Is this the year safety Grant Delpit takes command of the defense and makes a huge impact? (Cleveland Browns)
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns and NFL analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
Kevin Stefanski’s sixth Browns training camp kicks off today amid low expectations externally.
Coming off a 3-14 season, and with an uncertain quarterback situation, the Browns have projected win totals of 4.5 and 5.5 on the popular sports betting apps and a roster rated 30th or lower by various football Websites.
“We’ve never had any hype around our team. Ever. So, it’s nothing new,” safety Grant Delpit said in a feature story authored by Tyler Dunne of Go Long.
This is definitely a transition year for the Browns as they begin the process of digging out of the crater left from the failed Deshaun Watson era.
The quarterback situation seems temporary while other positions are fortified by young players.
Despite the bad record of last season, there are few starting positions up for grabs. Quarterback is one, for sure. The others are No. 2 wide receiver, left defensive end and free safety. Feature running back is a question, too, pending the ongoing legal status of rookie Quinshon Judkins, who is the only player not under contract as camp begins.
Here is a look at each position group and how they might unfold over the next six weeks.
Quarterback
Probable starter: Joe Flacco or Kenny Pickett.
Others: Deshaun Watson (PUP), Dillon Gabriel (r), Shedeur Sanders (r).
Analysis: We’ll see how long it takes Kevin Stefanski to get serious about preparing his starter to start the season, rather than carrying on a faux four-man QB competition. Let’s not overthink this, people. Gabriel and Sanders should receive the most play time in the three preseason games.
Prediction: Flacco gets named the starter after the Eagles practice week.
Running back
Probable starter: Jerome Ford or Dylan Sampson (r).
Others: Quinshon Judkins (r), Pierre Strong, Ahmani Marshall (r), Troy Hairston (FB).
Analysis: Judkins blew a golden opportunity to begin his rookie year as feature back after being charged for domestic battery in Florida. The best he can hope for is to be reinstated from inevitable league suspension in the second half of the season. In the meantime, a back-by-committee approach, with Ford or Sampson as the lead dog, seems to be Plan B.
Prediction: Another back will be brought in midway through training camp.
Wide receiver
Probable starters: Jerry Jeudy and Diontae Johnson.
Others: Cedric Tillman, Michael Woods, Jamari Thrash, De’Andre Carter, Kaden Davis, David Bell (NFI), Gage Larvadain (r), Cade McDonald (r), Luke Floriea (r), Kisean Johnson (r).
Analysis: The WR2 job is Diontae Johnson’s to lose, and he easily could if he has trouble staying on the field, either because of nagging injuries or attitudinal issues. Tillman would be next up, but his availability, too, has been a problem. Thrash could be a longshot bet to climb into the WR3 spot.
Prediction: GM Andrew Berry’s wheelhouse is trading for receivers. He may have to call on that action once again before September. Keep an eye on the Packers, who have a surplus of young, unproven receivers.
Tight end
Probable starters: David Njoku and Harold Fannin Jr. (r).
Others: Blake Whiteheart and Brenden Bates.
Analysis: Given the dearth at receiver and the assumed return to multiple tight end sets, this group is remarkably thin.
Prediction: I would expect not one but two tight ends to be added very soon into camp. Maybe a veteran and an undrafted rookie.
Offensive line
Probable starters: Dawand Jones, Joel Bitonio, Ethan Pocic, Wyatt Teller, Jack Conklin.
Others: Cornelius Lucas, Teven Jenkins, Zak Zinter, Luke Wypler, Javion Cohen, Lorenzo Thompson, Jackson Barton, Brady Latham, Julian Pearl, Roy Mbaeteka, Dartanyan Tinsley (r), Jason Ivey (r).
Analysis: The overhaul of the O-line coaching staff, the return to the Bill Callahan wide-zone system, and the return to health of Jones and Conklin make this the strongest position group on paper. Lucas and Jenkins are good veteran pickups for depth. Jones’ full-time conversion to left tackle is a key development in camp.
Prediction: Jones and Myles Garrett will have some interesting encounters in training camp.
Defensive line
Probable starters: Alex Wright, Maliek Collins, Mason Graham (r), Myles Garrett.
Others: Isaiah McGuire, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Julian Okwara, Shelby Harris, Sam Kamara, Jowan Briggs, Adin Huntington (r), Ralph Holley (r), Cameron Thomas.
Analysis: There is a legit battle for the starting left end position between Wright and McGuire. The starting tackle spots and overall depth have been significantly upgraded. Once he makes the adjustment, Graham should revel in Jim Schwartz’s attack system.
Prediction: Amply motivated, Garrett will have his best season yet.
Linebacker
Probable starters: Jordan Hicks and Carson Schwesinger (r).
Others: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (PUP), Mohamoud Diabate, Devin Bush, Winston Reid, Jerome Baker, Nathaniel Watson, Easton Mascarenas-Arnold (r).
Analysis: Hicks’ five missed games in 2024 were his most since 2018. If he can stay on the field for 14+ games, this group should be OK. Depth is a question mark, though Baker was a good pickup and Reid can be a wrecking ball if given more time on defense. Schwesinger could be an immediate impact player.
Prediction: Reid works his way into more playing time in 2025.
Cornerback
Probable starters: Denzel Ward and Martin Emerson.
Others: Greg Newsome, Cameron Mitchell, Myles Harden, Nik Needham, Tony Brown, Chigozie Anusiem, Anthony Kendall (r), Dom Jones (r), LaMareon James (r).
Analysis: The No. 1 priority is holding on to interceptions. Ward missed at least six last year, and the others probably combined for six more. If Ward can improve at that part of his job, the defense would reach a higher level.
Prediction: In his contract year, Emerson bounces back and makes an impact.
Safety
Probable starters: Grant Delpit, Ronnie Hickman, and Damontae Kazee or Rayshawn Jenkins.
Others: Christopher Edmonds, Donovan McMillon.
Analysis: Include Hickman in the group that needs to secure the ball on interceptions. Kazee led the NFL in INTs in 2018, but hasn’t had more than three in a year since. Delpit is overdue for an impact season.
Prediction: Hickman establishes himself as a legit starting free safety.
Specialists
Probable starters: Dustin Hopkins (PK), Corey Bojorquez (P), Rex Sunahara (LS), De’Andre Carter (KR-PR).
Others: Andre Szmyt (PK), Brent Matiscik (LS), Jerome Ford (KR), Pierre Strong (PR).
Analysis: Hopkins must break out of his 2024 slump and Carter has to prove the return specialist role in Cleveland isn’t cursed. Otherwise, all is well.
Prediction: Berry will be keeping an eye all summer on possible waiver pickups at kicker and return specialist.