CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Browns four-way quarterback competition began in earnest on Tuesday with the start of organized team activities, and Wednesday’s session will be open to the media. There will be plenty to watch during the practice, which will include offense vs. defense for the first time this spring.
Kevin Stefanski’s traditional West Coast offense is back, with some fresh twists and spins.
The offense, which scored a league-low 15.2 points per game last season, has a brand new running back tandem in second-round pick Quinshon Judkins and fourth-round pick Dylan Sampson, and a new starting quarterback from the pool of Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders and Joe Flacco, and a new offensive coordinator in Tommy Rees.
The defense has been bolstered by the Browns’ top two draft picks in defensive tackle Mason Graham and linebacker Carson Schwesinger. It also features two new safeties in longtime veterans Damontae Kazee and Rayshawn Jenkins.
Here are 10 things to watch:
Cleveland Browns rookie minicamp day 2
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders runs through a drill during the Browns rookie minicamp in Berea. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
1. Can Kenny Pickett stave off the other three QBs?
Acquired in a trade in March with the Eagles for Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a fifth-round pick, Pickett heads into OTAs as the frontrunner to win the starting job, and will go first in team reps when the full squad is together. Much of the time, the Browns will be “two-spotting” or running concurrent passing drills to provide the four quarterbacks with enough reps to fairly evaluate them.
But the Browns set their sights on Pickett early, and it’s a great opportunity for him to get his career back on track. I still have the pecking order like this heading into OTAs, knowing it can change over the course of the 10 practices: Pickett, Gabriel and then Flacco and Sanders three and four or four and three.
Flacco, who went 4-1 here in 2023, will certainly give Pickett a run for his money given that he knows the scheme, the terminology and much of the personnel. Besides, he’s got a cannon arm and will look excellent on deep balls to Jerry Jeudy and David Njoku.
As for third-round pick Dillon Gabriel and fifth-round pick Shedeur Sanders, they comported themselves well in rookie minicamp, and must come up the learning curve quickly if they want to remain in the hunt.
With a grueling early schedule, including 5-of-6 on the road, strong leadership and clean ball will be paramount.
Cleveland Browns vs. New Orleans Saints, November 17, 2024
Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford finds some running room on a rush in the first half at Caesars Superdome.Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
2. Can Jerome Ford stake his claim vs. the 2 rookie running backs?
Ford led the Browns with 565 rushing yards on 104 carries (5.4 average) last season despite sharing the load with Nick Chubb. This season, he took almost a 50% paycut to $1.75 million to remain with the team and prove he deserves to carry the rock. With excellent speed and hands, Ford, the Browns fifth-round pick in 2022 out of Cincinnati, can still be an effective weapon in this offense. But he’ll need to elevate his game in every way to carve out of a role for himself with Judkins and Sampson in the house. Fortunately for him, the Browns will run the ball a lot more this season, and there will be more touches to go around.
3. Can Diontae Johnson live up to his Pro Bowl pedigree?
Johnson, signed as a free agent, has an excellent chance to save his career and put himself back in the conversation for double-digit millions. He’s here on the veteran minimum, and knows this is arguably his last chance in the NFL after three teams gave up on him last season. He’s got the talent to flourish here, but must keep his head on straight and show how much he wants it. The good thing for Johnson is that he’ll be in a receiver room full of quality, high-character guys who will embrace him and help him be the best version of himself. The quarterbacks will also help. It’s a team where players must fall in line with the culture, or they won’t last long.
Cleveland Browns wide receiver David Bell warms up prior to the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Everbank Stadium in Jacksonville.
Cleveland Browns wide receiver David Bell warms up prior to the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Everbank Stadium in Jacksonville. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
4. The young receivers can make their mark
After Jerry Jeudy, Cedric Tillman and Johnson, the Browns have some recent draft picks who can make their mark with excellent spring practices and training camps. They are Michael Woods II, David Bell, and Jamari Thrash.
Bell is coming off surgery last season to repair a dislocated hip, and it remains to be seen where he’s at in his rehab. But the Browns have always liked his precise route running and good hands, and they’re hoping he can contribute this season. Woods gives the Browns a nice, big target, and Thrash has excellent speed and shiftiness. The Browns won’t play nearly as much 11 personnel this season — or three-receiver sets — and reps will be hard to come by. But any receiver who can get open, win the contested ball and make the tough catch will have an excellent shot. The Browns didn’t draft any receivers, giving these three a chance to level up.
With two sets of passing drills in OTAs, there will be plenty of reps for these guys to shine.
Browns battle the Cowboys at Huntington Bank Field
Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Dawand Jones blocks Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons on a pass play in the first half at Huntington Bank Field. John Kuntz, cleveland.com
5. LT Dawand Jones can make his case
2023 fourth-round pick out of Ohio State Dawand Jones excelled in his three-game tryout at left tackle last season before suffering a broken fibula in Week 11 against the Saints, and has been back working at the spot after recovering from surgery to repair the broken leg. Jones has kept his weight under control despite the layoff, and should be able to pick up where he left off. He’s never made a big deal out of switching from the right to the left side, and should be able to nail down the starting job. He’ll get a push from longtime veteran Cornelius Lucas, signed as a free agent, but it’s Jones’ job to keep.
Cleveland Browns vs. Denver Broncos
Cleveland Browns cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. is flagged for interfering with Denver Broncos wide receiver Devaughn Vele in the first half of play. John Kuntz, cleveland.com
6. Martin Emerson Jr. needs to rebound
Emerson was poised for a Pro Bowl-caliber season in 2024, but backpedaled a bit instead. Some think that’s because he was left on an island too often and might fare better with more zone mixed in. It remains to be seen if that’s in the cards. Regardless, Emerson needs a bounce-back year after one in which Pro Football Focus ranked him an unacceptable No. 121 among qualifying cornerbacks. Granted, PFF’s grades don’t always match up with those of the Browns, but Emerson has the talent and mindset to be one of the NFL’s better corners, and he must take it up a notch.
7. Greg Newsome II hoping for more
When I caught up with Newsome during Super Bowl week, he was hoping to impress upon the Browns that he wants more playing time as he heads into the final year of his contract. Playing on his fifth-year club option worth $13.377 million, Newsome wants to re-establish himself as an every-down corner instead of a nickelback who comes off the field vs. 12 personnel, or two tight ends. Do the Browns see it the same way? If not, will this be Newsome’s last season in a Browns uniform?
Cleveland Browns vs. Kansas City Chiefs, December 15, 2024
Cleveland Browns safety Ronnie Hickman fights to recover a fumble by the Browns on a kick off in the first quarter. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
8. Can safety Ronnie Hickman become a full-time starter?
Hickman, an undrafted rookie out of Ohio State in 2023, started five of his 14 games for the Browns last season, and can become a full-time starter with an excellent spring and summer. With Juan Thornhill and Rodney McLeod gone, Hickman can seize the moment. But he’ll get some stiff competition from two savvy veterans in Rayshawn Jenkins and Damontae Kazee, both 31, who have plenty of start under their belts. This season, the safeties who can force the most turnovers should move to the head of the class.
Kazee has a knack for the pick, tying for the NFL lead with seven in 2018, and grabbing seven more over his last three seasons in Pittsburgh.
9. How do the rookie defenders stack up?
No. 5 overall pick Mason Graham and No. 33 overall pick Carson Schwesinger had excellent rookie camps, but now they must hold their own against veteran offensive linemen and skill players. Graham will have his hands full with the Browns’ Pro Bowl guards and excellent center in Ethan Pocic. Schwesinger, who excels in coverage, will match skills against Pro Bowl tight end David Njoku and other premier skill players. By the end of OTAs, the two rookie defenders will know exactly what they’ll be up against this season.
Browns battle the Bengals at Paycor Stadium
Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku lunges for more yards as he is tackled by Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Maema Njongmeta in the second half.John Kuntz, cleveland.com
10. David Njoku
Njoku, a Browns first-rounder in 2017, is heading into the final year of his second Browns contract that pays him an average of $13.6 million a year, and has said he’d love to be here long-term. He’s coming off a knee injury that landed him on injured reserve for the season finale, and suffered a high ankle sprain that cost him three games early in the season. He wasn’t himself in the immediate wake of the sprained ankle, from which he may have rushed back. Njoku is eager for a rebound year, and will have a new tight end partner in third-round pick Harold Fannin Jr. The Browns will play a lot of 12 personnel, or two tight ends this season, and these two should make a formidable duo.
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