DeShone Kizer’s game-winning touchdown pass Thursday was a big moment in Cleveland’s ongoing quarterback competition but it also meant a lot for the recipient of the throw, second-year wide receiver Jordan Payton.
The former fifth-round pick caught one pass for 3 yards during a rookie season that ended with a four-game suspension for violating the NFL policy on performance enhancing subjects. During the spring, senior offensive assistant/wide receivers coach Al Saunders jokingly asked “did we get a new 84?” as he praised Payton for his noticeable improvement.
“This guy is running fast, he's coming out of breaks, he's catching the ball, he's a competitive guy,” Saunders said.