All News & Analysis

Grades for Browns-Bucs

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) throws against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first quarter of an NFL preseason football game Monday, Aug. 24, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Here are the top takeaways and highest-graded players fro the Browns-Bucs preseason game:

Buccaneers:

–Rookie quarterback Jameis Winston took a step back from last week's positive performance with a disappointing outing against the Browns. Winston was hampered by the pass-protection performance of his offensive line, as well as running back Doug Martin running into Winston during one of his pass attempts, almost resulting in an interception. However, his protection wasn't solely to blame, as Winston was inaccurate at times and continued to show a tendency for throwing passes that defenders are able to get their hands on. Winston ended up with a -2.3 grade for the game.

–Defensive linemen Lawrence Sidbury and William Gholston both made strong cases to stick around in back-end roster spots. Both showed exceptional quickness off of the snap to get into the backfield and disrupt running backs, as well as the ability to stand up and shed blockers. In only 42 combined snaps they totaled seven run stops.

–Rookie O-lineman Ali Marpet continued his preseason struggles in pass protection. In one four-play stretch he was beaten in pass protection, allowed a quarterback hit, committed a false start and gave up a sack. Marpet’s pass-protection grade in his 32 snaps amounted to a dismal -3.2.

–On the plus side for the offensive line, Evan Dietrich-Smith put up a great performance in his 32 snaps at center. Dietrich-Smith only allowed one quarterback hit, while posting the best run-block grade of any lineman on the night with a +2.3.

Top graded players:

  1. C Evan Dietrich-Smith (+3.8)
  2. DE Lawrence Sidbury (+2.3)
  3. DE William Gholston (+1.7)
  4. RT Gosder Cherilus (+1.5)
  5. DT Clinton McDonald (+1.4)

 

Browns:

–CB Charles Gaines allowed only one catch for four yards in the four passes thrown at him and earned the highest pass-coverage grade of any defensive player for the Browns this preseason with a +3.2 grade.

–DT Jamie Meder showed up well rushing the passer in 19 snaps, utilizing his strength in bull rushes to get to the quarterback. Meder also posted three stops in run defense, grading out at a +2.9 overall.

–QB Josh McCown delivered his best overall performance of the preseason, leading two long scoring drives and finishing them off with touchdown passes. McCown utilized his legs well, too, by getting out of sacks and gaining positive yardage amounting to a +1.1-rushing grade.

Top graded players:

  1. QB Josh McCown (+3.6)
  2. CB Charles Gaines (+3.2)
  3. OT Andrew McDonald (+2.1)
  4. DT Jamie Meder (+2.9)
  5. WR Travis Benjamin (+1.6)

All Featured Tools

Subscriptions

Unlock the 2023 Fantasy Draft Kit, with League Sync, Live Draft Assistant, PFF Grades & Data Platform that powers all 32 Pro Teams

$31 Draft Kit Fee + $8.99/mo
OR
$89.88/yr + FREE Draft Kit