The Browns dropped their second straight preseason game with a 27-12 loss to the Vikings on Aug.18. While the result of the preseason contest has no effect on the Browns' regular season record, it does provide a glimpse into who is putting together a strong training camp as the Browns' Week 1 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys approaches.
Here are three players from Saturday's game who had especially strong performances.
RB D'Onta Foreman
On Aug. 1, Browns RB D'Onta Foreman was immobilized on the practice field at The Greenbrier and flown by helicopter to a hospital after taking a hit during a punt coverage drill.
During the second preseason game, the six-year NFL veteran led the Browns with 64 total yards and scored the only touchdown for the Browns.
"I think it puts a lot into perspective about how fast life can change and how things can happen," Foreman said after the game. "To be able to still be healthy and to be able to come out here and play the game that I love to play, you know, stuff I've been working hard for – I'm just very thankful for that."
As a runner, Foreman was predominantly used in short yardage situations. His first carry came at the goal line, where he was stuffed by the Vikings defensive front. He drove his way into the end zone on the following play.
"I was actually mad I didn't get in on the first one. I feel like I don't need two times to try it, so I definitely had to get in the second one. But it worked out," Foreman said.
Foreman, who also took the game's opening kickoff to the Browns 31-yard line, showed his ability to make explosive plays as a pass catcher. Foreman caught a short pass from QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson, made a nice cut to evade being tackled and surged forward for a 27-yard gain. Foreman finished with 46 receiving yards on five receptions.
"Ran very hard, that's kind of his game," Head coach Kevin Stefanski said of Foreman after the game. "He puts his weight down and stays low and goes forward. I thought that's what he did when he got the ball in his hands and obviously had a nose for the goal line there down to our left."
DE Jeremiah Martin
In addition to DT Chris Williams, who had a strong outing on Saturday, DE Jeremiah Martin showed his ability to pressure the quarterback. It won't show up on the stat sheet, but Martin forced multiple poorly timed passes from Vikings quarterbacks throughout the game. He also sacked QB Nick Mullens to force the Vikings to settle for a field goal in the second quarter.
Martin, who the Browns signed in late July, signed with the Giants as an undrafted free agent out of Washington ahead of the 2023 season. He said that he has been taking advantage of the chance to learn from one of the league's best pass rushers in DE Myles Garrett as he attempts to make the Browns roster.
"Myles is a one-of-a-kind defensive end," Martin said after the game. "Some of the little tips and tricks that he gives us like when you key the ball or take these steps or making this move and stuff like that, like Myles, he helps a lot."
Martin added a tackle for loss in addition to his sack, bringing down Vikings RB DeWayne McBride on the first play of a dominant drive for the Browns defense which resulted in a safety.
TE Zaire Mitchell-Paden
Browns tight end Zaire Mitchell-Paden caught all four of his targets for 59 yards on Saturday, averaging 14.8 yards per catch and showing his ability to make explosive plays.
On QB Tyler Huntley's first play of the game, he connected with Mitchell-Paden on a short pass, which the second-year tight end took for a 30-yard gain. The big-bodied tight end proved that he was tough to take down, breaking a tackle on a first down catch in the third quarter before a pair of Vikings defenders finally brought him down after a 14-yard gain.
"He's a young man that works extremely hard at his craft," Stefanski said on Sunday. "In early, out late, constantly catching extra balls, getting extra work in the weight room, whatever it may be."
Mitchell-Paden went down with an injury near the end of the game Saturday, but Stefanski said Sunday that the tight end was "fine."
