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The Browns play the Commanders in the first week of the preseason. Rookie matchups between the teams are examined.
The Cleveland Browns host the Washington Commanders for their second preseason game Friday.
The game should feature several intriguing rookie matchups. It is important to note, that due to the nature of preseason football games and rookie development, these matchups may not happen during the game.
With that said, here’s a look at three rookie matchups to watch between the Browns and Commanders.
Which players have the biggest opportunities to prove themselves on Friday
The NFL preseason is full of opportunities for young players and veterans trying to battle for a roster spot with one of the 32 teams. There was some exciting play last Thursday when the Browns played the New York Jets with another opportunity on Friday as Cleveland hosts the Washington Commanders.
The team is dealing with injuries in the past week which will open opportunities to other players with three remaining preseason games. The defensive line has the most chances with Alex Wright and Isaiah Thomas having surgery and missing several weeks.
There are five players that I am specifically watching this weekend to see if they can seize the opportunity in front of them.
Which players saw their stock change the most on Thursday
There were a lot of young players that got the chance to prove themselves in Thursday night’s Pro Football Hall of Fame Game. The Cleveland Browns didn’t play any major stars but there was plenty to like especially from this year’s rookie class. Dorian Thompson-Robinson was electric while tackle Dawand Jones played the entire game and did so at a high level.
Cedric Tillman showed his toughness and physicality while defensive tackle Siaki Ika showed he can develop into a decent run defender someday. Those weren’t the only players to play well while others struggled you can click here to watch this episode as the winners and losers are all broken down.
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What are the biggest takeaways from the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game?
The Pro Football Hall of Fame Game has now come and gone as the Cleveland Browns have beat the New York Jets by a score of 21-16. While 37 players did not dress, including every player who is expected to contribute in a significant manner, we did get to see every member of the 2023 NFL draft class.
On the heels of celebrating legendary left tackle Joe Thomas, what stood out the most from this game against the Jets?
We are officially back as we bring you the first 4 Downs of the 2023 season!
Who are you most excited to watch as the Browns take on the Jets in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game?
We have finally arrived. We have real live Cleveland Browns football tonight as they take on the New York Jets in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game. We will get to see the 2023 NFL draft class in the brown and orange for the first time, and while most of the veterans will sit this one out, we will get to see those fighting for a roster spot have the opportunity to shine.
In this edition of Browns Wire Roundtable, the staff discusses who we are most excited to watch as the team takes the field in Canton, Ohio tonight.
The first team is all but filled out, but what position battles are worth monitoring?
We are still about a month out from the Cleveland Browns returning to Berea for training camp. And for the most part, it should be a rather uninteresting one in terms of positional battles at key positions in 2023 after general manager Andrew Berry remained aggressive this offseason to add talent at needed spots on the depth chart.
However, there are a few depth positions that could provide a bit of intrigue when camp arrives to keep an eye on. Here are three battles worth monitoring when the Browns get back in the building later next month.
Dawand Jones rounds out the Brown’s draft class as all drafted rookies are now signed. #GoBucks
The Cleveland Browns have now signed all seven of their 2023 draft picks. The final piece of the class being fourth-round pick and former Ohio State offensive tackle, Dawand Jones.
After some prognosticators saw Jones as a potential late first-round pick, the big man was still available early on day three of the draft. The Browns saw the potential in the former Buckeye with his huge frame and excellent play in Scarlet and Gray.
There were rumors that Jones’ draft stock tumbled because of weight issues as well as a story of NBA dreams. Jones put that rumor to rest questioning where people even come up with this kind of stuff.
We have signed T Dawand Jones.
All seven of our 2023 draft picks have now been signed.
📰 » https://t.co/eKPoBmCFnL pic.twitter.com/FkcfT0pmhq
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) May 22, 2023
The details of Jones’ contract were not released. However, it is known that he signed a standard four-year rookie contract which is believed to be worth around $4.6 million with close to $800,000 in signing bonus money. Those numbers are estimates according to Spotrac.com.
Now the real work begins for Jones as he looks to take on the challenge of the NFL.
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The Browns have signed all of their 2023 selections.
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The 2023 NFL draft class for the Cleveland Browns is now completely under contract after offensive tackle Dawand Jones agreed to his rookie contract. Many were shocked on draft weekend when the former Ohio State product fell to the fourth round after having a productive career at Ohio State.
During media availability at rookie minicamp Jones admitted that the team and coach Bill Callahan were cross-training him to play both left tackle and right tackle. Jones has the skill set to be a long-term starter at right tackle while providing quality depth on the offensive line during his rookie season.
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Jones could easily be the long term answer at right tackle.
It was a bit of a surprise in April when Ohio State offensive tackle Dawand Jones dropped to the fourth round of the 2023 NFL draft and into the lap of the Cleveland Browns. Jones is a massive player at 6-foot-8 and 360 pounds that has a intriguing skill set. At that size, Jones moves well laterally and climbs to the second level in the run game.
The Browns took Jones because of his tremendous upside despite some off-the-field issues that led to him falling in the draft. If you think that you can win with a bull rush against Jones you’d be thinking wrong. He has some technical issues that need to be corrected but the Browns have the coaches to fix them.
You can watch this episode by clicking here.
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A look at all the jersey numbers new Ohio State rookies will be wearing in the various minicamps. #GoBucks
NFL rookie camps have begun in earnest for many teams in the league, and that means the six drafted former Ohio State players, as well as some undrafted free agents, have begun the next step of their football journey.
To do that, each of those players had to be assigned a jersey number by their new team. Some may not change from what they wore in the colors of Scarlet and Gray. Others will change because of the NFL’s numbering system or because a current player on the team already has the number spoken for.
Regardless, we know all of those jersey numbers for former Buckeyes newly minted as NFL players, so here’s a rundown of what C.J. Stroud, Paris Johnson, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba will wearing during rookie minicamps and perhaps beyond.
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