Who's under a microscope in Browns' preseason game vs. Buffalo Bills?

CLEVELAND ― The Browns come home for their first preseason game. However, it'll be their second time facing the Buffalo Bills in the last three days.

The two teams spent about two hours on Aug. 20 competing in a joint practice in Berea. This time, many of their players who didn't get quite the number of snaps as those at the top of the depth chart did in the practice will get their moment in the game between the teams.

For the Browns, though, there will be a handful of starters who do play, including both players competing to be the starting quarterback. Shedeur Sanders will get to start the game and play the first half, and Deshaun Watson will play the third quarter.

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Coach Todd Monken has also indicated that some of the "younger" players among the first group will also play some in the game. That likely means wide receivers KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston, among others.

Regardless of which starters may or may not be playing for either team, there are still a number of players under the microscope each time the Browns play a preseason game. There also are whole position groups in the same boat.

To preview the preseason game between the Browns and Bills, let's dive into those most under the microscope.

Cleveland Browns position group under the microscope vs. Buffalo Bills: Cornerbacks

There's no one questioning who the top two cornerbacks are with Denzel Ward and Tyson Campbell. Myles Harden looks like he's solidly in the nickelback spot. After that remains a mystery that only deepens as injuries have picked apart many of those behind Ward and Campbell. Rookie Michael Coats Jr. has emerged as one of the bright spots and has a chance to potentially solidify his spot with another strong performance. Tre Avery is another player who could take a step toward securing a spot, as he has become the backup to Campbell, who has missed time in camp with a minor injury.

5 Cleveland Browns players under the microscope vs. Buffalo BillsCarsen Ryan, tight end

The Browns' tight end group has been just hammered by injuries, a personal absence and a Louisiana court ruling that has opened the door for undrafted rookie Dae'Quan Wright to go back to play college football. Ryan, though, has managed to stay on the field and continuing to increase his workload. He's also taken advantage of the absence of veteran fullback Michael Burton to get more snaps as the primary fullback. The seventh-round draft pick's value only increases as he can add responsibility and versatility.

Raheim Sanders, running back

Eyebrows were raised a slight bit in the preseason opener when Ahmani Marshall was the third running back up after Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson. It was only a surprise because Raheim Sanders had seemed mostly likely to be RB3. Monken said the day after the game in Chicago that it was an "or" situation between Marshall and Sanders. During the joint practice, Sanders may have given reason to believe the "or" could be removed and the job move toward being his with a couple of really impressive runs. That was one day, though, which means following up with a strong performance in the game could help him a lot.

Shedeur Sanders, quarterback

Of course Sanders was going to be one of the five. In a lot of ways, this could be his last stand in the competition. There's a feeling the decision to announce Watson as the starter could be coming early next week with the final preseason game, which often is a dress rehearsal game, on Aug. 27. However, Sanders has his opportunity in the first two quarters of this game to make one of his final arguments for the job, at least to open the season. There's really not much more that needs to be said.

Khordae Sydnor, defensive end

The undrafted free agent rookie has been running No. 3 behind Jared Verse and Julian Okwara at right defensive end. However, the injuy to Alex Wright, depending on the full severity, could create a need for Sydnor to add depth. Logan Fano, who's listed at No. 3 behind Wright and Isaiah McGuire at the left end spot, is the other defensive end who could elevate his stock. Regardless, one of the two could ride a big game into a critical final week of training camp with a chance to make the initial 53-man roster.

Zak Zinter, guard

The 2024 third-round pick has missed some time in camp with an injury. However, since returning to practice he's been working at left guard with the second group, especially after Jack Conley was released earlier this week. Zinter has struggled to gain traction as a regular since coming into the league, save for a difficult stretch as a rookie starter. The Browns have been working a number of different linemen at the guard spots behind Zion Johnson and Teven Jenkins. Zinter needs a strong finish to the preseason to secure his spot.

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Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ. Sign up for Browns Insider newsletter at https://profile.beaconjournal.com/newsletters/browns-insider/.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Who's under a microscope in Browns' preseason game vs. Buffalo Bills?

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