Three new quarterbacks pose one challenge to the coaches. Preparing two to start is another. (Cleveland Browns)
As Browns OTAs begin, a look at where each position group begins – and where it may end
You must have an active subscription to read this story.
Click Here to subscribe Now!
Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
This may not be a good week for Deshaun Watson.
A sampling of the unsavory allegations made against him in 22 civil lawsuits will be retold by two massage therapists on HBO’s Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel airing on Tuesday night. Watson and celebrity lawyer Rusty Hardin declined an invitation to participate in the program and knowingly will take a PR hit in the court of public opinion.
But it should be a good week for Kevin Stefanski.
Starting on Tuesday, Stefanski will conduct OTA practices with his offense and defense on the field together for the first time in his three years as Browns coach. After two years of restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Stefanski can finally feel a sense of normalcy in the sanctuary of OTA practices “on the grass.”
The Browns will conduct 10 OTA practices over the next three weeks, followed by a mandatory minicamp on June 14-16. At the end of this stretch, Stefanski and his coaches will have a good understanding of starting positions and position rotations when training camp convenes in late July.
Here’s how position groups size up at the beginning of OTAs and what needs to be done prior to training camp.
Quarterback: Deshaun Watson, Jacoby Brissett, Joshua Dobbs, Baker Mayfield.
What’s up: Watson will be in attendance. Mayfield will not. Undrafted invitee Felix Harper was waived from the roster on Monday.
What to do: Introducing three new quarterbacks into the offensive system is a unique challenge for any coaching staff. Adding to that challenge is the real possibility of having to prepare Brissett, the top backup, to begin the season as the starter in the likely event of an NFL suspension of Watson. Understandably, this position group should preoccupy the offensive proceedings right through the preseason.
Running back: Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, D’Ernest Johnson, Jerome Ford (r), Demetric Felton, John Kelly, Johnny Stanton.
What’s up: Johnson’s $2.43 million restricted free agent tender puts him on the endangered roster list. Yes, everyone loves him, but it’s unrealistic to think the Browns would keep Chubb, Hunt, Johnson, Ford and Felton.
What to do: Chubb and Hunt should have a quiet OTA season to avoid any soft-tissue issues or accidental leg injuries. You may include Johnson in that grouping, too. The Browns need to learn how much they can expect from Ford in the running and passing game in his first year. Then, they will monitor the market for a trade of Hunt or Johnson, but more likely Johnson … unless Ford is particularly impressive. The only way I see a trade of Hunt is if Ford proves he can be the No. 2 back and handle the third-down role and some team offers a third-round pick for Hunt.
Wide receiver: Amari Cooper, Donovan Peoples-Jones, David Bell (r), Anthony Schwartz, Jakeem Grant, Ja’Marcus Bradley, Michael Woods (r), Javon Wims, Isaiah Weston (r), Mike Harley (r), Travell Harris (r).
What’s up: Bell is expected to be trained initially as a slot receiver, which he said he played about 15 percent of the time at Purdue. Cooper and Grant are veterans new to the team. Schwartz has to prove he can be more than a world-class speedster.
What to do: The top four receivers need as many reps as possible with Watson and Brissett. Stefanski’s transition toward more three-receiver alignments should be tipped off by his use of that set in OTAs.
Tight end: David Njoku, Harrison Bryant, Miller Forristall, Nick Guggemos, Marcus Santos-Silva (r), Zaire Mitchell-Paden (r).
What’s up: Unless there is a veteran addition here, it appears Stefanski will be greatly reducing his beloved 13 personnel set, aka three tight ends.
What to do: The Browns have until July 15 to negotiate a multi-year deal with Njoku, or he plays the 2022 season under the one-year franchise tag and will be a free agent in 2023. Santos-Silva is low-risk/high-reward project and figures to get a good look.
Offensive line: Jedrick Wills, Joel Bitonio, Nick Harris, Wyatt Teller, Jack Conklin, Chris Hubbard, Ethan Pocic, James Hudson, Black Hance, Michael Dunn, Hjalte Froholdt, David Moore, Drew Forbes, Dawson Deaton (r), Elijah Nkansah, Brock Hoffman (r), Ben Petrula (r).
What’s up: Conklin and Hubbard are coming off major surgeries; their availability is restricted at this point. Pocic probably is the most important new addition.
What to do: Harris is the heir-apparent to replace JC Tretter as the starting center, but Pocic, a second-round draft choice of the Seattle Seahawks in 2017 should compete for the job, with the loser filling the swing center-guard backup role. With Conklin and Hubbard probably sidelined until training camp, Hudson should get a jumpstart on his second campaign as a swing tackle.
Defensive line: Jadeveon Clowney, Taven Bryant, Jordan Elliott, Myles Garrett, Chase Winovich, Alex Wright (r), Stephen Weatherly, Isaac Rochell, Perrion Winfrey (r), Sheldon Day, Tommy Togiai, Curtis Weaver, Isaiah Thomas (r), Glen Logan (r), Roderick Perry (r).
What’s up: Clowney’s signing completes the defense and moves Winovich into the third end and rush specialist role.
What to do: The tackle rotation is wide open. Bryant, Elliott, Togiai and Winfrey are vying for two starting and two backup spots. The rumored addition of Ndamukong Suh is unlikely.
Linebacker: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Anthony Walker, Jacob Phillips, Sione Takitaki, Willie Harvey, Tony Fields, Silas Kelly (r).
What’s up: No position group has had less change than this one.
What to do: JOK and Phillips have to stay healthy through training camp. Simply have to.
Cornerback: Denzel Ward, Greg Newsome, Greedy Williams, A.J. Green, Martin Emerson (r), Herb Miller, Parnell Motley, Shaun Jolley (r).
What’s up: Minus the traded nickel back Troy Hill, this still can be arguably called the strongest position group.
What to do: Green and Emerson figure to compete for CB4 and CB5. Of the cornerbacks, Newsome would appear to be the only candidate to move inside against the slot receiver, though Emerson and Miller may get some reps there.
Safety: John Johnson, Grant Delpit, Ronnie Harrison, Richard LeCounte, Luther Kirk, Nate Meadors, D’Anthony Bell (r).
What’s up: The free agent-defection of M.J. Stewart weakened this overall position group.
What to do: Delpit and Harrison are candidates to move inside as the nickel back in some packages. That would require they stay healthy, and that has been a particular challenge for Harrison.
