What To Watch For In Browns Preseason Opener Against Jaguars

But eyes shouldn’t just be on Watson.

Backup Jacoby Brissett and third-stringers Josh Rosen and Josh Dobbs will likely also get some looks.

For Rosen and Dobbs, it’s a chance to stake an early claim to the season.

For Brissett, it’s essentially an audition.

An audition that’s now all the more important given that the Browns are considering bringing in Jimmy Garropolo if Watson’s suspension is extended beyond the six games.

2. O-Line, Meet Travon Walker

Last week, the Jaguars played in the NFL’s annual Hall of Fame game against the Raiders.

The Jags struggled almost everywhere except one: Travon Walker.

Walker was the first pick in this summer’s draft.

The defensive lineman was a much-heralded prospect coming out of Georgia and he wasted little time making his presence felt.

And in just a few plays of service, he caused mayhem galore for the Raiders’ outgunned offensive line.

Cleveland’s offensive line is mighty talented.

And in all likelihood, most of the starters will see limited action.

Though the Browns have promised that many of the starters will play.

If the Jaguars send out Walker early and the Browns do the same with their offensive line, this will be an exciting and intriguing battle to watch.

3. Hunting For Minutes

While the Browns expect to play most of their starters, one name to keep an eye on is running back Kareem Hunt.

Hunt made waves last week after he made his desire for a new contract known to the team.

Put simply, Hunt sent an ultimatum Cleveland’s way: pay me or trade me.

Despite that, the Browns have little interest in trading Hunt, per Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com.

Hunt enters this season in the last year of a two-year, $12 million deal.

He’s been a serviceable backup for Browns star Nick Chubb, but might be angling for some added time elsewhere.

Will the Browns play Hunt in order to gauge his value?

Or will they bench him to keep him out of harm’s way should a trade package come along?