Baker Mayfield looks ready after Browns complete 3-0 preseason

 Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.

Instant takeaways from Browns 19-10 victory over the Atlanta Falcons …

1. That’s a wrap: Quarterback Baker Mayfield was sharp in his preseason debut without Nick Chubb, Jarvis Landry and JC Tretter, leading you to believe the first-team offense will be ready for the Chiefs in two weeks. In two drives, Mayfield was 6 of 10 for 113 yards. The first series died at the Falcons’ 9 after three incompletions and Kevin Stefanski eschewed a field goal try. The second one resulted in a beautiful 21-yard TD on a bootleg left to KhaDarel Hodge, who made a fingertip catch for his second TD in two games. Other highlights in the 19-10 Browns win, the final game of a 3-0 preseason: Rookie Demetric Felton secured his roster spot with a 37-yard kickoff return and 15-yard run from scrimmage, end Cameron Malveaux had two sacks, tackles Malik McDowell and Sheldon Day shared one, and tackle Jordan Elliott had a 5-yard tackle for loss and recovered a fumble.

2. Whewwwww: The final preseason game is always a nailbiter for coaches and GMs fearing injuries. It appears the Browns were spared except for a knee injury suffered by guard Drew Forbes.

3. Midnight strikes Lauletta: No. 3 quarterback Kyle Lauletta was exceptional in his first two preseason outings. But in his third, the practice squad-hopeful was intercepted twice in the span of four plays. The Browns retained possession on the first interception after Jordan Franks forced a fumble and Colby Gossett recovered. The second interception by Dwayne Johnson resulted in an Atlanta touchdown. Josh Rosen – formerly of the Cardinals, Dolphins, Buccaneers and 49ers – threw off his back foot and Juwan Green beat Brian Allen from 7 yards for the score. Lauletta rallied to put a touchdown on the board with a fade to Davion Davis, who made an acrobatic catch over cornerback Avery Williams from 10 yards out. Lauelett finished the game 11 of 22 for 150 yards with one TD and the two INTs

4. The contagion: Departed kicker Cody Parkey was known for an affinity for doinking goalposts. The question is if it rubbed off on replacement Chase McLaughlin. Stefanski set up a 57-yard field goal try at the end of the first half. McLaughlin’s kick caromed off the crossbar and fell short. The retractable roof above Mercedes-Benz Stadium was open. McLaughlin did make a PAT and field goals of 32 and 28 yards. But he pushed his final PAT wide right. Ugh.

5. Oops: Cornerback A.J. Green was a little overzealous in his role as a gunner on the Browns’ first punt with 7:41 to play. Green ran down and caught the punt without allowing the Falcons punt returner the opportunity.

6. Go fourth: The fourth tight end competition between Jordan Franks and Johnny Stanton swung totally in favor of Franks. With Case Keenum leaning on him in the second quarter, Franks caught four of four targets for 45 yards. Franks also made a play by running down Falcons linebacker Kobe Jones running with an interception and swatting the ball loose. Browns guard Colby Gossett recovered the fumble. Stanton, meanwhile, was relegated to his natural role as backup fullback and carried the ball three times for 12 yards. He had a catch for 4 yards.

7. Sixth-round magic: If there was any doubt, rookie sixth-round utility man Felton wrapped up his roster spot with two plays on the Browns’ third offensive possession. First, he returned the Atlanta kickoff 37 yards. On second down, Felton lined up in the backfield and poked his way to a 15-yard run. Felton was stopped for no gain inside the 5. Felton also had a punt return for 11 yards.
 
8. Pass rush competition: Malveaux put on a great bull rush for a sack of Feleipe Franks on third-and-5 from the Browns’ 19, resulting in a 41-yard Atlanta field goal. In the fourth quarter, he beat the tackle in front of him and sacked Rosen.Malveaux is in a heated competition for a roster spot. Later tackles McDowell and Day combined for a sack of Franks. Not be outdone, tackle Jordan Elliott had a 5-yard tackle for loss and also recovered a Josh Rosen fumbled snap on the first defensive series of the second half. The Browns' fourth sack was turned in by the newest linebacker, Tegray Scales.

9. Everything needs practice: Stefanski challenged the spot of a Falcons’ run for a first down with 2:53 in the first quarter. He was right and the first down was reversed. The Falcons converted a fourth-and-1 with a 21-yard Franks pass to back Caleb Huntley.

10. Opening lineups: Joining Mayfield to start on offense were the No. 1 offensive line minus center JC Tretter, Kareem Hunt, tight ends Austin Hooper and David Njoku, and receivers Donovan Peoples-Jones and KhaDarel Hodge. The defense was without ends Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney and cornerback Denzel Ward. The linebackers were Mack Wilson, Anthony Walker and Malcolm Smith. The secondary was cornerbacks Greg Newsome and A.J. Green and safeties John Johnson and Ronnie Harrison. The Falcons surprised some by deciding not to play quarterback Matt Ryan, receiver Calvin Ridley, offensive tackle Jake Matthews, linebacker Deion Jones and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, among other starters.

11. Trader Andrew: A year ago, GM Andrew Berry acquired a key player after the initial roster cutdown when he dealt a fifth-round draft pick in 2021 to the Jaguars for safety Ronnie Harrison. Berry isn’t ruling out a trade or two this year. On the Browns’ radio network pre-game show, Berry said, “Absolutely. The trade market is something that we always have a very strong pulse on. I wouldn’t rule out any possibilities in terms of a deal as it pertains to our own team.” With the strength of the roster this year, though, the Browns might be in the position of seller rather than buyer. We shall see over the next few days.