The Browns may have improved the top of the roster this offseason, but the depth chart still has some shaky spots that could get exposed fast if the injury bug shows up in Cleveland.
At linebacker, Carson Schwesinger gives the group a real boost after winning defensive rookie of the year, but he’s also been dealing with an injury in training camp and might need a few games to get fully up to speed. Quincy Williams, now entering his age 30 season, brings a steady veteran presence and played in 13 games last year. After that, the drop is real: Winston Reid has 23 career tackles across three seasons, and fifth-round rookie Justin Jefferson is expected to contribute more on special teams than defense.
Cornerback might be even more fragile. Denzel Ward and Tyson Campbell give the Browns what is probably their best duo on the roster, but the cushion disappears quickly behind them.
Myles Harden is lined up to handle the slot, while Noah Igbinoghene, Mekhi Blackmon, and Toriano Pride Jr. round out the room after joining the team on waivers. None of those three were in Browns camp, and if one of the starters misses time, the offense on the other side could have a long day.
The defensive line has starting talent in Mason Graham, Jared Verse, Maleik Collins, and Isaiah McGuire, but availability is already a concern. Graham missed part of camp with an injury, Collins is coming off a season-ending injury, and projected starter Alex Wright is out for the season after going down in a joint practice.
That leaves Mike Hall Jr., Adin Huntington, Derek Barnett, and Sam Williams to absorb snaps, with Barnett and Williams arriving after being cut elsewhere. Given how much rotation that unit will need, opponents are likely to try to lean on the run and wear them down.
Tight end is another spot where the depth looks thin behind Harold Fannin Jr. He had an impressive rookie year, then had surgery in the offseason before being cleared for camp.
If he gets hurt, the Browns are in trouble. Blake Whiteheart is the next man up, and he caught only four yards in the 2025 season.
Carsen Ryan offers some downfield juice after averaging 13.8 yards per reception at BYU, but he’s a seventh-round rookie. Cleveland may end up combing the waiver wire for help there.
And then there’s quarterback, where the room is as shaky as it gets. Deshaun Watson is listed as the starter, though he has not proven he can handle the position in six years.
Shedeur Sanders is the backup and may start this season, but his touchdown to interception ratio last season was upside down. Dillon Gabriel looked outmatched trying to move the football, and rookie Talen Green is too raw to be ready for NFL action this year.
That makes quarterback the thinnest spot on a thin team.
With that kind of roster construction, the Browns’ first- and second-year players should see plenty of action. There is talent here, but not much room for error, so Cleveland is going to need to stay healthy.
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