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Cleveland Browns: Players with the most to gain against Chicago

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The Cleveland Browns close out the preseason tonight when they host the Chicago Bears. Here are some players and position battles to watch.

The Cleveland Browns are coming off a disappointing trip last week to Florida where the team did not look sharp in any aspect of the game in their 30-13 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tonight, the Browns wrap up their preseason schedule at home against the Chicago Bears.

Head coach Hue Jackson has already decided that he wants his starters to play at least part of the game tonight to continue to get work in. Jackson was unhappy with the performance in all three phases of the loss last week, and wants his starters to continue to tune up before the season opener on Sept. 11 against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Related: Browns vs. Bears: TV, Radio Info

” I think I’m going to think about it tonight, but they are going to play obviously,” Jackson said earlier this week. “I haven’t thought through exactly how much, but they are definitely going to play.”

Jackson hopes that tonight’s game offers one final dress rehearsal for the regular season, along with a final evaluation of the roster before the start of the regular season.

“I’m going to watch everything, along with our executive staff,” Jackson said. “We are at the stage of trying to put our best team together. How many spots, what the numbers are, I’m not sure of that, but obviously, we all know there are some. There are 53 that we have to make sure that we have here so we will work at it and we will see how this thing shakes out.”

Here are some players to pay particular attention to tonight.

Aug 29, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Patrick Murray (7) misses a field goal against the Cleveland Browns during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Cleveland Browns defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-7. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Browns will have a new kicker and a new punter this season, following the release of kicker Travis Coons and the trade of punter Andy Lee.

The new kicker is Patrick Murray, who beat out Coons in a kicking battle throughout camp. Murray kicked in all 16 games for Tampa Bay in 2014, converting  20-of-24 attempts. He missed all of last season after being placed on the injured reserved list. The Buccaneers released him following the season and the Browns signed him to compete in training camp.

Related: Browns trade Andy Lee to Carolina

“It’s an honor to represent this organization and this city. It’s an honor to play for the Cleveland Browns and I’m just looking forward to representing them as an organization as well,” Murray said this week. “I really wanted to play for this organization. I love the way this organization represents itself, I love what they stand for, I love what these fans stand for and I’m just so fortunate to be able to play for them.”

Related: Browns sign Michael Palardy

The team also made a shocking move by trading veteran punter Lee to the Carolina Panthers. Browns received a 2018 fourth-round draft choice, which is rare for a punter, along with punter Kasey Redfern from the Panthers. The team also signed punter Michael Palardy this week.

Both Redfern and Palardy will have just tonight’s game to make an impression to win the punting position. Special teams and especially punters are often overlooked, but for the Browns to be successful this season wining and controlling the field position game will be key.

Aug 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns Tracy Howard (41) and cornerback Eric Patterson (39) take down Atlanta Falcons wide receiver J.D. McKissic (85) during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Falcons won 24-13. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

The Browns roster currently stands at 75 players, but by Saturday afternoon the team will have to have the roster down to 53 players. That makes tonight Thursday night the final audition for many young players eyeing for roster spots.

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Connor Hamlett, the first-year tight end from Oregon State was an early  camp standout, proving early in 11-on 11-work that he can win in the red zone and be a big target for his quarterback. However, Hamlett has not seen the targets or playing time during the preseason to secure his roster spot.

Related: Who is Connor Hamlett?

He is currently fourth on the depth chart behind Gary Barnidge, Randall Telfer and Seth DeValve for tonight’s game. It is likely the Browns will only carry three tight ends on the roster, so Hamlett needs to take advantage of his final opportunity to make the roster.

Defensively, undrafted rookie cornerback Tracy Howard from Miami has been making a strong impression on the coaching staff through camp and is competing for a reserve cornerback spot. With Justin Gilbert‘s uncertain future on the Browns roster, Howard is in a good position to make the team. Howard has performed strongly in coverage and on special teams this preseason, and another strong outing may secure him a roster spot.

Related: Dominique Alexander making an impression

Another defender who has been making the most of his opportunities is rookie linebacker Dominique Alexander, an undrafted free agent out of Oklahoma who hasn’t taken his opportunity with the Browns lightly.

“But you have that chip, I always remember that chip like I wasn’t drafted,” Alexander told the team’s website. “It just makes me go harder every day in the film room, on the field and just in the weight room and everything.”

Alexander has seized the chance and has been productive playing in the middle of the Browns defense throughout training camp. With some unimpressive competition for a backup role at inside linebacker, Alexander may be rewarded for his hard work and dedication to improving by making the 53-man roster.

Tonight will be pivotal for these three players in particular as they have all showcased their talent in training camp and are on the verge of securing a roster spot.

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