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3 Position Battles to Watch in Browns Training Camp

By Scott Rogust

Three position battles to keep an eye on once Browns training camp commences later this summer.
Three position battles to keep an eye on once Browns training camp commences later this summer. / Justin Casterline/Getty Images

The Cleveland Browns are coming off another strong offseason, thanks in part to the wise decision making by new general manager Andrew Berry. The Browns will look to capitalize on their vastly improved roster and clinch their first playoff berth since 2002. Before getting ahead of themselves (like they did last year), the Browns need to figure out the final roster heading into the regular season.

Here are three position battles to keep an eye on during Browns training camp.

3. No. 3 Wide Receiver

The Browns need to solidify the No. 3 receiver position.
The Browns need to solidify the No. 3 receiver position. / Jason Miller/Getty Images

We had to specify No. 3 receiver, because Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry are the undisputed starting wideouts for the Browns in 2020. Rashard Higgins does have the most experience out of all pass catchers viable for the slot position in Cleveland, but he only played in one game last season. The other veterans on the team are Damion Ratley and KhaDarel Hodge, but were relatively nonexistent on the stat sheet in 2019. One player who could shoot up the depth chart is sixth-round pick Donovan Peoples-Jones. While many will say that the rookie didn't produce much with the Michigan Wolverines, poor quarterback play certainly played a role. Peoples-Jones has the ball skills and athleticism to be a hidden gem in the Browns offense. If the 21-year-old has a strong training camp, he can send his veteran colleagues to the bench and reap the benefits of playing alongside Beckham and Landry in 2020.

2. Linebacker

The biggest weakness on the Browns defense is at linebacker.
The biggest weakness on the Browns defense is at linebacker. / Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

When you look at the Browns defense, their biggest weakness is at the linebacker position. The team allowed veteran Joe Schobert to sign with the Jacksonville Jaguars in free agency, leaving them with a young and rather inexperienced corps. Their starting lineup will consist of Mack Wilson and Sione Takitaki, who both have just one season of experience. From there, it's about finding one more linebacker to fill out the rotation. Third-round selection Jacob Phillips is a favorite, but he may have some competition from BJ Goodson, who had a pretty decent campaign with the Green Bay Packers last year. The battle at linebacker will be one plenty of Browns fans will keep an eye on, especially if Berry opts to sign one of the veterans available on the open market.

1. Safety

Cleveland has a decision to make when it comes to their starting safeties.
Cleveland has a decision to make when it comes to their starting safeties. / Michael Hickey/Getty Images

While watching the Browns in 2019, you saw clearly that their secondary was abysmal. That was mostly due to the lack of quality starting safeties. In their flurry of offseason moves, the Browns signed veterans Karl Joseph and Andrew Sendejo via free agency, and managed to snag LSU's Grant Delpit in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Even with those three names, the Browns need to look at their other options, like a JT Hassell and Sheldrick Redwine. Delpit showed issues with tackling last season in college (which he attributed to a high ankle sprain), Joseph has durability issues, and Sendejo's game is regressing. Head coach Kevin Stefanski needs to study this position adequately throughout the summer. If not, the Browns will see similar mistakes out of their safeties, much like last season.