Just hours removed from the Browns first preseason loss since 2016, we're checking out who stood out for Cleveland in its 19-17 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
RB Carlos Hyde
After a sluggish first week, the Browns offense ran the ball at will against the Bills, and Hyde was integral in that effort. Hyde toted the ball on the first three Browns carries of the game. They went for 3, 9 and 26 yards respectively. His 26-yard burst was his most memorable as he shoved Bills safety Jordan Poyer to the FirstEnergy Stadium grass with a strong stiff-arm on his way to the big play. To cap the drive off, Hyde busted around the right side for a 4-yard touchdown run, which set an early tone for the Browns. Hyde finished with nine carries for 64 yards and the score.
DE Myles Garrett
The Browns first-team defense surrendered just 22 yards on 12 snaps. Perhaps none of Cleveland's starters had quite the impact of Garrett. The official stats didn't credit him with a tackle in the game, but it didn't have to. His presence was felt every time Bills starter AJ McCarron dropped back to pass. Garrett was a bully for Bills left tackle Dion Dawkins, who seemed to be in a continuous back-pedal as Garrett rushed the quarterback. Although he was hurt much of his rookie campaign, he still had seven sacks. After an impressive showing against Buffalo, he'll likely surpass that total early in the 2018 season.
Cleveland plays Buffalo Friday at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Cleveland Browns running back Carlos Hyde (34) rushes for a 4-yard touchdown during the first half of an NFL football preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Tyrod Taylor throws during the first quarter of the team's NFL football preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns running back Carlos Hyde, left, rushes for a 4-yard touchdown during the first half of an NFL football preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns linebacker Joe Schobert keeps watch during the first half of an NFL football preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi celebrates a sack in the first half of an NFL football preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Tyrod Taylor gives instructions during the first half of an NFL football preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Tyrod Taylor looks to pass during the first half of an NFL football preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns running back Duke Johnson runs for a first down in the first half of an NFL football preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns running back Carlos Hyde (34) rushes during the first half of the team's NFL football preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns running back Carlos Hyde rushes in the first half of an NFL football preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns defensive back Denzel Ward (21) watches in the first half of an NFL football preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) rushes against Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during the first half of an NFL football preseason game, Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) avoids a sack by Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Star Lotulelei (98) during the first half of an NFL football preseason game Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield throws during the second half of the team's NFL football preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Rashard Higgins (81) is tackled by Buffalo Bills defensive back Jordan Poyer (21) during the first half of an NFL football preseason game Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Harrison Phillips (99) tackles Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) during the second half of an NFL football preseason game, Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Rashard Higgins (81) avoids Buffalo Bills defensive back Phillip Gaines (28) during the first half of an NFL football preseason game Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (31) rushes against Buffalo Bills linebacker Keenan Robinson (48) during the second half of an NFL football preseason game Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Buffalo Bills linebacker Deon Lacey (44) and a teammate tackle Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (31) during the second half of an NFL football preseason game Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) stiff-arms Buffalo Bills defensive back Levi Wallace (47) during the second half of an NFL football preseason game Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb, center, rushes for a 1-yard touchdown during the second half of an NFL football preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield celebrates a touchdown during the second half of the team's NFL football preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
DT Larry Ogunjobi
The second-year defensive tackle had a break-out game against Buffalo. On the Bills first series, Ogunjobi covered a screen pass and dropped running back LeSean McCoy for a loss. Following a Browns scoring drive, the Bills faced a 3rd-and-9 from their own 26-yard line. McCarron dropped back to pass but was met by Ogunjobi for a sack. Ogunjobi, who had just one sack during his rookie campaign a season ago, made the most of his reps with the first-team defense. The Browns have a slew of injuries along the defensive line; Ogunjobi could be just what defensive coordinator Gregg Williams and the coaching staff is looking for.
The offensive line
Although Kevin Zeitler is still out, Joel Bitonio is shifting to left tackle and Austin Corbett is a rookie, the Browns ran the ball behind their new-look offensive line with ease. Most of the talk has been on the left side of the line, but Hyde's two biggest runs came off the right side, where Chris Hubbard and Spencer Drango were leading the way. The trio of Hyde, Nick Chubb and Duke Johnson provide an interesting dynamic for Todd Haley and the offensive coaching staff. When Zeitler comes back, the Browns could have a big year up front.
RB Nick Chubb
Behind the second-team offensive line and taking the most carries was the youngster from Georgia. Chubb was a bit overwhelmed by defenders in his debut, and running backs coach Freddie Kitchens noted that Chubb was pressing after not having early success. But Chubb bounced back for 11 carries, gaining 53 yards. He also punched in a 1-yard touchdown for the first score of his young, but blossoming career. He showed his ability to squeeze through tight openings and burst through the secondary on a 17-yard run, which set up his touchdown run.
