The Cleveland Browns wrapped up a perfect 3-0 preseason with a hard-fought 19-17 victory over the Los Angeles Rams, sealing the deal with a game-winning field goal from Andre Symzt. But forget the score; this finale provided insights into both the talent and issues that will define the 2025 season.

An aggressive, physical tone defined the game, and here are the five biggest takeaways from it as the Browns now have a 53-man roster and are turning the page to the Cincinnati Bengals.

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Adin Huntington is Good at Football

The whispers from training camp have erupted into a roar. UDFA Adin Huntington is an athletic marvel, and he has earned his way onto the Browns roster. The defensive lineman’s versatility across all phases of the game has delivered significant returns for the team’s modest investment in him back in May.

Whether he’s lining up as a three-technique wreaking havoc in the backfield, serving as a surprise fullback, or being the first to the ball on return coverage, Huntington gives his all on the gridiron. He embodies the relentless, high-motor player that Cleveland loves and should be a cult favorite among fans.

Cleveland’s New Toy

Quarterback Joe Flacco’s preseason debut was a smooth, efficient tune-up, but the instant chemistry he displayed with rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. stood out. Flacco tossed a beautiful 15-yard touchdown pass to Fannin for the first points of the game and the first touchdown of his career.

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Fannin finished with two catches for 16 yards before being sat down for the day. Comparisons being made between him and Isaiah Likely are apt; Fannin is a legitimate receiving threat who can line up anywhere and make an immediate impact as an H-Back. Look for 12 personnel to be a welcome staple in the Browns’ offense this fall.

Carson Schwesinger Is A Star

Despite playing just ten games of college football, rookie linebacker Carson Schwesinger is not just playing in the NFL as a rookie; he is comfortably starting the season as the defensive play-caller. His instincts are astonishingly sharp. In his mere 23 snaps of preseason action across two games, he tallied an absurd 12 tackles, including a massive hit early against the Rams.

The defensive line is carving open clean lanes for him, allowing Schwesinger to fly downhill and make plays. A trend that will likely continue into the regular season. If this aggressive tackling and command of the defense hold up, the Browns may have a dark-horse Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate on their hands.

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Shedeur Sanders Isn’t Ready, And That Is Okay

As obvious as the statement should be for a fifth-round rookie quarterback, it must be said: Shedeur Sanders has miles to go before he is an NFL-level signal-caller. The rookie had a rollercoaster of a preseason, soaring with his electric performance in Charlotte only to crash with a collapse in Cleveland on Saturday, taking an unfathomable five sacks on his 11 dropbacks.

This variance is typical for a quarterback transitioning from an intuitive college system to a much more complex and demanding NFL offense. He will sit and develop until he is ready, and the Browns are right to let him learn from the sideline. No one can dispute his star power, but the learning curve is real. The underlying tools that Sanders has will play in this system if his pocket presence and decisiveness are tuned in.

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Nickel Corner Must Be Addressed Immediately

This is the cold, hard truth: The Rams’ practice squad offense knew it. The NFL knows it. The Bengals are licking their chops over it. Our nickel corner position is a clear, glaring weak link on the defense, and the front office must address it with urgency. The ideal resolution is via trade, but several defensive backs will hit the waiver wire when the cut deadline hits, and the Browns should be aggressive in targeting one as they are second on the priority list.

If the team’s brain trust allows this vulnerability to remain as we head into Week 1, it will be taken as a clear, frustrating sign that the organization is not fully committed to a winning season right now. This is a fixable flaw that demands action.

This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns vs. Rams: 5 takeaways from preseason finale