The Browns are heading into 2026 with a roster that feels split right down the middle: a few groups built to carry the load, and others that still come with plenty of uncertainty. That contrast shows up fast when you line up the position groups from weakest to strongest.
Quarterback sits at the bottom, and not by much of a margin. The training camp battle between Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson ended with Watson getting the Week 1 nod.
He was mostly rough in the preseason, but Monken still believes Watson gives Cleveland its best shot to win, especially with a pair of road games to start the year. Watson’s Cleveland resume hasn’t given anyone much reason for optimism.
When he last played in 2024, he was 1-6 before his first Achilles injury. Even outside evaluations have been lukewarm: FanSided’s recent poll of 50 experts placed both Watson and Sanders in the “high-ceiling backup” tier.
Tight end comes next, and the issue there is simple - the room thins out fast. Harold Fannin Jr. gave the Browns a solid rookie season a year ago, but he also dealt with a late-season injury and had health questions hanging over his offseason work. After him, the depth chart is light, with Blake Whiteheart mostly functioning as a special teams piece over the last two seasons and seventh-round rookie Carsen Ryan behind him.
The offensive line lands in the middle of the pack, though it looks almost nothing like it did before. Cleveland has rebuilt the entire starting unit.
First-round rookie Spencer Fano is set to open at left tackle, and he’s already shown flashes during camp, even if the learning curve is obvious. The rest of the projected starters are Zion Johnson, Elgton Jenkins, Teven Jenkins, and Tytus Howard.
Behind them are Dawand Jones, Luke Wypler, and rookies Austin Barber and Parker Brailsford.
At defensive back, the Browns have some pieces worth trusting, but also enough uncertainty to keep the group from climbing higher. Denzel Ward and Tyson Campbell give Cleveland established corners on the outside, yet the depth behind them is shaky.
The backups include rookie Toriano Pride Jr., Noah Igbinoghene, and Mekhi Blackmon, and none of them were with the team during training camp. All three were previously waived or released elsewhere in the league.
Grant Delpit is back at strong safety, Ronnie Hickman Jr. returns at free safety, and Emmanuel McNeil-Warren was added in the draft, so there is at least some veteran presence in the secondary.
Running back checks in at No. 4, and the Browns are banking on the group becoming more dependable. Quinshon Judkins, Dylan Sampson, and Raheim “Rocket” Sanders are back on the depth chart, with veteran fullback Michael Burton the lone addition. If the revamped offensive line settles in, this could be one of the more dangerous run games on the roster.
Wide receiver feels like a real swing factor. Jerry Jeudy is the established name, and last season was a down one for him with 50 catches, 602 yards, and two touchdowns.
But his 2024 season - 90 catches for 1,229 yards - still shows the ceiling. The rookies may end up driving this room, though.
Cleveland took KC Concepcion in the first round and Denzel Boston in the second, and both arrive with strong college production. If that carries over, this offense has a chance to look very different.
Linebacker is even stronger. Carson Schwesinger, the reigning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, anchors the unit, and Quincy Williams gives the Browns a proven veteran beside him after signing in the first wave of free agency.
It’s a top-heavy group, but there’s usable depth too. Easton Mascarenas-Arnold was one of the camp surprises and looks ready for a bigger role, while Winston Reid and fifth-round rookie Justin Jefferson should be factors on special teams.
And at the top, the defensive line remains Cleveland’s most important strength, even after the offseason trade that sent Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams. Jared Verse came back in that deal, and he brings a strong first two seasons with the Rams: 125 tackles, 22 for a loss, and 12 sacks.
The sack total doesn’t match Garrett’s, but the pressure Verse creates still matters. Around him, the Browns have Isaiah McGuire, Mason Graham, and Maliek Collins returning, with Mike Hall Jr., Adin Huntington, Derek Barnett, Sam Williams, and Kalia Davis all in the rotation.
In Other News...
Browns Suddenly Face A QB Depth Question With Dillon Gabriel Sidelined
Dillon Gabriels sudden trip to injured reserve has turned what looked like a straightforward quarterback setup into an early-season depth issue for Cleveland. The rookie was coming off a strong finish to the preseason, when he helped lead the Browns to a win in the finale and threw three touchdowns, but a back injury now will keep him out for at least the first four games.
Deshaun Watson has already been named the Week 1 starter, so the immediate focus shifts to what the Browns have behind him while Gabriel recovers. For a team that had a chance to evaluate its young passer before the games mattered, the timing is especially awkward, and it leaves Cleveland waiting to see how quickly Gabriel can get back into the mix once he is eligible to return. [Read more 🡒]
Browns Final Roster Left Fans Stuck On One Surprising Decision
The Browns final 53-man roster brought the usual late-summer churn, but a few moves stood out enough to get fans talking immediately. Cleveland waived several players and placed one on injured reserve as part of the cutdown process, yet the reaction centered most on the club parting with wide receiver Luke Floriea. A fan poll showed that decision registered as the biggest surprise, with quarterback Dillon Gabriel opening the season on injured reserve close behind.
There were other eye-catching calls in the mix, too, including the decision to move on from offensive lineman KT Leveston while keeping quarterback Taylen Green around for his speed and possible package role. Roster day always leaves a few edge cases for debate, and this one felt especially notable because the Browns balanced present needs against longer-term upside in a way that left at least one lingering question about how theyll fill certain roles once the season gets rolling. [Read more 🡒]
Browns Rookie Is Suddenly Pushing For A Role Fans Didn't Expect
The Browns spent a late-round draft pick on Carsen Ryan with more than one job in mind, and early signs suggest they may have found a player willing to do the dirty work. Cleveland took two tight ends in the 2026 NFL Draft, but Ryan has stood out to coaches for his versatility and the kind of physical edge that can help him carve out a place early, especially with other candidates unavailable.
Todd Monken has already praised Ryans willingness to lean into a blocking role, and the Browns have even left open the possibility of using him as a fullback. That matters because Michael Burton remains on the roster despite injury concerns, which gives Cleveland a practical reason to keep exploring options at the position while Ryan keeps making the case that he can be more than just a traditional tight end. [Read more 🡒]