Friday NFL preseason preview: Browns vs. Buccaneers

Will we see the debut of OBJ?

In one of the most dynamic offseason moves during the spring, the Cleveland Browns traded for Odell Beckham Jr., one of the best wide receivers in the NFL. The three-time Pro Bowler might turn an improving team into a Super Bowl contender, but Beckham has been sidelined all preseason with a hip injury. The Browns are downplaying the injury as a precautionary measure, so we may see him Friday night. Beckham did sit out of practice Wednesday, though, so he may still sit again or be very limited Friday.

How much will we see the starters?

Week 3 of the preseason, aka the dress rehearsal game, has the starters playing the most amount of minutes in the preseason. Most coaches try to use this game as a measuring stick for how ready they are for the regular season. So far this preseason Browns starters have performed exceptionally well in their short bits of playing time. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, on the other hand, have been inconsistent. After a great opening game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the first-team offense for the Bucs struggled to move the ball against the Miami Dolphins. It finished with only 6 passing yards per attempt and 2.8 rushing yards per carry. New head coach Bruce Arians will want to see some consistency with this offense and will play the first team a good portion of the first half, if not more. The Browns' new head coach Freddie Kitchens seems to be pleased with the way his starters have looked and they may not last an entire quarter, let alone an entire half.

Roster battles will be key in second half

The second half will be vital for both clubs trying to finalize their 53-man rosters. The final few spots on that roster will be determined in these last two weeks, and the second half of this game will be massive for players who are on the cut line. For Cleveland there is a battle for the final wide receiver spots. Beckham, Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins and Antonio Callaway (currently suspended) have a hold on the top four spots. Jaelen Strong has the strongest hold on the fifth receiver spot, but the sixth spot is up for grabs. Most teams will only keep six wide receivers, so guys like Derrick Willies, Dorian Baker, Damion Ratley and Ishmael Hyman will need to make plays in the second half.

Both teams will also have quarterbacks trying to make a case for the team to keep a third passer on the roster. The Bucs have Ryan Griffin, who has performed well in preseason so far. Griffin has a 63% completion rate and has 552 yards and two touchdowns in two games. The Browns have Garrett Gilbert, who has also made a name for himself in preseason. Gilbert has a 66% completion rate, with 286 yards and two touchdowns in his two games.

Given the likelihood we will see the Bucs starters for a longer period and with the performance thus far from Griffin, give me the three points with the Bucs here. My best bet, however, is the Over. I can see both teams putting up points in the second half, and there will be enough points scored in the first half to make it comfortable.

Picks: Buccaneers +3 and Over

Buffalo Bills at Detroit Lions, 8 p.m. ET

The Lions defense has been atrocious this preseason, while the Bills offense has been solid. I like the Bills here.

Pick: Bills -2

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You can find all of this week's NFL preseason action at BetAmerica!