One of these Colorado stars is likely to be under the microscope when the Browns hold their rookie minicamp May 9-11.
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
If it seems like the pre-draft season has gone on forever, the good news is that is has bridged the gap to the next phase of the 2025 Browns season.
The veterans are coming!
It won’t be long before players will be running routes again on the practice fields. Exactly who will be throwing them passes is another story, of course, to be played out in the draft on April 24-26.
Here is an outline of important dates:
* April 17: Andrew Berry’s pre-draft media availability.
The last public words spoken by the Browns’ GM before the draft are usually vague and uninsightful, especially during the three years without a first-round pick. But after a very public scouting trip involving the top quarterbacks – and the two best non-quarterbacks -- in the draft, Berry will field an array of questions that he hasn’t been asked before in his six years on the job.
* April 22: Phase 1 of the voluntary offseason conditioning program begins.
Phase 1 consists of two weeks of strength and conditioning and limited meetings with coaches.
* April 23: Head coach Kevin Stefanski and selected players media availability.
It’s possible the Browns will add a second veteran quarterback by this date, or not. Either way, Stefanski will be asked about plans to fill out the QB room.
* April 24-26: The draft.
With the final installments of the DeShaun Watson trade paid in full, the Browns kick off first-round drama on Thursday with the No. 2 overall pick. On Friday, they own picks Nos. 33, 67 and 94. On Saturday, they own picks Nos. 104, 179, 192, 200, 216 and 255.
* May 6: Phase 2 of offseason begins.
Workouts are allowed on the field, but only at a walk-through pace. No live contact or offense v. defense. It's essentially two weeks of position drills.
* May 9-11: Rookie minicamp.
Open to media but not the public, the first look at the new rookies always is a media event rife with social media videos and hyperbole. Just look at that new quarterback zip the ball around!
* (est.) May 13-16: NFL schedule release.
Last year the NFL released the full schedule on May 13. No date has been set yet, but it’s possible it will come in this week this year.
* May 27: OTAs begin.
Phase 3 of the offseason program consists of 10 full team OTA (organized team activity) including three in a mandatory minicamp over four weeks. The OTAs are voluntary, of course, and will be the first time media will be able to take attendance. The media, however, are invited only to two of the 10 OTA practices.
* May 28: OTA session No. 2 open to media.
Is Myles Garrett on the field this year? The Browns included a $1 million workout bonus in his new, $160 million contract extension. If that’s not enough incentive, owner Jimmy Haslam poked him at the recent NFL annual meeting by telling reporters, “What we've challenged Myles on is by his practice habits, it's by his actions, et cetera, to become a real leader of the team. And he has said he'd do that and we're hopeful that he will do it.”
* June 2: Cleveland Browns Foundation Golf Tournament.
* June 4: OTA session No. 5 open to media.
* June 10-12: Mandatory minicamp.
The last team practices prior to summer break are usually a tip-off to the unofficial depth chart for the start of training camp. Thus, all eyes will be on the quarterback rotation among Kenny Pickett, the drafted rookie, and the veteran to be named later.
Shortly before going on summer break, the team will release its training camp schedule. All we know at this point is the Browns will have two preseason games on the road and the last one at home. The team will practice one day in Charlotte, NC, prior to Game 1 against the Panthers and two days in Philadelphia prior to Game 2 against the Eagles. The Game 3 opponent at home is to be determined.