The Cleveland Browns dropped their second preseason game to the Buffalo Bills 31-7 on Saturday, and the result on the scoreboard told only part of the story. 

The joint practice earlier in the week and the game itself provided evaluation tape for a roster still taking shape. The Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson quarterback battle remains the biggest storyline in Cleveland, but several other players made their case for or against a 53-man roster spot.

Winner: QB Shedeur Sanders

Sanders leads the list after going 9-of-11 passing for 74 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. The interception probably should have been caught, as the throw was only slightly behind his tight end and hit the receiver in the hands. Beyond that, Sanders had an efficient day. He took one sack, and when you factor in the day Watson had, it was a positive outing for Sanders as he continues pushing to win the starting job.

Winner: WR Luke Floriea

Floriea spent last season on the Browns’ practice squad. A Northeast Ohio native, he’s undersized at 5-foot-8, 180 pounds, but he gets open and makes plays. Floriea hauled in Cleveland’s only touchdown on an 8-yard score, finding himself wide open in the back of the end zone on a nice pass from Watson. That’s what he does. He finds creases and gets open. Floriea should be pushing for a roster spot in a crowded wide receiver room. Put him right there for that sixth and final spot as a guy in the mix to earn it. He’s been that good through camp and the preseason once again for the Browns, and he makes a play on anything that comes his way much of the time.

Winner: TE Carsen Ryan

Ryan had a nice day as both a blocker and a receiver, catching one pass for 13 yards to show off his receiving ability. Ryan has a great chance to make this team given the tight end depth issues Cleveland has behind starter Harold Fannin Jr. Saturday was a positive step forward, and he should end up earning a roster spot.

Winner: S Donovan McMillon

McMillon played a ton on Saturday and should make the team once again this year as the last safety on the 53-man roster after spending last season with the Browns. McMillon was all over the field, sideline to sideline, and finished with eight tackles as Cleveland’s leading tackler for the day.

Winner: DT Mike Hall Jr. 

Hall is a listed defensive tackle, but the Browns started him on the edge out of necessity due to a lack of bodies at the position. Jared Verse had the day off, and there’s an unknown injury with Alex Wright. Hall recorded a sack rushing from a defensive end spot and showed off his ability to be a versatile lineman the Browns can place at any of the four spots on the defensive line. It was a positive day for the third-year former Buckeye.

Loser: QB Deshaun Watson 

Watson had it handmade and gift-wrapped for him to take the starting job on Saturday. All he needed to do was come in and look competent, lead a scoring drive in the third quarter against the Bills, and the quarterback battle probably would have been wrapped up. That didn’t happen. Watson finished with just 36 passing yards and an interception on 5-of-12 passing. He continues to dirt balls before they reach the receiver, and he’s dropping his eyes at any hint of pressure he thinks he feels. It’s a bad product, and Watson’s comments after the game didn’t make it any better. It’s a hard sell for Cleveland to name him the starter at this point.

Loser: CB Tre Avery

 The Browns’ backup corner played a ton on Saturday but was often picked on by Bills quarterbacks not named Josh Allen. It was a down day for him in coverage, and showed the Browns’ depth troubles at the position. Avery is one of the Browns’ top options in terms of depth behind starters Denzel Ward and Tyson Campbell, and that’s a concern. The Browns are thin in the defensive back group and could stand to make an addition before the regular season starts.