The Browns’ first unofficial depth chart for Week 1 didn’t leave much to the imagination at quarterback, and it may have answered a bigger question on the offensive line, too. But the strangest line on the sheet might be the one that left KC Concepcion off special teams entirely.
Deshaun Watson is listed as Cleveland’s starter, with Shedeur Sanders slotted behind him as QB2. Rookie Taylen Green comes in third after head coach Todd Monken told reporters a day earlier that the Browns were considering making Green active on game days as a third quarterback to potentially use his dual-threat ability in specific situations.
That setup makes sense on paper. Green flashed his playmaking skill in his lone half of preseason action, but he was still a sixth-round pick who spent camp behind Sanders and Dillon Gabriel.
He’s still developing as a passer, and Cleveland clearly wants Sanders ready in the backup role if Watson has to miss time. Green’s possible situational role doesn’t change that.
The more interesting move came up front. Austin Barber, who put together strong performances in Cleveland’s final two preseason games and sparked real competition at right guard, was listed as the backup right tackle. That keeps Teven Jenkins in line to start Sunday’s opener at Jacksonville.
So for now, the Browns’ projected starting line remains the one that was expected back in June: Spencer Fano at left tackle, Zion Johnson at left guard, Elgton Jenkins at center, Teven Jenkins at right guard, and Tytus Howard at right tackle. It’s a group that should be better across the board, though Teven Jenkins still looks like the most vulnerable piece, especially given the way the head coach has talked about him through the media. Jenkins also missed time in practice this summer because of injuries.
Barber still made this a real conversation. The former Florida Gators left tackle looked comfortable inside and turned in a pair of dominant preseason starts at right guard, enough to suggest Cleveland could keep working him there as the season unfolds. Long term, he still projects as the bookend to Fano on the right side.
The biggest surprise, though, was on punt return.
Cleveland listed Isaiah Bond as its lone punt returner for Week 1, which would be a notable twist if it holds. Bond returned only two punts as a rookie, and the Browns never used him in that role during this year’s preseason. Meanwhile, first-round rookie KC Concepcion got one chance to return a punt against the Chicago Bears and nearly housed it before a shoestring tackle stopped him.
That burst likely helped explain why the Browns waived Gage Larvadain on roster cutdown day. It also fits with Monken’s public desire to get his dynamic receiver chances to make plays, and Concepcion has made it clear he wants those opportunities, too.
Still, leaving him off the special teams depth chart altogether is hard to miss. It could be gamesmanship, or it could simply be Cleveland trying to protect a new offensive weapon. Either way, it stands out.
Cleveland Browns unofficial depth chart for Week 1
Position
1st string
2nd string
3rd string
WR-Z
Jerry Jeudy
Tylan Wallace
Malachi Corley
LT
Spencer Fano
Dawand Jones
LG
Zion Johnson
Zak Zinter
C
Elgton Jenkins
Parker Brailsford
Luke Wypler
RG
Teven Jenkins
RT
Tytus Howard
Austin Barber
WR-X
Denzel Boston
QB
Deshaun Watson
Shedeur Sanders
Taylen Green
RB
Quinshon Judkins
Dylan Sampson
Raheim Sanders
FB
Michael Burton
TE
Harold Fannin Jr.
Blake Whiteheart
Carsen Ryan
WR-Y
KC Concepcion
Isaiah Bond
LDE
Jared Verse
LDT
Maliek Collins
Mike Hall Jr.
RDT
Mason Graham
Kalia Davis
Adin Huntington
RDE
Isaiah McGuire
Derek Barnett
Sam Williams
WILL LB
Carson Schwesinger
MIKE LB
Quincy Williams
Justin Jefferson
SAM LB
Easton Mascarenas-Arnold
Winston Reid
LCB
Denzel Ward
RCB
Tyson Campbell
Myles Harden
SS
Grant Delpit
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
Daniel Thomas
FS
Ronnie Hickman
Donovan McMillon
P / HOLDER
Corey Bojorquez
K
Andre Szmyt
KR
Malachi Corley
Dylan Sampson
PR
Isaiah Bond
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