Three hard questions on every Browns position group

Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.

Can we spend at least one football column without talking about Covid-19?

There may be a lot of questions about the coronavirus, but there are also many more about the Browns as they hit Phase 2 of training camp this week.

On Friday, coach Kevin Stefanski gets his full team on the practice field. Albeit the players will still be without pads, but it signals progress towards a more familiar training camp.

And with it comes some hard questions about a roster that is improved on paper but still unproven.

Quarterbacks

Probable starter: Baker Mayfield.

Backups: Case Keenum, Garrett Gilbert, Kevin Davidson (r).

1.Mayfield has impressed everyone by reporting in great shape, by connecting with teammates and the new coaches, and by committing himself to returning to the career trajectory started as a rookie. The Stefanski offensive system should be ideal for him. Now, can he win against good teams on the road?

2.Can Keenum return to the level he played under Stefanski’s tutelage with Minnesota in 2017 (11-3 record, 98.3 rating)?

3.How will Gilbert look in Stefanski’s system?

Running backs/fullback

Probable starters: Nick Chubb and Andy Janovich.

Backups: Kareem Hunt, Dontrell Hilliard, D’Ernest Johnson, Benny LeMay (r), Johnny Stanton.

1.How will the coaches divide the rushing load with Hunt on hand for the beginning of the season?

2.How creative will the coaches be in utilizing Chubb and Hunt on the field together?

3.Will Janovich have a big impact on the short-yardage run offense?

Wide receivers

Probable starters: Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr.

Backups: Rashard Higgins, Damion Ratley, KhaDarel Hodge, Taywan Taylor, Donovan Peoples-Jones (r), Ja’Marcus Bradley (r), D.J. Montgomery, JoJo Natson, J’Mon Moore.

1.With Landry being cleared to practice and promoted off the PUP list, can he realistically be 100 percent for the season opener?

2.Will Beckham Jr. and Mayfield get on the same page from the beginning of camp – and stay there?

3.What opportunities will there be for a third receiver, and can Rashard Higgins replicate the chemistry he shared with Mayfield in 2018?

Tight ends

Probable starters: Austin Hooper and David Njoku.

Backups: Harrison Bryant (r), Stephen Carlson, Pharaoh Brown.

1.Will Hooper’s offseason workouts with Mayfield pay off immediately?

2.Can Njoku improve his catch percentage?

3.Can Bryant develop quickly enough to challenge Njoku for the No. 2 role?

Offensive line

Probable starters: Jedrick Wills (r), Joel Bitonio, JC Tretter, Wyatt Teller, Jack Conklin.

Backups: Chris Hubbard, Kendall Lamm, Willie Wright, Michael Dunn, Evan Brown, Nick Harris (r), Alex Taylor.

1.Can Wills defy the odds and make the transition to left tackle without the benefit of a normal offseason and preseason games?

2.Does the opt out of three guards demand another addition or two at the position?

3.Can Harris get up to speed as a backup to Tretter?

Defensive line

Probable starters: Olivier Vernon, Sheldon Richardson, Larry Ogunjobi, Myles Garrett.

Backups: Adrian Clayborn, Chad Thomas, Daniel Ekuale, Jordan Elliott (r), Eli Ankou, Jeffrey Whatley (r), Porter Gustin, Robert McCray.

1.Will Garrett take his game to another level after being given a $125 million contract?

2.Can Vernon stay healthy and rebound with a solid season in his contract year?

3.After the opt out of veteran Andrew Billings, can Elliott accelerate his progression and fill the role of No. 3 tackle?

Linebackers

Probable starters: Mack Wilson, Sione Takitaki, Jacob Phillips (r).

Backups: B.J. Goodson, Willie Harvey, Tae Young, Solomon Ajayi (r).

1.This is it? Really?

2.Will the base defense evolve into a two-linebacker set?

3.What does Takitaki bring in his second season?

Defensive backs

Probable starters: Denzel Ward, Greedy Williams, Karl Joseph, Grant Delpit (r).

Backups: Kevin Johnson, Terrance Mitchell, Donnie Lewis Jr., Robert Jackson, Tavierre Thomas, M.J. Stewart, A.J. Green (r), Donovan Olumba, Jameson Houston, Andrew Sendejo, Sheldrick Redwine, J.T. Hassell, Montrell Meander, Jovante Moffatt (r), Elijah Benton (r).

1.Can Delpit progress rapidly enough to serve as coordinator Joe Woods’ key chess piece?

2 Will Williams get his hands on more balls?

3.Can Joseph stay healthy and make it through 16 games?

Specialists

Probable starters: Austin Seibert (kicker), Jamie Gillan (punter), Donovan Peoples-Jones (returner).

Backups: JoJo Natson, Dontrell Hilliard, D’Ernest Johnson.

1.Can Peoples-Jones strike fear in opposing punt and kickoff teams?

2.Will Seibert be more reliable on PATs?

3.Will special teams coordinator Mike Priefer be more willing to inject some gadget plays in the repertoire?