Cleveland Browns fans were treated to a delight of a performance by rookie QB DeShone Kizer in the Browns opening preseason matchup on Thursday evening, as Cleveland rookies stole the show in a 20-14 victory over the New Orleans Saints.
No. 1 overall selection Myles Garrett impressed and with that, we give you our PFF exclusive takeaways from the contest for each team.
Top 5 Grades
DI Trevon Coley, 86.3 overall grade
EDGE Tyrone Holmes, 85.6 overall grade
EDGE Nate Orchard, 84.6 overall grade
QB DeShone Kizer, 83.2 overall grade
G Joel Bitonio, 80.6 overall grade
Performances of note:
QB DeShone Kizer, 83.2 overall grade
Kizer looked sharp in his preseason debut, showing veteran-like movement in the pocket and displaying his arm strength on his way to an 83.2 overall grade. He completed 5-of-10 passes under pressure for 126 yards and a 129.2 passer rating. He was also an impressive 2-of-2 on deep passes for 97 yards.
G Joel Bitonio, 80.6 overall grade
Bitonio was the Browns highest graded offensive lineman as he kept the pocket clean on 19 pass block snaps for a pass block efficiency of 100.0.
DI Trevon Coley, 86.3 overall grade
Highlighted by his strip sack on QB Garrett Grayson, Coley had an all-around impressive performance as he recorded an additional two run stops. Coley's only pressure in the game was the strip sack but he was consistent against the run as he caused fits for the interior OL of the Saints. His 89.8 run defense grade was a game-high.
EDGE Tyrone Holmes, 85.6 overall grade
Holmes had an up-and-down game as a run defender but where he shined was rushing the passer, as he finished off the Saints with a strip sack on fourth down in the final moments of the game. He recorded an additional sack and a hurry that forced a throwaway. He totaled a pass-rush productivity mark of 25.0 on just 11 pass-rush snaps.
Top 5 Grades
WR Tommylee Lewis, 93.0 overall grade
LB Alex Anzalone, 84.3 overall grade
EDGE Al-Quadin Muhammad, 83.3 overall grade
CB De'Vante Harris, 81.9 overall grade
EDGE Hau'oli Kikaha, 80.6 overall grade
Performances of note:
WR Tommylee Lewis, 93.0 overall grade
Lewis was the favorite target of both Saints quarterbacks. His overall grade of 93.0 tops all wide receivers thusfar in preseason action as do his 11 targets and 10 receptions. With a passer rating of 143.9 when targeted, Lewis was also efficient gaining 3.65 yards per route run.
HB Alvin Kamara, 76.1 overall grade
With both Mark Ingram and Adrian Peterson taking the night off, Kamara got to showcase his talents albeit on just four carries. He forced one missed tackle on his big 22-yard carry as he averaged a whopping 9.0 yards per carry after contact and an elusive rating of 225.0.
LB Alex Anzalone, 84.3 overall grade
Equally adept at stopping the run and dropping in coverage, rookie Alex Anzalone impressed in his 39 snaps. The former Florida Gator allowed just five yards on three targets as he showed solid ability to close on underneath throws. He only faced nine run plays but showed good ability to cut off running lanes, earning a team-high 81.4 run defense grade.
EDGE Al-Quadin Muhammed, 83.3 overall grade
Muhammad recorded a game-high six quarterback hurries while also recording a sack. His 51 defensive snaps were the most by a Saints defender, all of his 37 pass-rush snaps came from the right side. He notched a pass-rush productiviy of 14.9.
PFF Game Ball: DeShone Kizer, QB
*Grades are subject to change
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