Cleveland Browns Preseason: Week 4 Stock Report

Only one preseason game remains for the Cleveland Browns before they have to reduce their roster to 53 players. They already dropped it to 79 players on Monday and to the league-mandated 75 players on Tuesday, which means that 22 players are facing their last best chance to make a positive impression and earn themselves a chance to play for the Browns this year.

So who has helped their chances and who has hurt them through three preseason games? Here is the Browns' Week 4 stock report.

Stock Up: LB Barkevious Mingo

David Richard/Associated Press

Browns outside linebacker Barkevious Mingo underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on August 6, but it looks like he is on pace to return to the field for the team's Week 1 contest against the New York Jets.

Scout.com's Fred Greetham reported on Monday that Mingo was participating in practice for the first time since undergoing the procedure, and head coach Mike Pettine is pleased by what he saw. Pettine said, "Since it was jog through pace, he was able to do a lot of [everything]. That was good to see. He's on pace for the first game."

Mingo has stayed prepared during his absence, saying, "Injuries happen. It's just up to the player how they handle it. You can sit in the back of the class room and sulk or make sure you get those points and that you get ready to play mentally. I feel like I've done that."

There were some questions as to whether Mingo would be ready for the Browns season opener. But now that he is back on the field and participating—albeit in a limited capacity—it looks like he's on track for that to happen. The Browns need Mingo, particularly his coverage skills, and adding him back into the mix makes the whole side of the ball better.

Stock Down: RB Duke Johnson

Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press

The rookie Browns running back got just five snaps into his preseason debut on Saturday before exiting the game with a concussion. This comes on the heels of a hamstring injury that has also eaten into his ability to get meaningful reps in an offense that, at one point, seemed in many ways it was being tailored for his talents.

Browns head coach Mike Pettine is not sure when Johnson can be expected back, saying, "We will wait and see where we are with it." The situation is not such that the Browns are desiring to add another running back at this time, but it's still not good that the rookie has missed so much on-field time with his various ailments.

Johnson's role in the offense may have to be scaled back some should he be cleared to play in Week 1. That's not what the Browns had in mind when drafting him in May and while injuries happen, it doesn't help Johnson's stock that he keeps suffering them.

Stock Up: QB Thaddeus Lewis

Tony Dejak/Associated Press

Browns third-string quarterback Thaddeus Lewis is not in line to start at any point this year, but because of the team's recent roster moves, his stock is on the rise. Among the players shuffled around this week was former No. 3 quarterback Connor Shaw, who was placed on injured reserve after undergoing right thumb surgery.

And because backup Johnny Manziel has been dealing with on-and-off tendinitis in his throwing elbow, keeping three quarterbacks on the active roster seems like a real possibility for the Browns this year. They need to have insurance in place if starter Josh McCown gets hurt or gets benched and Manziel's arm cannot hold up to the workload.

Head coach Mike Pettine, via Scout.com's Hayden Grove, said on Tuesday that the Browns need three quarterbacks "on campus" this season, which seems to indicate that Lewis' roster spot is safe. The only way that changes is if the Browns bring on a different quarterback in the coming days. But until or unless that happens, Lewis has job security.

Stock Down: OL Cameron Erving

Ron Schwane/Associated Press

The Browns' second of their two 2015 Round 1 draft picks, offensive lineman Cameron Erving, is not a bad player. In fact, he's a highly talented player who is capable of stepping in at guard, center and tackle. He's an asset for the Browns and definitely a future fixture on the line.

But his starting hopes for 2015 seemed to have been dashed, with head coach Mike Pettine saying on Sunday that John Greco would remain the team's starter at right guard to open the year. Pettine added, "I just think that starting five will be difficult to crack, so I would say Greco is the leader. It's not a slight against Cam at all. We're very encouraged with where he is and see him being a big part of what we do."

For this reason, Erving's stock is down. Someday—and maybe soon—he can beat out Greco. But for now, he's a reserve lineman who can swing to any position. 

Stock Up: DL Jamie Meder

Ron Schwane/Associated Press

Prior to the Browns cutting their roster down to 75 players, head coach Mike Pettine (via the Browns' official website), praised defensive lineman Jamie Meder's performance this summer, saying "I think [defensive coordinator Jim] O'Neil said it the other day that if you had to vote for a most improved, that Jamie would certainly be in the discussion."

Clearly, that improvement has made a real impression, because now Meder's roster spot is almost guaranteed now that the team has not only released defensive tackle Ishmaa'ily Kitchen, but also veteran Phil Taylor, the team's 2011 Round 1 draft pick.

Meder is the Browns' highest-ranked defensive player of the preseason, according to Pro Football Focus, outperforming such standouts as Xavier Cooper and Danny Shelton. He's been particularly useful as a run defender, though he's also been productive in the pass rush with one sack and four quarterback hurries. 

There is a changing of the guard in Cleveland. Shelton will serve as the starting nose tackle in place of Taylor, with Meder backing him up instead of Kitchen. And given the rotational nature of the Browns defensive line, expect to see Meder on the field regularly during the season.