Mohamoud Diabate, Austin Watkins Jr. continue to make Browns' decisions tough | Takeaways
PHILADELPHIA — Mohamoud Diabate was one of the first undrafted free agents the Browns locked up after April's draft ended. The linebacker formerly of Florida and Utah showed why during Thursday night's preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Diabate was all over the field during the first two-plus quarters of the Browns' 18-18 tie against the Eagles. His impact was felt from the second defensive play of the game, when he threw Philadelphia running back Kenneth Gainwell to the ground in the end zone for a safety.
That was one of two absolute game-changing plays for Diabate. He also helped to set up the second of two first-half Cade York field goals when he punched the ball free from Eagles' Trey Sermon, which the Browns' Cameron Mitchell recovered.
"They called the screen play," Diabate said. "I kind of got pushed back a little bit. Luckily my teammates had good pursuit. My teammates having a good pursuit allowed me to come back and kind of chase him and get that punch out. So heads-up play by Cam to be able to jump on that. Big time play by him."
Diabate also had six solo tackles and seven total tackles, tied with the Eagles' K'Von Wallace for the best of any player in the game.
Plays like the ones Diabate made on Thursday night are sure to help him potentially find a spot on an opening-day roster. If it's not the Browns, then someone no doubt will take a chance on him if they try to pass him through waivers.
"I just been working my ass off every day," Diabate said. "Coming to work on time, working my ass off, doing exactly what my coaches say. So we'll see how everything turns out."
Austin Watkins Jr. turning into a (preseason) star for Browns
It's pretty clear who is becoming this year's preseason star for the Browns. Receiver Austin Watkins Jr. was signed on the first day of training camp when they had to place veteran Marquise Goodwin Jr. on the non-football illness list with blood clots.
Watkins, who was a USFL star with the Birmingham Stallions, has turned into a training camp one for the Browns. The performance against the Eagles was easily the brightest one yet.
The former Alabama-Birmingham product had seven catches on 14 targets for 139 yards and a score. That score was an impressive grab in which he broke off a route to catch an underthrown ball between Eagles defenders Eli Ricks and Justin Evans, pulled it in and turned upfield to finish a 32-yard touchdown.
Earlier on the drive, Watkins also pulled in a one-handed grab for 23 yards to the Eagles 35.
"Oh, yeah, it feels good," said Watkins, who has 15 catches for 245 yards and two touchdowns in three preseason games. "Feel good. It feels like the work is paying off."
Kellen Mond finds a little more comfort in Philadelphia
The first appearance Kellen Mond made as a Browns quarterback came in the Hall of Fame Game against the New York Jets. The third-year pro started and played the entire first half of that game, but left with the Browns behind 16-7.
Mond nearly led the Browns to a comeback in his fourth-quarter appearance against the Washington Commanders. However, his potential game-tying two-point conversion pass to Mike Harley Jr. with less than a minute remaining fell short.
Third time, though, felt more like a charm for Mond against the Eagles. He came on for Dorian Thompson-Robinson to start the third quarter, and finished 12-of-24 passing for 126 yards.
“I felt great," Mond said. "You know, I think coming into it we were deciding, you know, how loud it was going to be, you know, playing on the road for the first time this year, but I felt great, felt comfortable in the pocket. [I] was able to have some big-time scrambles, make some big-time throws, so [I] felt good.”
However, Mond led the Browns to a touchdown for a 15-10 third-quarter lead. He also guided them to a field goal, which gave them an 18-10 lead.
There was also the drive that put the Browns in position to potentially win the game late. However, Cade York missed, officially, a 41-yard field goal to preserve the tie.
Browns secondary depth takes a hit with injuries
Two of the Browns' better performers this camp in the secondary, non-starters edition, left in the first half with injuries. First it was cornerback Mike Ford Jr., who departed with a shoulder injury.
The second one may hurt more, just because of the camp safety Ronnie Hickman was putting together despite being an undrafted free agent out of Ohio State before leaving in the second quarter to be evaluated for a concussion. Hickman had three interceptions in the last two games, including one on a play shortly before he was taken into the medical tent.
Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on Twitter at @ceasterlingABJ
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Mohamoud Diabate, Austin Watkins Jr. show worth to Browns: Takeaways
