By Scott Patsko, cleveland.com

Sept. 21, 2016

CLEVELAND, Ohio - When the Browns drafted Cody Kessler in the third round of the NFL Draft earlier this year, many observers considered it too high. While his stats at USC were impressive, the knock was that he didn't have the measurables of many other quarterbacks in the draft.

"I understand where everybody is coming from," Hue Jackson said in April, "but you've got to trust me on this one." Sashi Brown, Browns V.P. of football operations, said, "Cody is a guy that I would not want to sleep on if I were a quarterback wanting to be the starting quarterback of the Browns."

Kessler got 53 snaps in the preseason as the fourth- and third-string QB. He was 19-of-28 passing for 92 yards and a touchdown. While he had his struggles (like a memorable rookie moment against the Packers), Kessler also showed some of the strengths he displayed at USC.

This slideshow takes a closer look at how Kessler performed for the Browns in the preseason, and what that might mean for this Sunday in Miami, and beyond.

Cody Kessler's scouting report

When the Browns drafted Cody Kessler in the third round of the NFL Draft earlier this year, many observers considered it too high. While his stats at USC were impressive, the knock was that he didn't have the measurables of many other quarterbacks in the draft.

“I understand where everybody is coming from,” Hue Jackson said in April, “but you’ve got to trust me on this one.” Sashi Brown, Browns V.P. of football operations, said, “Cody is a guy that I would not want to sleep on if I were a quarterback wanting to be the starting quarterback of the Browns.”

Kessler got 53 snaps in the preseason as the fourth- and third-string QB. He was 19-of-28 passing for 92 yards and a touchdown. While he had his struggles (like a memorable rookie moment against the Packers), Kessler also showed some of the strengths he displayed at USC.

This slideshow takes a closer look at how Kessler performed for the Browns in the preseason, and what that might mean for this Sunday in Miami, and beyond.

(Photo by John Kuntz, cleveland.com)

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Kessler's strengths

Before we get to his preseason performance, let’s remember what was said about Kessler coming out of USC. The strengths included accuracy, which is proven by his school-record for career completion percentage (67.5). Much of that accuracy was due to his willingness to take what defenses gave him, allowing him to play catch at times with underneath receivers. Kessler could also create space in the pocket and keep his eyes downfield. Jackson pointed out Kessler’s 88 touchdowns against 19 interceptions over three seasons at USC.

So let’s take a look at how those strengths showed up during the preseason.

(Photo by Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com)

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This was on display with the first pass Kessler threw in the preseason. A punt return and penalty on the Packers set up the Browns at the Green Bay 10-yard line late in the third quarter.

With fellow rookie Rashard Higgins one-on-one on the left, Kessler took two steps and threw to Higgins' back shoulder for the touchdown. It was a perfect throw.

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This was on display with the first pass Kessler threw in the preseason. A punt return and penalty on the Packers set up the Browns at the Green Bay 10-yard line late in the third quarter.

With fellow rookie Rashard Higgins one-on-one on the left, Kessler took two steps and threw to Higgins’ back shoulder for the touchdown. It was a perfect throw.

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More accuracy

Against the Bears, Kessler faced a second-and-5 out of the shotgun. He hit tight end Seth DeValve on a quick slant for seven yards and a first down. Against the Buccaneers he connected with Taylor Gabriel on a well-timed curl route for 11 yards on third-and-9. Both of these throws were right here they needed to be, setting up the receivers to run after the catch.

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Eyes downfield

Kessler had his share of pocket pressure in the preseason while playing behind third- and fourth-string offensive lines. He was sacked seven times, and probably hit or flushed out just as many times. But he was able to create space a few times and get the ball away for a positive play.

He did this twice against the Bears, including on a third-and-2. When his first read wasn’t there and he was flushed from the pocket to his right, Kessler kept his eyes downfield and threw to Higgins for a 4-yard gain and a first down. That’s the poise Jackson talked about after the draft.

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Plays it safe

Scouts pointed out that Kessler won’t make the “wow” throw, but he does know when to avoid risk. He showed this on a third-and-6 against the Falcons. Out of the shotgun, Kessler looked for something to quickly materialize near the right sideline. He was hopping and eager to throw, but when he didn’t like what he saw, he looked underneath to his running back for a 4-yard gain.

The Browns didn’t get the first down and had to punt, but Kessler didn’t try to force what wasn’t there or give the ball away on his own half.

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Kessler's weaknesses

This begins with Kessler’s arm strength. Although you can make a list of impressive NFL quarterbacks who lacked big-time arm strength, it’s still something Kessler will have to prove he can overcome. Scouts also noted he generally struggled to connect with receivers more than 15 yards downfield. Other criticisms included his inability to remain accurate when the pocket collapses, and sometimes getting jittery feet while going through his progressions (something we saw on the previous slide.)

So let’s take a look at how those weaknesses showed up during the preseason.

(Photo by John Kuntz, cleveland.com)

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Arm strength

Arm strength seemed to be an issue a few times in the preseason. Perhaps the best display came against the Bears. Kessler took the snap from under center and quickly threw down line of scrimmage to Gabriel. It was a long throw to make quickly from almost a standstill, and didn’t have much zip on it. Although the defensive back was almost 10 yards away at the snap, he was on top of Gabriel when the ball arrived and the play resulted in no gain.

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More arm strength

Against the Buccaneers, Kessler tried to connect with Darius Jennings with a high-arcing pass 20 yards downfield along the sideline. But the ball was slightly underthrown and the defensive back broke it up.

Kessler had a similar throw against the Bears with Higgins as the target. Again, it wasn’t out in front enough, and was almost intercepted.

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Downfield accuracy

Kessler was 0 for 5 on preseason passes where the ball was in the air for more than 10 yards. Two landed out of bounds and two others were almost intercepted. One of those near-picks came late in the game against the Bears.

On third-and-11, Jennings lined up in the slot and ran a seam route down the middle of the field. He was wide open. An accurate pass would’ve been a touchdown. But Kessler, who had time and was able to step into his throw, overshot Jennings and the pass was almost intercepted by the deep safety.

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Accuracy under pressure

Kessler had just one opportunity to attempt a throw with a defender bearing down on him, and it came against the Bears. Out of the shotgun on second-and-11, he got pressure right up the middle, but his fullback was able to briefly pick it up. Kessler threw to the left sideline toward an open receiver, but the ball sailed out of bounds as he took a hit.

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What should we expect?

Kessler has shown the things that Jackson liked, but he has also flashed the red flags the pre-draft scouting reports cited. And then there’s the learning curve most rookies have. Kessler didn’t get many reps during training camp, or even the first week of the season. So you’ll see things like late throws (see video) while he searches for comfort in Jackson’s system.

Although Kessler said this week that he has always prepared as if he was the starter, we all find out Sunday how well he can perform like one.