The Browns’ rookie class came out of draft season with a shiny “A” grade for filling needs and bringing upside, but that paper evaluation only goes so far. The real test starts now, and training camp is where Cleveland begins sorting out which of these newcomers can turn promise into production.
For first-round tackle Spencer Fano, the spotlight is obvious. The question is whether he can handle NFL defensive ends and quiet the concerns about his arm length.
He’ll get a steady stream of that challenge in camp, working against former defensive rookie of the year Jared Verse every day. Fano was drafted for his athleticism and speed, and the Browns are banking on that burst helping him compensate for a lack of length against the faster edge rushers now thriving in the league.
At receiver, KC Concepcion arrives with a different kind of burden. The issue isn’t speed or separation - it’s whether he can put the drops talk to bed.
Concepcion is described as a fast, athletic, always open target, and the Browns may use him in multiple roles on offense and special teams. Camp will be about concentration and finishing plays.
If the drops stay out of the conversation, that’s a strong sign he’s on track to become a major offensive piece.
David Boston, taken in the second round, brings size the Browns simply don’t have much of at wideout. At 6 feet 4 inches, he has a clear lane to becoming a downfield and red zone option.
The connection to Todd Monken’s time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is hard to miss: when Monken was calling plays there, Mike Evans - listed at 6 feet 5 inches - produced his best statistical seasons. Boston’s job now is to make that kind of impact in Cleveland’s offense.
There’s also intrigue on the back end of the defense with Emmanual McNeil-Warren, the second-round safety from Toledo. He’s viewed as a steal, and camp will show whether that college experience carries over to the NFL. The expectation is that he’ll process offenses quickly, put himself in position to deliver big hits, and show off ball-hawking ability.
The offensive line could end up being one of the most interesting camp battles, and Austin Barber is part of that picture. The third-round left tackle from Florida is being viewed as insurance for Fano. If Fano has trouble at tackle, the Browns could shift him inside to guard and let Barber handle tackle duties, which would help settle the left side of the line.
Center Parker Brailsford, a fifth-round pick, has a chance to reshape the middle of the line too. Elgton Jenkins appears to be the favorite to start at center, but if Brailsford proves himself in camp, Jenkins could slide to right guard, giving the Browns a more stable setup across the front.
On special teams, linebacker Justin Jefferson has a straightforward path to making an impression. His speed should play on punts and kickoffs, and he’ll also be trying to carve out a role as linebacker depth.
Tight end Joe Royer is another late-round name to watch. The idea of him becoming the best tight end out of the University of Cincinnati might be a “little” bit of a stretch, but he has the size to stand out and work the middle of the field behind Harold Fannin.
Quarterback Taylen Green brings a different kind of energy. He’s described as a very raw passer, but also a playmaker, which suggests the Browns may look for ways to use his athleticism in trick plays and quarterback sneaks. Camp will also be his chance to improve his accuracy.
And then there’s Carson Ryan, the final pick in the draft. The seventh-round tight end will have to make some noise quickly if he wants a roster spot. His high energy could help him catch attention in camp and earn depth duties on game day.
In Other News...
Browns Quarterback Battle Just Became A Bigger Deshaun Watson Question
The Browns quarterback situation already had enough intrigue with Deshaun Watson working through early training camp and rookie Shedeur Sanders trying to make his case, but it picked up another layer when former Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum floated a different direction on the Pat McAfee Show. His suggestion was simple enough: Cleveland should at least consider Sanders as the starter instead of continuing to treat Watson as the obvious answer, especially with Watson in the final year of his contract and the team still sorting out its long-term plan under center.
Sanders has the recent college experience and a small sample of pro-style pressure already behind him, having started seven games and gone 3-4, while Watsons status only gets more complicated as Browns coach Todd Monken works toward naming a starter soon. Monken has said the decision is coming, though he has not attached a firm timeline, and that leaves Cleveland in the kind of quarterback limbo where every practice rep seems to matter a little more than the last. [Read more 🡒]
Browns QB Battle Took A Sloppy Turn At Camp Friday
The Browns fourth training-camp practice on Aug. 1 offered another look at a quarterback competition that is still very much taking shape, with Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders both meeting with reporters before taking the field. The session had the usual camp mix of red-zone work, line play and player evaluation, but it also came with some early reminders that this is still a team sorting through rotation, health and execution as the quarterback battle unfolds.
Fridays work did produce some brighter notes, with defensive lineman Mason Graham drawing attention for a strong showing, but the overall tone of the practice was uneven. Several players were absent or limited, including guard Teven Jenkins, and the quarterbacks had their share of rough moments in a session that kept the focus on how quickly this offense can clean up the details while the competition remains open. [Read more 🡒]
Browns May Be Slow-Playing Spencer Fano At The Worst Time
Spencer Fanos first Browns camp has brought the kind of tug-of-war that usually says as much about roster building as it does about a single player. Cleveland has been rotating the rookie left tackle between the first and second units, alternating him with Dawand Jones as the staff tries to sort out where he fits and how quickly he can handle the jump into the mix with the starters.
Todd Monken has made it clear that rookies, even highly regarded ones, have to win their jobs rather than inherit them, and that approach puts Fano in a delicate spot at exactly the wrong time. There are already questions from some scouts about whether his frame and the move from right tackle to left tackle will complicate the transition, but the Browns still need a real look at him against the starting offensive line before they can know what they have. [Read more 🡒]