When the Browns ran out of the tunnel at Huntington Bank Field for their season opener against the Bengals, four rookies had earned a starting role for the Week 1 matchup.
Another five rookies subbed in over the course of the game on both sides of the ball, finding their spots to impact the game for the Browns. While Cleveland lost to Cincinnati 17-16 in the season opener, the state of the rookie class is one to be encouraged by.
“In volume, it’s a lot of rookies, but they don’t act like rookies, and I don’t consider them rookies at this point,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said. “They’re guys that we’re counting on. They’re guys that really work at their craft, and that’s been the case since they got on campus here. And you really can go down the line with all of them. They all are very serious about their job. They all work very hard, and they all will continue to get better.”
Three of those young players the Browns are counting on are the offensive side of the ball in TE Harold Fannin Jr.., RB Dylan Sampson and RB Raheim Sanders – each of whom positively impacted the offense in Week 1.
While Sanders totaled three carries for three yards, he punched in the Browns’ first touchdown of the day on a 1-yard carry early in the second quarter. Sanders was quickly acclimated to the Browns after he was claimed off of waivers on Aug. 27, and 11 days later, played in his first NFL game with Cleveland. He used those 11 days to learn the offense and prepare for any opportunity that could arise.
Stefanski said due to Sanders’ size as a 6-foot, 230 pound running back that he was the right person for their short yardage goal line package. While who fills that role can vary week to week, Sanders used his opportunity in his first NFL game to his advantage, running behind his pads and finding his way into the end zone for the touchdown.
Both Fannin and Sampson also made their presence known in the offense in Week 1, particularly in the passing game. The Bengals’ run defense succeeded to limit the Browns’ run game – finishing with 49 rushing yards – so Cleveland shifted toward moving the ball through the air.
Both Fannin and Sampson were main targets for QB Joe Flacco. Fannin caught seven of his team-high nine targets for 63 receiving yards, and his longest catch of the day went for 22 receiving yards. While he struggled with two dropped passes, Fannin still helped Cleveland move down the field on drives. He also took a direct snap and ran up the middle for three yards.
“Harold, I thought, really competed hard,” Stefanski said. “That’s one of the things you love about him out there. Whether it’s the ball’s in his hand or not, he’s giving you everything he’s got.”