under a week away from cutting the roster down to their final 53-man roster. It is a huge couple of days for the state of the franchise and for the players on the team. With just a few days left, there are still some big questions regarding the overall team and some of the bigger name players on the team. Let’s take a look at the players and overall questions that are still hanging out there with under a week away before the final roster decisions will have to be made.

Big name players with questions to answer:

1. Seth DeValve

DeValve has been missing for most of training camp and the preseason due to a nagging quad injury. He is a tight end with the ability to be a mismatch in the passing game. He has shown the capability to be productive on the field but has not shown the consistency as of yet. His injury this offseason has derailed his chances of showing the coaches that he can be a mainstay in the passing game. It has opened the door to Devon Cajuste to possibly take the final tight end spot on the depth chart. As the quote goes, “You can’t make the club in a tub.” David Njoku and Darren Fells are the top two in the depth chart, with the final spot going to either DeValve or Cajuste.

2. Jeff Janis

Janis has been pretty quiet this preseason. He was not expected to be a huge contributor on offense. His value would be on special teams. Recently, Browns Head Coach Hue Jackson said he would prefer to keep six wide receivers. This would likely mean Janis is competing for the final spot on the receiver depth chart. Cleveland will have to decide whether they will keep Janis or look outside the organization on the waiver wire. Janis will have a big chance on Thursday to show off his value in the final preseason game.

3. Shon Coleman

Coleman started the preseason as the starting left tackle. He has now fallen down the depth chart to the second team, competing against Greg Robinson for a backup spot. Coleman is not even in the conversation anymore for a starting spot and has dropped all the way to a bubble spot on the roster. His standing on the roster is quite shaky. The coaches quickly saw that Coleman was not a starting tackle at this point, making the move to go with Joel Bitonio at left tackle. Coleman needs a strong showing on Thursday to solidify a spot on the roster, but that may not be enough. He may be the odd man out.

4. Nate Orchard

Orchard has had his opportunities in the preseason, but he has struggled to finish on the field. The Browns have a loaded edge rushing group, so Orchard is in a fight for a final spot on the depth chart. The final preseason game could be a huge showcase for Orchard and his standing on the team. Carl Nassib is likely the man Orchard will have to compete against and so far this preseason, Nassib has played at a higher level. Orchard looks to be the odd man out.

5. Caleb Brantley

Brantley is a player with a load of athletic talent, but he has only shown flashes so far in his career and the preseason this year. He is not likely to be on the bubble given the slim depth in the interior defensive line. But, Brantley is trying to show that he can be a lineman who can contribute on a regular basis. He has yet to show the staff the ability to be consistent and so he will not be trusted as a regular. A waiver wire addition could push him even further down the depth chart.

6. Trevon Coley

Coley has missed most of the preseason with an injury to his ankle. The injury has caused him to lose his starting job in the interior defensive line. His standing on the roster is stronger than Brantley, but his status as a major contributor on the defensive line is taking a hit. And with a possible addition to the interior defensive line, his status could take an even bigger hit. Coley needs to show he is healthy and ready to be a contributor as soon as possible.

Overall team questions:

Will Josh Gordon be ready and be the answer to complete the WR unit?

The Browns wide receiver corps is missing a true No. 1 receiver. Josh Gordon can be that player, but can he ultimately be that receiver? We just don’t know. It is looking like Gordon will not play in the preseason and will likely take his first snaps in a game when the Browns start the regular season against Pittsburgh. The Browns wide receivers unit needs a player who can take the defense’s attention. Against Philadelphia, the receivers struggled to get open without Gordon and Antonio Callaway on the field. Can Gordon stay clean, return to his previous form and complete the Browns wide receiver position?

Can Kevin Zeitler settle down the offensive line?

The Browns offensive line has its ups and downs so far this preseason. It has seen a lot of shuffling over the course of the preseason, but one of the biggest hits has come from the absence of right guard Kevin Zeitler. Can Zeitler be the missing piece to ultimately settle down the unit? I think so. The Browns are looking like they will go with Joel Bitonio at left tackle, Austin Corbett at left guard, J.C. Tretter at center, Kevin Zeitler at right guard and Chris Hubbard at right tackle. I like this combination. I think Zeitler will be a settling piece for the offensive line and form a solid unit for the offense. But if the Browns suffer an injury, depth will be an issue. Depth could be a big target for the team going into the waiver wire period. 

Can the Browns find some depth at the interior defensive line? 

The Browns interior defensive line is thin, very thin. It has a bright young star in Larry Ogunjobi, but beyond him, there are a lot of questions. Jamie Meder is a run-stuffing defensive lineman with limited pass rushing ability. Trevon Coley showed some flashes last season, but he has been missing all preseason with an injury. Caleb Brantley is another physically talented guy but has shown only spurts of his talent on the field. Chad Thomas may be a player the Browns choose to keep inside as a rotational interior defensive lineman, but he is a rookie who struggled with production in college. The Browns No. 1 objective before the season should be to address the interior defensive line. They need help.

How will the defensive secondary settle out?

The Browns defensive secondary has been a very interesting position to watch this preseason. There were so many open spots on the depth chart, including starting spots. At corner, Denzel Ward is the only concrete player in the depth chart. He is the starter. But, who will fill out the rest of the unit? Terrance Mitchell is playing well and could be the leader in the clubhouse to start alongside Ward. With E.J. Gaines out with an injury, it has caused the unit to be very fluid. At safety, the positions are really interesting. Damarious Randall is the expected starter at free safety, but Briean Boddy-Calhoun has been a productive player throughout his young career, so keeping him off the field will be hard. Boddy-Calhoun will be a player to watch in terms of how the Browns will use him. At strong safety, Jabrill Peppers and Derrick Kindred are competing for the starting job. Peppers is in the lead, but Kindred cannot be overlooked. The defensive secondary is still very fluid right now.