Freddie Kitchens was among the few coaches who went against the grain and deployed his starting quarterback in Week 1 of the preseason. The Cleveland Browns squared off against the Washington Redskins with Baker Mayfield beginning the game under center.
On the first drive, the second-year passer quickly got into a rhythm and led the offense down the field. Mayfield capped off the possession with a 24-yard strike down the middle of the field to Rashard Higgins for a touchdown.
That would be the final play for Mayfield but the rest of the roster fed off of the early momentum and seized the game 30-10. Kitchens was happy to see all three areas of the team make plays to win the game.
In the previous week, Cleveland spent the week participating in joint practices with the Indianapolis Colts ahead of their second preseason game. Finally, on Saturday, both teams were able to face each other at full speed in an exhibition game.
For the second-straight week, the Browns ended up coming out with a victory by the score of 21-18. Here are the three biggest performances by the Browns in their second preseason game versus the Colts.
3. D.J. Montgomery (3 Receptions, 77 Yards)
The Browns are notably deep at the receiver position. A few guys are fighting for their chance to make the regular-season roster. Among these players: D.J. Montgomery.
He was signed by the Browns as an undrafted rookie earlier this offseason out of Austin Peay. Being at a smaller college, Montgomery wasn't invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, but he impressed with a 4.3 40-yard dash at his pro day.
Throughout training camp, the undrafted rookie wideout has flashed some potential. In his preseason debut, the wide receiver who played in the Ohio Valley Conference caught a 35-yard touchdown against the Redskins.
Montgomery carried that momentum into Cleveland's second exhibition game against the Colts. The 6-foot-1 wide receiver finished the game with three receptions for 77 yards, including a 32-yard catch downfield.
Again, making the Browns as a wide receiver is going to be tough to do, but Montgomery could be creating some tape for other teams to see.
2. D'Ernest Johnson (53 Rushing Yards, 3 Receptions, 26 Receiving Yards, 1 Touchdown)
Along with the wide receiver position, the Browns are deep at the running back spot. Currently, Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt will lead the way in the backfield while the rest of the guys compete for roles on the roster.
The preseason is for young players to earn their way onto NFL rosters. D'Ernest Johnson is doing a splendid job of doing just that. After receiving a light workload in Cleveland's preseason opener, the undrafted rookie running back rushed for 53 yards on 10 carries in Week 2 of the preseason.
Additionally, Johnson caught three passes for 26 yards with one of his receptions going for a six-yard touchdown. With Dontrell Hilliard missing the game due to injury, Johnson was able to showcase his skill set to the coaching staff.
In reality, if Johnson wants to make the roster, he will likely need to carve out a role on special teams. Regardless, Johnson is trending in the right direction in his development at running back.
1. Garrett Gilbert (13-19, 151 Yards, 2 Touchdowns)
In the Browns' preseason debut, Mayfield received just one drive under center. The 2018 No. 1 Pick led Cleveland to an opening drive touchdown with ease, completing six of his seven passes for 77 yards and a score.
After seeing his second-year quarterback deliver in Week 1 of the preseason, Kitchens turned to his two backup quarterbacks in the second week of the preseason. Garrett Gilbert and David Blough didn't disappoint against the Colts on Saturday.
Gilbert completed 68.4% of his passing attempts for 151 yards and two touchdowns through the air. The 28-year old quarterback is entering his sixth season in the NFL and is trying to find a permanent home in the league.
Through two preseason games, Gilbert seems to have secured the backup quarterback spot behind Mayfield. Before joining the Browns in 2019, the veteran quarterback spent time with the Carolina Panthers and Oakland Raiders in recent seasons.
For Gilbert to solidify his role on the team, he must continue showing consistency in the last two games of the preseason. His next chance to take the field will be against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 3 of the preseason.
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