CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Browns roster, at this point, is essentially set. Things always change in the NFL, so never rule anything out, but once you get through the early waves of free agency and then the draft, it’s time to start getting ready to play games.
This is a roster in transition, pivoting from their failed all-in attempt over the last few seasons to working to infuse young talent on an aging roster and trying to open up a new contention window.
We’re still a week away from OTAs and getting to watch practice again, but when we are able to see practices, here are the positions I have the biggest questions about as the offseason program rolls on:
Will anyone separate at quarterback?
Cleveland Browns rookie minicamp day 2
Can one of the Browns rookies make a push to start at quarterback?Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
A four-way quarterback battle is fun in theory but it’s not super realistic on paper. The Browns probably need to have their competition pared down to two clear frontrunners by the time they get to training camp in July.
Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel represent their two biggest investments — Pickett was acquired in a trade, the first move the Browns made when the legal tampering period opened — while Gabriel was taken in the third round, a spot the Browns could have used to continue filling one of the many needs on the roster.
Neither was such a big investment that it kills them if they don’t win the job, but it’s worth noting in contrast to how they waited on Joe Flacco and passed on Shedeur Sanders repeatedly.
Sanders has the highest upside of the bunch as far as what he could become — a polished pocket passer who can run Kevin Stefanski’s offense efficiently — but he has work to do to climb the depth chart.
What feels more likely? The Browns unearthing a gem in this weird battle or finding themselves looking for a quarterback in next year’s draft because this was a battle between four backups?
Is there enough depth at receiver?
Cleveland Browns vs. Cincinnati Bengals, October 20, 2024
Cedric Tillman has a clear runway to earn the No. 2 receiver spot.Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
Want to talk about a position that can get thin fast? The Browns chose not to address this position in the draft and now they’re really banking on Cedric Tillman turning a strong three-game stretch last season into a full season.
Tillman caught 21 passes for 255 yards and three scores between Weeks 7 and 9 last season before a hit in Week 12 took him out for the remainder of the season with a concussion.
It’s fine if the Browns look at this season as a chance to see some of their young guys get chances — we’ll get to another position where that is happening — but they’re rolling the dice in a big way behind Jerry Jeudy with this group.
Behind Tillman, they bought a lottery ticket with Diontae Johnson and will take a longer look at Jamari Thrash, a 2024 draft pick. They also added DeAndre Carter to help boost their return game, too.
If those guys don’t hit, it gets scary.
Will one of the young edge rushers grab their opportunity?
Browns battle the Bengals at Paycor Stadium
Browns pass rusher Isaiah McGuire showed some promise at the end of the 2024 season.John Kuntz, cleveland.com
They managed to hang onto Myles Garrett this offseason and on the other side of the line they’re throwing bodies at the position.
Like receiver, there’s an approach here of giving young guys opportunities. Alex Wright and Isaiah McGuire are former draft picks who will get looks. Joe Tryon-Shoyinka is a former first-round pick who will try to live up to his draft stock. Ogbo Okoronkwo is still in the mix after a disappointing 2024.
Like receiver, maybe a young player will step up or maybe we’ll be sitting here in November lamenting the lack of a second edge rusher to go with Garrett.
How will the Browns replace Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah?
football talks to members of the media
Carson Schwesinger is in line to help replace Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, who will miss the entire 2025 season.David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com
Losing Owusu-Koramoah for the season was a blow but not so unexpected that the Browns couldn’t plan for it, which they did by taking Carson Schwesinger at No. 33.
Schwesinger will get a chance to play early. Jordan Hicks is a veteran presence in the middle who was effective when healthy last season. The Browns signed Jerome Baker and brought back Devin Bush and will see if they can cobble together a reliable linebacker group that includes former undrafted players Mohamoud Diabate and Winston Reid.
Will the Browns find answers at safety?
Cleveland Browns vs. Los Angeles Chargers, November 3, 2024
Grant Delpit's ability to make plays at the line of scrimmage was on display in 2024.Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
Another position where the Browns are throwing bodies at it.
This isn’t a team that likes to put its safeties in a box, but Grant Delpit is at his best in the box and playing downhill. Shoring up their deep safety would allow Delpit to thrive in that role.
Some combination of Damontae Kazee, Rayshawn Jenkins and Ronnie Hickman will try to fill that role after the Browns whiffed on bigger free agent signings in John Johnson III and Juan Thornhill.
Put a big red circle around this position and start getting to know college safeties next fall. This is one of the areas, along with receiver, that could use an infusion of talent next offseason after being mostly neglected this offseason.
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