Browns vs. Bears: 6 Players for Cleveland Fans to Watch

As the Cleveland Browns enter into their final preseason matchup with the Chicago Bears, we take a look at a few Browns that fans will need to keep their eyes on. 

Week 4 of the preseason usually doesn't see many of the same starters that are on the field on most Sundays, but instead gives the young guys the opportunity to battle it out for spots on the depth chart and roster. 

For the Browns, a few key injuries have taken their toll on the roster and immediately put pressure on young guys to perform well—right away. The game against the Bears could be a tell-tale sign for what's to come during the season.

Carlton Mitchell

Carlton Mitchell has been absent this preseason, as he had surgery to repair a broken finger. But he returned to practice this week and should be able to play against the Bears.

With a short preseason to prove himself, Mitchell will have to play well against the Bears to make any kind of move upward on the depth chart; and with a bad game, Mitchell could be clinging onto a roster spot.

Although I don't think Mitchell will be cut even with a less-than impressive game against the Bears—simply due to his special teams abilities—Mitchell should be under a bit of pressure if he wants to continue to be a part of the Browns offense.

Kaluka Maiava

The Browns linebacking corps have taken a big hit this preseason.

As Chris Gocong and backup Titus Brown have both been lost to injury, the Browns are left with Maiava to fill the whole in the middle linebacker position.

If Maiava struggles, or leaves with the slightest of injuries, the Browns may have to look to outside sources to add a middle linebacker. 

Maiava has been on the team for a few years now, and hopefully can step up and fill the whole admirably—or else, who knows where the Browns go from here.

James Dockery

James Dockery may not be a household name for Browns fans quite yet, but with a great game against the Bears, he could very well start becoming one. 

Dockery, along with defensive back Buster Skrine, has been extremely impressive in the preseason for the Browns. He has played well in an already good Browns secondary and has made a case for himself.

With a good outing by Dockery in his final test against the Bears, we could be seeing more and more of him as the season goes on. And if there are injuries, he could be a starter by season's end. 

Buster Skrine

Dockery's counterpart, Buster Skrine, has been equally, if not more impressive, than Dockery this preseason. 

A tireless worker with incredible speed, Skrine has impressed the Browns this season, not only as a special teamer, but as a cornerback as well.

He's been able to master the schemes thrown at him and has been able to compete with any receiver that he's matched up against, leaving the Browns coaching staff wondering if he's ready for a starting spot on the team.

Skrine and Dockery both have been pleasant surprises, and if Skrine doesn't have an absolute meltdown against the Bears, could be a legitimate playmaker—or even starter—for the Browns secondary this season.  

Jarrett Brown

Jarrett Brown has played decently this preseason, but it'll be interesting to see whether or not his performance against the Bears will have any bearing on his position with this team. 

It has been rumored that the Browns could only keep two quarterbacks as they head into the season. Colt McCoy has impressed nearly everyone this preseason, and backup Seneca Wallace is a very consistent player who I'd feel comfortable with if McCoy ever missed time.

This leaves the Browns with a decision to make: Will they need another quarterback on the depth Chart?

Brown will have to prove to the Browns that he needs to be on this roster—even if he's only the third-string quarterback. 

With decisions in the air, Brown could solidify or lose his job based on his performance against the Bears.

Jason Pinkston

With left guard Eric Steinbach out for the season with a back injury, Browns fans all over the country may turn on the game just to see what Pinkston can do. 

Steinbach was a reliable left guard who leaves a big hole for the Browns that Pinkston will have to fill. HIs experience at left tackle doesn't really translate into left guard material, but the Browns coaches seem to believe that given his performance this preseason and throughout training camp, Pinkston is the guy for the left guard job. 

With poor performances from Pinkston, the Browns offense could take a massive hit in both the preseason and regular season. The run game could be much slower and less effective, while Colt McCoy may not have the time he is used to, to get rid of the football. 

All eyes will be on Jason Pinkston. What used to be a semi-guarantee has now become a huge question mark for the Browns, and hopefully, Jason Pinkston will prove to be the right answer for the time being.