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Six practices in, much more is going on at Cleveland Browns training camp than just a quarterback competition. Lots of players are picking off passes. Rookie wide receivers Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion seem big-stage ready. Running back Quinshon Judkins looks healthy. And the remade offensive line is getting challenged every day by a stout defensive front.
A week past the start of full camp and 10 days ahead of the preseason opener, here’s a positional look at what’s been revealed so far and what still needs to be answered as the Browns prepare to move past the installation phase of things and into more competitive situations. (The position groups are listed in order of the author’s confidence in them at this still-early stage.)
Safety
Early camp impression: Grant Delpit got the extension he earned with an outstanding 2025. Rookie Emmanuel McNeil-Warren missed most of the spring, but he’s talented and is starting to show up around the ball consistently. Ronnie Hickman is playing for his football future on a restricted free-agent tender and is off to a strong start in camp. Veteran newcomer Daniel Thomas is a physical player who can contribute as a backup and special-teamer, and backup Chris Edmonds has intercepted three passes in six practices.
What’s complicated: With Delpit and Hickman entrenched, the Browns have to figure out McNeil-Warren’s best role. The preseason should help with that since Delpit won’t play much — or at all. The early feeling is the Browns will be in a lot of three-safety looks, but it’s too early to know for sure. It could come down to Thomas versus second-year player Donovan McMillon for the last roster spot, but Edmonds also wants to stick around. Certainly, McNeil-Warren belongs high on any list of players worth watching as August proceeds.
Defensive end
Early camp impression: The pass-rush group has so consistently been in the backfield that nobody’s lamenting the departure of some guy named Myles Garrett — yet. Garrett altered and wrecked opposing game plans, but the Browns only agreed to trade him if they could get Jared Verse in return. Verse has been one of the best players on the practice field and seems to be fitting in nicely. He’s a power-first player and the leader of a group that also includes Alex Wright and Isaiah McGuire, who’s entering the final year of his contract. Verse looks like a keeper, and for now that’s a fine place to start.
What’s complicated: The Browns have been searching for more experience at the position. They flirted with Jadeveon Clowney, who chose the Houston Texans, and in March a reported deal with A.J. Epenesa fell through. The shortage of healthy bodies at defensive tackle probably takes precedence for the personnel department, and in the preseason it’s fair to assume undrafted rookies Logan Fano and Khordae Sydnor will get plenty of chances.
KC Concepcion and fellow rookie Denzel Boston are off to strong starts in camp. (Nick Cammett / Getty Images)
Wide receiver
Early camp impression: The Browns drafted two wide receivers last April, and both — Concepcion and Boston — are off to strong starts. Second-year player Isaiah Bond had a strong spring, but he’s had a relatively quiet start to camp. It feels like Jerry Jeudy’s time as the de facto No. 1 wide receiver is coming to an end with Boston looming, but it’s too early to know how things will shake out. Veteran Tylan Wallace will make the roster but will probably be a backup and special teams player primarily.
What’s complicated: In Tuesday’s practice, Concepcion was limited by a shoulder injury he suffered Monday. It probably isn’t a major injury, but the Browns want the 21-year-old to continue to receive reps and opportunities. There likely isn’t room on the roster for holdovers like Cedric Tillman, Jamari Thrash and Gage Larvadain, but the Browns are still evaluating — and hoping their improved depth helps. More than anything, spotty quarterback play makes it hard to evaluate the wide receivers. But this group is definitely improved. These rookies can play.
Cornerback
Early camp impression: The newly extended Denzel Ward remains on top of his game headed into his ninth season and has arguably been the most impressive player in camp. Early concerns about the depth of the cornerback group seem valid, and the Browns signed veteran journeyman Tyler Hall on Tuesday as part of an ongoing effort to add experience.
What’s complicated: With Ward and Tyson Campbell, the Browns have a cornerback duo that’s probably as good as any. But the rest of the group remains unsettled. Myles Harden should again be the top slot cornerback, but nothing past that is clear. Veteran Damarri Mathis was signed last month after he missed all of 2025 with a torn ACL, and if he’s healthy, he can win a roster spot. But Mathis and fellow veteran Myles Bryant were sidelined Tuesday. Cornerback depth is something the Browns could look to address in the coming weeks.
Running back
Early camp impression: Judkins seems healthy and explosive. He didn’t have a training camp in his rookie season and spent last winter rehabbing from a significant leg injury, but he seems ahead of schedule and ready for a better season in 2026. He’ll undoubtedly be the workhorse.
What’s complicated: Dylan Sampson will probably play as a third-down back and kickoff returner, and Rocket Sanders is trying to make the 53-man roster as a special teams player and No. 3 running back. Browns coach Todd Monken wants to employ a fullback, too, but it’s too early to know how the offensive personnel will be utilized. Veteran fullback Michael Burton missed last season with an injury and did not participate Tuesday, but he’s expected back soon.
Offensive line
Early camp impression: Four starting spots seem settled, and KT Leveston is battling for the starting right guard spot after starting seven games at tackle last year. Rookie Spencer Fano will be the starting left tackle, but for now he’s alternating days with Dawand Jones. Another rookie, Parker Brailsford, will get some August chances to work with the No. 1 offense, but Elgton Jenkins is the starting center and likely will be when the regular season begins. Monken has been clear that he likes some of what he sees from the group but is open to further experimentation if necessary.
What’s complicated: The Browns know they did a poor job building tackle depth last season, so they’re hoping Jones can stay healthy and give them something. Rookie Austin Barber has worked only at right tackle to this point, but Barber played left tackle in college. Monken thinks Leveston is best at guard, and Teven Jenkins has been absent for several practices, giving Leveston a chance to lock up a starting job. It will be interesting to see how much Monken asks his veterans to play in the preseason for timing purposes and how the Browns choose to protect their competing quarterbacks if none of the veterans play in the preseason games.
Linebacker
Early camp impression: This remains a thin group. Veteran Quincy Williams is off to a strong start, and the Browns need him to be an every-down player. Carson Schwesinger seems on his way to stardom, but the 2025 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year has missed the last few practices with what the team has called a minor injury. Schwesinger is still working out and probably won’t be sidelined for long, but the Browns are being careful with one of their most gifted players.
What’s complicated: There’s a clear top two, but there’s no proven depth. Young players Easton Mascarenas-Arnold and Winston Reid are taking snaps with the starters, and rookie Justin Jefferson figures to make the roster as a special-teamer and developmental player. Preseason opportunities will be crucial for the construction and evaluation of the rest of the group.
Harold Fannin Jr. has seen plenty of targets in camp. (Nick Cammett / Getty Images)
Tight end
Early camp impression: Harold Fannin Jr. has to shake some rust after sitting out spring practices, but he’s healthy now and very much involved. Monday’s practice featured plenty of targets for Fannin, and that’s likely to continue. On experience, Blake Whiteheart seems to be the leader of the next group. But the offense has to get past the installation stage before we get a better feel for how many multiple tight-end groupings the Browns will employ.
What’s complicated: Rookie Joe Royer remains away from the team for personal reasons. Royer was a near-lock to make the roster, but the more time he misses, the less certain it is that he’ll be a part of the 2026 plans. Fellow rookie Carsen Ryan is getting snaps at tight end and fullback as he tries to win a roster spot. There’s a lot to be settled, but there’s a rising star in Fannin.
Quarterback
Early camp impression: It’s been rough out there. Deshaun Watson has been erratic. Shedeur Sanders has had two strong throwing days, but the offense has struggled with pre-snap penalties during Sanders’ turns with the No. 1 offense. Rookie Taylen Green is getting more comfortable but hasn’t gotten many chances as Monken tries to figure out the team’s best starting option. Dillon Gabriel has probably been the most consistently accurate thrower, but like Watson, he has thrown too many interceptions. Sanders is probably leading at this still-early stage, but there’s no indication of how Monken might alter the rotation next week or handle it for the Aug. 15 preseason opener.
What’s complicated: Monken left the door open for Gabriel to potentially compete for the job, which is anything but an endorsement of how Watson and Sanders have played. For now, Watson and Sanders continue to alternate days. There appears to be a chance for Sanders to create some margin given how poorly Watson has thrown the ball most of the time, so let’s check back in a week. Some ugliness early in camp was to be expected. But it’s also unclear if the Browns even have a starting-quality passer, and that’s a problem.
Defensive tackle
Early camp impression: It’s been a less-than-ideal start with Maliek Collins still rehabbing the quad injury that ended his 2025 season and some personnel shuffling further down the depth chart. Mason Graham is a more confident and comfortable player in his second season, and he has been consistently disruptive early in camp. But Graham was not on the practice field Tuesday because of an undisclosed injury, and veteran Sam Kamara also left practice early with an injury.
What’s complicated: Kalia Davis was injured on the first day of camp, and Mike Hall Jr. went from working with the starters early in camp to not being spotted on the practice field the last two days. The defensive line is one of the few areas where the Browns appear to have built depth, but it’s being tested early in camp. It’s a huge season for Hall, and the team still hopes Graham and Collins can be a formidable starting duo. It’s probably too early to say the Browns have an injury emergency at the position, but it’s not far off.
