Dill on the Browns’ second preseason outing: Dillon Gabriel connected on 13 of 18 passes for 143 yards, delivering a crisp 71% completion rate and guiding Cleveland on a sustained opening drive before exiting at halftime. The eye-catching debut came with three Browns scoring drives and a first-half vibe of competence and ceiling, even as a busted-play pick-six lingered as a rough note.

The Cleveland defense stole the show, limiting Philadelphia to 88 yards on 44 plays and feeding off a growing rotation on the line. K.J. Henry’s quick-strike return of a Dorian Thompson-Robinson interception for a TD underscored the depth and potential pass rush. Undrafted receivers like Gage Larvadain and Ahmani Marshall flashed just enough to keep roster chatter buzzing, while Kaden Davis added another layer of reliability in the passing game.

With DTR mixing in, Gabriel’s strong first half promises meaningful competition for snaps in a Browns QB room that figures to hinge on development and depth mindfully. The non-starters formed a blueprint for the 53-man roster: a defense that can rotate without a drop-off and an offense with enough playmaking to keep defenses honest when the starters sit. Fantasy observers should monitor Gabriel’s command, the receiving corps’ growth, and how the Browns balance risk and upside in the final preseason tuneups.

Cleveland’s preseason opener highlighted a potential influx of disruptive pieces on defense. Rookie Carson Schwesinger flashed in limited action, posting 4 tackles and 2 assists over 13 snaps, with 3 run stops on five run-defense plays and a game-high run-defense grade per PFF. The Browns’ defensive line depth shone: Julian Okwara logged 2 sacks and 2 TFL, Alex Wright contributed a sack, and Adin Huntington added a sack and a TFL while racking up multiple special-teams stops. Mason Graham also saw 13 snaps with steady, if quiet, deployment. Carolina’s squad showed resilience, with Nathaniel Watson and Winston Reid racking tackles for the Panthers, and Chigozie Anusiem and Easton Mascarenas-Arnold among the defenders who hit solidly. The Browns allowed 1 TD, held Carolina to 25% on third down, logged 4 sacks and 251 yards allowed, underscoring a promising, depth-laden performance that could tilt roster decisions in the coming weeks. Fantasy takeaway centers on Schwesinger’s burst and the Browns’ edge rotation—Okwara and Wright in particular—plus the potential headline-grabbers at corner and depth linebackers vying for roles as the season nears.

Julian Okwara, previously a third-round pick by the Detroit Lions, has signed with the Cleveland Browns. The Browns have indicated that they plan to utilize Okwara primarily as a defensive end, moving away from his previous role as an outside linebacker. Okwara's tenure with the Lions included a standout season in 2021, where he recorded five sacks and 27 tackles, although injuries hindered his performance in subsequent years. His latest stint was with the Arizona Cardinals, where he played 13 games and had one sack last season. The financial details of his new contract with the Browns remain undisclosed.

The NFL landscape saw significant chaos in Week 8, with unexpected losses for the Baltimore Ravens and New York Jets. The Arizona Cardinals and Philadelphia Eagles pulled off surprising upsets, while the Kansas City Chiefs maintained their undefeated status.

As the season progresses, teams are reassessing their rosters, identifying weaknesses that need addressing through trades and the upcoming draft. Each team's needs range from defensive tackles to wide receivers, with various players being considered for trades or free agency acquisitions.