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The Cleveland Browns will kick off their first preseason game Saturday in Chicago.
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The game could be the lone opportunity for some fringe Browns players to show what they are capable of before being released.
Here are four Browns to keep an eye on in the first preseason game.
Dawand Jones, Offensive Tackle
Jones went from challenging Spencer Fano for the starting left tackle job to now competing for a roster spot. Jones, who is also recovering from a catastrophic, season-ending leg injury, was challenged by head coach Todd Monken.
“I’ve been awfully proud of Dawand, what he’s done in the offseason to get himself into shape and his body looks like it is, but at this point, Spencer is playing better,” Monken said. “Now, once that happens, you’re not just competing to maybe be the right tackle if something happens … you’re also competing for a roster spot.”
Jones is blocked by two first-round tackles, and he lacks the versatility of some of the offense linemen around him, since he has only played tackle in his NFL career. He’ll need to have a good showing Saturday.
Dillon Gabriel, Quarterback
So much is being made of the Shedeur Sanders vs. Deshaun Watson debate, but Gabriel is a distant third on the depth chart.
Gabriel is having a great camp but is getting swallowed up by the high-profile QB1 controversy, to the point where some fans undoubtedly forget he is on the roster.
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Watson will probably start, and Sanders will play after him. But Gabriel needs to take advantage of his time on the field to either get in the conversation or at least find new scenery via trade.
Nathaniel Watson, Linebacker
Reigning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Carson Schwesinger is nursing an unidentified injury, which has opened the door for Watson, who missed all of last season with a torn biceps, to play in that role.
But Winston Reid and Easton Mascarenas-Arnold are also pushing Watson for playing time, especially in Schwesinger’s absence. The DROY will be back soon, and those three are competing for one spot alongside Schwesinger and free-agent signing Quincy Williams.
Ronnie Hickman, Safety
This is a huge season for Hickman, since it’s a contract year for him, and the Browns don’t owe him any guaranteed money
Hickman is, of course, trying to hold off second-round draft pick Emmanuel McNeil-Warren for their starting free safety spot alongside Grant Delpit. It seems inevitable that McNeil-Warren will overtake Hickman, the same way Fano leaped Jones for the left tackle spot, but Hickman’s future in the NFL is on the line, which makes game reps important.
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This story was originally published August 11, 2026 at 10:45 AM.