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Cleveland Browns 2022 Training Camp Preview

Myles Garrett

(Jason Miller/Getty Images)

Cleveland Browns 2022 Training Camp
(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

Cleveland Browns 2022 Training Camp Preview

Who will be the Cleveland Browns’ quarterback for most of the 2022 season? That’s the most pressing question facing Cleveland as we inch towards training camp. The Baker Mayfield saga has come to a close after he was dealt to the Panthers on July 6. Deshaun Watson is almost certainly going to miss some time, it’s just unclear how long his suspension will wind up being. Without him, Jacoby Brissett is penciled in as QB1. He’s a serviceable backup who can probably keep the Browns afloat for a while, but he’s not going to lead them to the playoffs.

They have a pretty complete roster over in C-Town, but everyone knows you need a top-flight quarterback leading your offense to be truly competitive. Already boasting a stout offensive line, scary front seven, and elite running backs, this team just needs a quarterback to be considered one of the best in the NFL. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some key players and position battles in this Cleveland Browns 2022 Training Camp Preview.

Three Position Battles To Watch

Center: Nick Harris, Ethan Pocic, Dawson Deaton

Cleveland’s guards are the envy of most other teams. Joel Bitonio is a beast and Wyatt Teller has justified the big contract he signed a couple of years ago. However, JC Tretter’s release has created a void at center. Harris, who started only one game last season, is currently listed as the starter. Cleveland also brought in Pocic from Seattle on a one-year deal to offer some competition. Finally, Dawson Deaton was taken in the seventh round out of Texas Tech and he could factor in as well. The position is Harris’ to lose, and I think the Browns’ will stick with him since he’s been developed in their system over the past couple of years.

Safety: Grant Delpit, Ronnie Harrison Jr.

Delpit was the Browns’ second-round pick in 2020 and should get the opportunity to start. However, his spot is not assured. Harrison had a disappointing 2021, but he could still push Delpit for the starting job. He’s playing on a one-year contract, so he knows he has to prove himself. Neither of these players represent elite options and this is one of the weakest positions on the depth chart. If these two struggle, perhaps Richard LeCounte III gets some looks as well. He was a fifth-round pick in 2021 out of Georgia who hasn’t played much to this point.

Defensive Tackle: Jordan Elliott, Tommy Togiai, Perrion Winfrey

Taven Bryan looks like a lock to start on the right. The Browns have two monsters at Defensive End in Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney. That leaves the left DT spot to discuss. All of the guys listed were drafted by the Browns in the last three years. Elliott and Togiai were both taken in the fourth round in 2020 and 2021, respectively. Winfrey represents the largest draft investment as he went in the third round in 2022. The Browns will probably want to give him some time to get acclimated to the NFL in a reserve role, though. I think Togiai comes out on top in this one. He’s a huge dude, even by NFL Defensive Tackle standards, who put up 40 reps on the bench press during his combine.

Ready To Breakout: David Njoku

Njoku feels like a guy who is always supposed to breakout but never does. His best season came in 2018 when he had 56 receptions for 639 yards and four touchdowns. He’s failed to top 500 yards in every season since, yet the Cleveland Browns still signed him to a big contract this offseason. The organization must have some faith that he has better days ahead. With the receivers looking a little lackluster behind Amari Cooper, expect Njoku to get plenty of targets. I expect him to top his 2018 season with a big year.

Rookie To Watch: David Bell

Bell was pretty prolific at Purdue. He topped 1,000 yards receiving every year except his shortened sophomore season. In the season before he was drafted, he put up nearly 1,400 total yards. He should really help a Cleveland receiving corps that lacks depth. The Browns didn’t heed our advice and sign any free agent receivers, and that might work out well for Bell. Expect him to step into the slot receiver role right away and put up some pretty good numbers.

Fantasy Sleeper: Donovan Peoples-Jones

Peoples-Jones saw his numbers jump significantly from his freshman to sophomore seasons in the NFL. Entering year three, he could surprise a lot of people with his production. Everyone expects Amari Cooper to be the clear-cut WR1 for this team, but that might not be the case. He’s been in the league a long time and isn’t getting any younger. Cooper saw his production drop to its lowest point in three years last season. Perhaps that was just due to the surplus of talented receivers on the Cowboys taking away his targets. It could also be a sign of decline on Cooper’s part. Peoples-Jones averaged more YPC than Cooper last season. If he supplants Cooper or even just puts himself on equal footing in the pecking order, Peoples-Jones is in for a big year.

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