Sports IllustratedAug 20, 20261 min read

3 Cleveland Browns Players With the Most to Gain in Second Preseason Game

Browns

Bills

Key takeaways

Shedeur Sanders is viewed as a strong candidate to start with the 1s, aiming to prove he belongs as the quarterback of the first unit; a Chicago game included a tough interception but also solid throws, including a 35-yard strike to Luke Floriea.
The team is evaluating the right guard position, with Teven Jenkins having started the first preseason game and shown solid play in limited action; KT Leveston has been pushing inside for more opportunities as the rotation evolves.
Sanders’ opportunity comes with the fan base rallying behind him on Lake Erie, heightening the stakes for a productive performance to secure a more consistent starting role.
Winston Reid contributed 6 total tackles (3 solo) across 32 snaps against Chicago, signaling potential as part of a competitive inside linebackers group alongside Easton Mascarenas-Arnold.
Reid and Mascarenas-Arnold formed a productive inside duo, helping the Browns accumulate 10 tackles as they evaluate depth behind Carson Schwesinger and Quincy Williams.
The first preseason game also highlighted the receivers, with KC Concepcion, Denzel Boston, and Isaiah Bond making an impact, including Concepcion’s lone touchdown, setting expectations for further production against Buffalo.

Cleveland’s second preseason matchup against Buffalo centers on players who stand to gain meaningful reps to secure roles, led by Shedeur Sanders’s bid to command the first-team offense, Teven Jenkins’ grip on the right guard spot, and Winston Reid strengthening the interior linebacker pipeline. Sanders faces high expectations after a Chicago outing punctuated by a notable interception but strong downfield connection, while Jenkins and KT Leveston continue a tense competition for the starting guard role. Reid’s 32 snaps demonstrated his potential to work into the linebacking corps amid a group of young backups. The Browns aim to translate early flashes from the receiver group and defense into sustained depth advantages as they look ahead to the regular season.

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Summary generated with AI from the original article by Sports Illustrated.

Key takeaways

Shedeur Sanders is viewed as a strong candidate to start with the 1s, aiming to prove he belongs as the quarterback of the first unit; a Chicago game included a tough interception but also solid throws, including a 35-yard strike to Luke Floriea.

The team is evaluating the right guard position, with Teven Jenkins having started the first preseason game and shown solid play in limited action; KT Leveston has been pushing inside for more opportunities as the rotation evolves.

Sanders’ opportunity comes with the fan base rallying behind him on Lake Erie, heightening the stakes for a productive performance to secure a more consistent starting role.

Winston Reid contributed 6 total tackles (3 solo) across 32 snaps against Chicago, signaling potential as part of a competitive inside linebackers group alongside Easton Mascarenas-Arnold.

Reid and Mascarenas-Arnold formed a productive inside duo, helping the Browns accumulate 10 tackles as they evaluate depth behind Carson Schwesinger and Quincy Williams.

The first preseason game also highlighted the receivers, with KC Concepcion, Denzel Boston, and Isaiah Bond making an impact, including Concepcion’s lone touchdown, setting expectations for further production against Buffalo.