Browns-49ers: Stock Up, Stock Down

Without Deshaun Watson and Joel Bitonio, there was plenty of reason to doubt that the Cleveland Browns stood much of a chance against the 5-0, San Francisco 49ers. By the time Week Six officially arrived, Cleveland was considered a massive home underdog at +9.5.

But they play the games for a reason thanks to a Herculean effort from its defense, Cleveland pulled off the unthinkable with a 19-17 win. to improve to 3-2 on the season.

In one of the most memorable regular season wins in recent memory, the Browns had a number of players rise up to face the challenge. Here's the latest installment of Browns Digest Stock Up, Stock Down.

Stock Up: Dalvin Tomlinson

Tomlinson was one of the first additions of the offseason as Andrew Berry looked to fix the Brown defense. He's already been a steady force in the middle of the defensive line this season, but yesterday he earned every penny of that two-year, $16.7 million contract. Tomlinson wrecked this game. He was constantly in the backfield, diverting run plays or making Brock Purdy feel some pressure. His efforts won't shot up in the stat sheet (he had just a single tackle on the day) but he was a tone setter on the Browns defense.

Stock Up: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah

When the Browns drafted JOK in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft, they had visions of this performance. The Notre Dame product was flying around the field on Sunday making plays in the backfield, tracking down running backs. He finished with five tackles, three for a loss, one sack and two quarterback hits. His ability to diagnose plays has taken a massive leap in year three.

Stock Up: Obo Okoronkwo

Another offseason addition who's part of Berry's great defensive remodel and like Tomlinson, the individual numbers weren't eye popping, but good defensive line play can get lost in the box score. Okoronkwo made his presence felt throughout the afternoon, even registering a QB hit on Purdy and a tackle for loss.

Stock Down: PJ Walker

It can't all be good. Alls well that ends well of course, and when you win by a thin margin like Cleveland did, you can argue he did just enough of what he was asked to do. But he's lucky his two interception didn't equate to more points – the first one ended with a missed field goal by San Francisco. He's also lucky he didn't throw a third pick on Cleveland's final offensive drive, when he got too aggressive on second down in the red zone. Expect him to know better there.

Stock Up: Dawand Jones

Did you notice Nick Bosa much or hear his name mentioned on the broadcast at all? Jones helped neutralize one of the best pass rushers in the game. His stock is heading to the moon at this point.

Stock Up: Kareem Hunt

It's unclear if Hunt has supplanted Ford as the team's top back, but it was noticeable that he was first up with the offense on the opening series. Speaking of tone setters, Hunt was that for the offense and score the team's lone touchdown of the day. The Cleveland native looked like he's back up to speed, which could be huge for the Browns run game without Nick Chubb.

Stock Up: Jerome Ford

Despite Hunt getting the first snaps of the day, Ford still out touched the veteran 17 carries to 12 and racked up 84 yards in total. A lot has been made about the Browns averaging just over three yards per carry on the ground since Chubb went down. On Sunday, Ford averaged 4.9 and as a team, Cleveland was at 4.7.

Stock Down: Elijah Moore

Aside from an impressive catch on the Browns opening drive after a high pass from Walker, Moore caught four passes for 19 yards, rushing one time for eight yards. Moore was supposed to be be "the guy" in this offense, but right now he's more like "a guy."

Stock Up: Marquise Goodwin

The Elijah Moore run package hasn't worked out so well, but the Marquise Goodwin run package may have some juice. His nifty, 20-yard run on a wide receiver reverse play on Cleveland's second series is something for Kevin Stefanski to remember.

Was Browns win over 49ers, Kevin Stefanski's Signature Win?

Stock Up: Dustin Hopkins

Simple question, how does that game go with Cade York? Hopkins had yet to kick in REAL Cleveland weather and despite the early miss, he redeemed himself by going four-for-five and nailing the game winner.