The Cleveland Browns took on the New York Jets in the Hall of Fame Game and discovered three players who need to stick around and one that might have to go.
Overcoming a 13-point deficit and a 16-7 halftime deficit, the Cleveland Browns defended the state of Ohio with a 21-16 win over the New York Jets. This is despite the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game going into a blackout moment.
But that’s not the main point of the game, nor is a recap necessary. This is about celebrating those who will enter football immortality. Not to mention, this is when the bottom of the roster and the depth pieces are determined.
Most of the players seeing meaningful field time in games over the coming weeks are fighting for their football lives, either on the practice squad or the active roster. There are also those who could be cut yet be claimed almost immediately by another team and have their careers still intact. That is the most exciting part.
What’s not exciting is determining who played bad enough to be cut while praising those who did enough to stick around. Still, it’s a job that has to be done, so let’s take a look at three players from Thursday’s game who did enough to keep a locker and one that might need to get ready to receive his walking papers.
Browns player that earned a roster spot No. 3: RB John Kelly Jr.
Kelly carried the ball for much of the first half and, from the outskirts, looked like a player that can stay on the roster if this production keeps up for the rest of the preseason. But the road is stiff, as is the challenge.
Backing up Nick Chubb is not an easy task, considering the role Chubb plays in the Browns’ offense and the reliability that side of the ball has on the running game. Still, ten carries for 42 yards is not an alarming stat to have, showing a level of consistency. Having a receiving touchdown doesn’t hurt, either.
Demetric Felton may have had the only rushing touchdown for Cleveland, but Kelly showed that he deserves to stick around. It’s only a matter of staying consistent. So far, he’s shown flashes of it, but it’s up to him to build upon it.