Browns vs. Packers: Rookies to Watch for in Preseason Showdown

Thursday night's preseason showdown between the Cleveland Browns and Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field will feature several notable rookies suiting up in hopes of impressing fans and coaches.

A pair of first-round picks on opposite sides of the ball will go head-to-head early on, while another under-the-radar defensive standout promises to make his presence felt in Green Bay.

Here we break down the key rookies to watch for in Thursday night's Week 2 preseason matchup between the Browns and Packers.

Casey Hayward

The Packers drafted Vanderbilt's Casey Hayward in the second round last April in order to add some depth in the secondary. Hayward is a 5'11" corner with superb potential. He even recorded three solo tackles against the Chargers last week. What makes Hayward a rookie to watch on Thursday is his knack for making big plays.

He ended his Vanderbilt career with 15 interceptions, seven of which came in 2011. Hayward also had 62 tackles last season with the Commodores. The addition of Hayward gives Green Bay another weapon to throw out onto the field in 2012, along with Charles Woodson, Tramon Williams and Sam Shields.

Fans tuning into Thursday night's preseason matchup in Green Bay should keep an eye out for Hayward in passing situations. 

Brandon Weeden

Cleveland's first-round draft pick completed three passes for 62 yards in the team's preseason opener against the Detroit Lions, but was also sacked once and threw six incompletions, including one interception. Meanwhile, experienced quarterbacks Colt McCoy and Seneca Wallace looked much sharper in the Browns' opener.

At age 28, Cleveland has little time to waste trying to develop Weeden into a dependable pro passer. If the team was willing to bring him in with the No. 22 overall pick in 2012, the Browns must be willing to play him during the regular season right away.

Of course, that might not be a bad idea. After all, Weeden threw for more than 4,200 yards and 34 touchdowns in each of his last two season with Oklahoma State in college. 

Nick Perry

The Green Bay Packers' first-round draft pick in 2012, former USC Trojan Nick Perry, shows great promise as an NFL pass-rusher.

Perry will most likely be playing as a linebacker-defensive end hybrid in Dom Capers' vaunted 3-4 defensive scheme. He recorded three solo tackles and a sack in Green Bay's preseason opener against the San Diego Chargers last week, proving that he will have an impact right away for the Packers.

Perry was a wrecking ball at USC, recording 55 tackles, nine sacks and two forced fumbles last season for the Trojans. With a 6'3", 265-pound frame, Perry won't go unnoticed at Lambeau Field on Thursday night against Cleveland. Look for the Midwest native to get after the quarterback and provide a boost for the Pack early.

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