Daily News 19

Tag: Cleveland Browns

  • Shedeur Sanders Connects Deep with Jimmy Horn Jr., Reviving Colorado Connection

    Shedeur Sanders Connects Deep with Jimmy Horn Jr., Reviving Colorado Connection

    Key Highlights

    • Former Colorado teammates Shedeur Sanders and Jimmy Horn Jr. reunited on the Cleveland Browns practice squad in September.
    • The Browns signed Horn to their practice squad on September 18, bringing the receiver back together with his college quarterback.
    • A deep completion during practice showcased the existing chemistry between Sanders and Horn from their Buffaloes tenure.

    Reunion at Browns Practice Facility

    Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders and wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. rekindled their on-field connection this week, offering a glimpse of the chemistry they developed during their shared tenure at the University of Colorado. During a practice session at the team’s Berea facility, Sanders dropped back and delivered a deep pass downfield, finding Horn Jr. waiting at the other end. The completion served as an immediate reminder of the rapport the pair built while wearing Buffaloes uniforms, now translated into the Browns’ orange and brown.

    Colorado Connection Fuels Familiarity

    Sanders and Horn Jr. arrived in Cleveland via different paths but share a significant chapter in Boulder. Both players suited up for the Colorado Buffaloes under head coach Deion Sanders, with Shedeur Sanders operating as the starting quarterback and Horn Jr. serving as a key target in the passing attack. Their time together in the Pac-12 and subsequently the Big 12 allowed them to develop timing and trust in live game situations. That shared history compresses the typical learning curve for a quarterback-receiver duo, a distinct advantage when practice reps are at a premium.

    Practice Squad Opportunity for Horn Jr.

    The reunion became official on September 18 when the Browns signed Horn Jr. to their practice squad. The move provided the receiver an opportunity to continue his professional development while reuniting with a quarterback who knows his route-running nuances and speed profile intimately. For Sanders, the addition of a familiar target adds a layer of comfort and predictability to the scout team and developmental periods. The signing underscores Cleveland’s strategy of fostering continuity where possible, even within the transient nature of practice squad transactions.

    Why This Matters

    The Sanders-Horn Jr. reunion highlights a broader NFL trend where teams value pre-existing chemistry to accelerate player integration, particularly on practice squads where development time is limited. For the Browns, who invested a high draft pick in Shedeur Sanders, surrounding him with familiar targets—even in a practice capacity—can stabilize his progression and improve the quality of simulated looks for the defense. Horn Jr.’s presence also provides the coaching staff with a known variable when evaluating Sanders’ decision-making and ball placement against live coverage. As the season progresses, practice squad elevations due to injuries or performance needs could thrust this duo into regular-season action, making their current rapport a potential strategic asset.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    When did the Cleveland Browns sign Jimmy Horn Jr.?
    The Cleveland Browns signed Jimmy Horn Jr. to their practice squad on September 18.
    Where did Shedeur Sanders and Jimmy Horn Jr. play together before the NFL?
    Shedeur Sanders and Jimmy Horn Jr. were teammates at the University of Colorado, playing for the Colorado Buffaloes.
    What is the significance of their practice connection?
    Their existing chemistry from college accelerates on-field communication and trust, benefiting both Sanders’ development and the quality of practice reps for the Browns’ offense and defense.
  • Browns May Have Ideal QB Trade Partner After Injury Scare

    Browns May Have Ideal QB Trade Partner After Injury Scare

    Browns May Have Ideal QB Trade Partner After Falcons Injury Scare

    Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders will not be the starter for Week 1. GettyCLEVELAND, OHIO – AUGUST 27: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns warms up prior to a preseason game against the New England Patriots at Huntington Bank Field on August 27, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) GettyKevin Stefanski’s quarterback problems in Atlanta could give the Cleveland Browns a familiar trade partner before the season gets rolling.

    Falcons Face Quarterback Uncertainty Ahead of Steelers Matchup

    The Falcons were already preparing to open without Michael Penix Jr. when Tua Tagovailoa suffered an oblique injury during Thursday’s practice. Cooper Rush took all the first-team reps, leaving Atlanta facing the possibility of another quarterback change ahead of Sunday’s matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

    Tagovailoa is considered day-to-day, so the Falcons do not yet know whether they have a temporary scare or a problem that requires outside help. Penix, meanwhile, has returned to full practices following knee surgery but is not ready for game action.

    “You can get cleared for 11-on-11 or you get cleared for a game, but then you have to be able to do your job,” Stefanski said Monday.

    If Atlanta decides to explore the trade market, Cleveland would be a logical place to call. Stefanski coached both Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel as rookies last season. He knows their strengths, their limitations and how they handle his offense — useful background when a team needs help quickly.

    Rush gives Atlanta an experienced fallback. But if the injuries linger, Stefanski’s old quarterback room could be worth a closer look for Atlanta.

    Shedeur Sanders Makes the Most Sense for Falcons

    Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders will not be the starter for Week 1.

    For an immediate need, Sanders is the Browns quarterback who best fits the discussion. Gabriel is on injured reserve with a back injury and must miss at least the first four games. Whatever trade value he might have later, he cannot solve Atlanta’s early-season availability problem.

    Deshaun Watson has Cleveland’s starting job. Rookie Taylen Green has yet to take a regular-season snap and did not play for Stefanski. Sanders offers both familiarity and some experience after making seven starts under the former Browns coach last season.

    Sanders went 3-4 in those starts, finishing his rookie season with 1,400 passing yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. There has already been fresh trade speculation around Sanders, although most of it is unfounded.

    The harder question is whether Cleveland would entertain an offer. Sanders spent training camp competing for the starting job and now provides the Browns with their most reliable available alternative to Watson. Trading him would leave Green as the only healthy quarterback behind the Watson — who comes with significant durability concerns — unless Cleveland added someone else.

    Browns Open With Deshaun Watson Under Pressure

    Deshaun Watson of the Cleveland Browns warms up prior to a preseason game against the New England Patriots at Huntington Bank Field.

    Cleveland’s first unofficial depth chart lists Watson first, Sanders second and Green third heading into Sunday’s opener at Jacksonville. Coach Todd Monken also indicated Sanders will be active against the Jaguars.

    “I do,” Monken said when asked Wednesday.

    That clarification followed a discussion of a possible package for Green, whose running ability could add another wrinkle in specific packages. However, Sanders remains the more experienced choice if Cleveland needs someone to take over the full offense.

    Watson has appeared in just 19 games for the Browns since arriving in 2022 and missed all of last season following two Achilles surgeries. Monken has entrusted him with the offense, but Watson still must show he can stay on the field and make that decision pay off.

    The Browns begin with road games against Jacksonville and Tampa Bay before their home opener against Carolina. A productive start from Watson would give Cleveland more room to consider its options. An injury or early struggles would make Sanders considerably harder to spare.

  • Myles Garrett Nearly Joined Josh Allen in Super Bowl Bid

    Myles Garrett Nearly Joined Josh Allen in Super Bowl Bid

    The Cleveland Browns sent Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams in one of the most significant moves of the NFL offseason, yet the departure of the franchise defensive star nearly followed a different trajectory. According to Tom Pelissero of The Ringer, the Buffalo Bills had monitored Garrett’s situation for several years and launched a last-minute attempt to acquire the defender on the same day the Cleveland–Los Angeles deal became public.

    Bills Made Late Push for Garrett

    “But sources say another team called Cleveland on the day the trade leaked: the Bills, who had checked in periodically on Garrett’s availability for the better part of two years,” Pelissero wrote.

    Buffalo ultimately could not match Los Angeles’ offer because the Bills lacked a player of Jared Verse’s caliber to include in a trade package. The Browns received the young defensive end along with three draft picks: a first-round selection in the loaded 2027 class, a second-round pick in 2028, and a third-round selection in 2029.

    Verse Was the Centerpiece for Cleveland

    Cleveland general manager Andrew Berry explained that acquiring Verse was a primary driver behind the decision to move Garrett.

    “Chief among the considerations to make the decision was the inclusion of Jared Verse,” Berry said on June 1. “We receive a young, elite player at a premium position who will only continue to improve in his third NFL season. Jared’s passion and relentless style of play will be embraced by our fans. He will fit right in with the established identity of our defense.”

    During the offseason, the Browns even proposed a rule change that would have allowed teams to trade draft picks up to five years into the future. The NFL rejected the proposal, though it raises the question of whether a more aggressive draft-capital package from Buffalo could have altered the outcome.

    Age and Timeline Fit for Both Sides

    While Cleveland builds for the future with Verse, the Rams acquire one of the most dominant defensive players in the league. Verse, a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, already owns two Pro Bowl selections and was named Defensive Rookie of the Year in his debut season. At 25—turning 26 in November—his age aligns better with the Browns’ competitive timeline.

    Garrett, meanwhile, is 30 and will turn 31 in December. He has dealt with knee issues during the Rams’ offseason preparation, causing him to miss part of the preseason. Los Angeles has confirmed, however, that he will be available for the season opener against the San Francisco 49ers in Australia.

    Garrett Enters MVP Conversation After Historic 2025

    Following a historic 2025 campaign in which he set the NFL single-season record with 23 sacks and captured his second Defensive Player of the Year award, Garrett has emerged as a legitimate candidate to win the league’s Most Valuable Player award.

    Sports Illustrated reporter John Pluym named the new Rams star as his favorite for the top individual honor.

    “Myles Garrett will win MVP. There have been only two defensive MVPs in NFL history: Alan Page on the 1971 Vikings and Lawrence Taylor on the 1986 Giants,” Pluym wrote. “Was there a bigger story this offseason than the Browns trading Garrett to the Rams? No. Garrett is the best player in the league and will finally have the opportunity to play on a winner after several frustrating years in Cleveland. I’m going to predict 25-plus sacks for him this season and a Super Bowl ring.”

  • Travis Hunter Starts NFL Season as Jaguars’ Starting Cornerback, Setting Up Potential Shedeur Sanders Matchup

    Travis Hunter Starts NFL Season as Jaguars’ Starting Cornerback, Setting Up Potential Shedeur Sanders Matchup

    Jaguars Name Travis Hunter Starting Cornerback for Week 1 Against Browns

    The Jacksonville Jaguars have spent more than a year answering the same question about Travis Hunter: where will he play? As the 2026 regular season begins, the answer appears clearer than ever.

    Hunter enters Week 1 against the Cleveland Browns at EverBank Stadium as Jacksonville’s No. 1 cornerback and its No. 4 wide receiver, signaling that the Jaguars view defense as his primary responsibility while still leaving the door open for offensive contributions. The alignment reinforces what many around the organization have been saying throughout the offseason: Hunter’s biggest impact is expected to come on the defensive side of the ball.

    Offensive Role Remains Situational

    That doesn’t mean the former Heisman Trophy winner will disappear from the offense. Far from it. Jacksonville still plans to utilize Hunter in selected offensive packages, particularly in situations where his athleticism and playmaking ability can create mismatches. But entering Year 2, the Jaguars appear committed to making him a cornerstone of their secondary first and a situational weapon on offense second.

    Roster Construction Supports Defensive Focus

    Jaguars analysts have consistently projected Hunter to handle the majority of his snaps at cornerback while receiving specialized opportunities as a receiver. The decision makes sense given the makeup of Jacksonville’s roster. The Jaguars already feature established receiving talent, allowing them to be selective with Hunter’s offensive workload.

    Defensively, however, his elite ball skills, instincts and athleticism give Jacksonville a player capable of matching up with opposing No. 1 receivers. Several team observers have predicted that Hunter could quickly develop into one of the NFL’s best young cornerbacks if he remains healthy.

    Potential Hunter-Sanders Reunion Adds Intrigue

    Week 1 could also produce one of the season’s most intriguing storylines. The Browns will arrive in Jacksonville with plenty of uncertainty at quarterback. While veteran Deshaun Watson is expected to open the season as Cleveland’s starter, second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders remains one of the most closely watched players on the roster. Sanders impressed during the preseason before ultimately losing the starting competition.

    If the Browns decide to give Sanders a handful of snaps in Sunday’s game, fans could witness a reunion few could have imagined when both players starred together at Colorado. For two seasons, Hunter and Shedeur helped transform the Buffaloes into one of college football’s biggest attractions. Sanders threw the passes. Hunter made the plays. Now, for the first time, there is a realistic possibility that the former teammates could find themselves on opposite sides of an NFL field. Imagine the scene: Sanders drops back looking for a completion, only to see Hunter lined up across from the intended receiver. A friendship forged in Boulder would temporarily take a back seat to NFL competition.

    Whether that matchup actually materializes remains uncertain. Watson is still expected to handle the majority of the quarterback duties, and there is no guarantee Sanders will see game action. But the possibility alone adds another layer of intrigue to an already compelling opener.

    Jaguars Enter Season with High Expectations

    The Jaguars enter the season with significant expectations. In senior writer John Oehser’s final regular-season power rankings, Jacksonville checked in at No. 4 in the NFL, trailing only the Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams and Buffalo Bills. Oehser’s ranking reflects the belief that the Jaguars possess one of the league’s most talented rosters and are capable of making a deep postseason run.

  • Which NFL Team Faces the Toughest 2026 Schedule?

    Which NFL Team Faces the Toughest 2026 Schedule?

    NFL 2026 Strength of Schedule: Bears Face League’s Toughest Path, Browns Get Easiest Slate

    The NFL returns this week with all 32 franchises chasing the same destination: hoisting the Vince Lombardi Trophy on February 14 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. While the ultimate goal is universal, the roads to get there vary dramatically. Rebuilding clubs such as the Arizona Cardinals, Miami Dolphins, and Cleveland Browns enter the campaign with quarterback uncertainties and roster overhauls that make high draft picks a more probable outcome than a deep postseason run.

    Schedule Strength Shapes Season Trajectories

    Strength of schedule exerts a massive psychological and physical influence on every campaign. That dynamic heavily favored the New England Patriots last season when they navigated a slate featuring seven opponents holding a top-10 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and 10 of the top 13 overall. New England’s Cinderella surge ultimately ended in a lopsided Super Bowl defeat to the Seattle Seahawks, but it underscored how a brutal schedule can battle-harden a roster—or break it.

    Navigating the Brutal Waters: Teams with the Hardest Paths in 2026

    Based on opponents’ combined win percentages from the previous year, the Chicago Bears confront the NFL’s most demanding strength of schedule at .550.

    Chicago Bears: Division Crown Brings a Gauntlet

    Much of that heavy lifting stems from capturing the NFC North title for the first time since 2018, plunging Chicago into a divisional gauntlet alongside the Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, and Minnesota Vikings. High expectations rest on second-year head coach Ben Johnson and young quarterback Caleb Williams, especially given that the Bears close the campaign with a brutal stretch against the Bills, Packers, Lions, and Vikings in consecutive weeks.

    Miami Dolphins: Rebuild Meets Ruthless Calendar

    Right behind Chicago sit the Miami Dolphins with a .542 strength of schedule. Under new head coach Jeff Hafley, expectations in South Florida are tempered after the front office shed expensive veteran contracts to pivot toward a full-scale rebuild, leaving running back De’Von Achane as the primary offensive cornerstone. Combined with a punishing schedule and a promising 2027 draft class on the horizon, the franchise might ultimately favor securing an elite draft asset over snapping its long postseason victory drought.

    Arizona Cardinals: Zero Margin for Error in the NFC West

    The Arizona Cardinals land close behind with a .538 mark. Like Miami, Arizona transitions under a fresh regime led by head coach Mike LaFleur. While the roster boasts intriguing young talent—highlighted by third overall pick Jeremiyah Love in the backfield—playing inside the merciless NFC West against the Rams, Seahawks, and 49ers twice a year offers zero margin for error.

    League’s Easiest Slates Could Produce Surprise Contenders

    Conversely, the most favorable schedules belong to the Cleveland Browns (.429), New Orleans Saints (.434), and Cincinnati Bengals (.450). If historical trends hold true and regular-season variance flips expectations upside down, well-positioned squads like the Saints or Bengals could easily leverage their lighter paths to replicate New England’s surprising surge from a season ago.

  • Shedeur Sanders’ Browns Problem Could Worsen If Deshaun Watson Fails

    Shedeur Sanders’ Browns Problem Could Worsen If Deshaun Watson Fails

    Shedeur Sanders could already face a difficult path to playing time with the Cleveland Browns, and that challenge may become even more complicated if Deshaun Watson fails to perform.

    Cleveland’s decision to continue investing in Watson has drawn criticism, especially because Sanders’ development could become tied to the veteran quarterback’s future. ESPN analyst Jason Fitz questioned the entire structure of the Browns’ quarterback room.

    “What a mess. What an absolute mess,” Fitz said.

    Shedeur Sanders caught in Cleveland’s quarterback experiment

    Watson’s contract and status have made Cleveland’s quarterback situation unusually complex. Every decision involving the veteran carries consequences for the players waiting behind him, including Sanders.

    Fitz said the Browns have created a problem that extends beyond the basic question of who should start.

    “You have a quarterback situation where you’re trying to figure out what Deshaun Watson is, you’re trying to figure out what Shedeur Sanders is,” Fitz said.

    That uncertainty could limit Sanders’ development if Cleveland spends too much time trying to make the Watson experiment work before fully evaluating its younger quarterback.

    Sanders entered the NFL needing consistent opportunities to develop, but those chances could become more difficult to find if the Browns remain committed to Watson regardless of his performance.

    Browns could face pressure if Deshaun Watson struggles

    The biggest complication could arise if Watson fails to play well. Cleveland would then face pressure to make a change, but any decision involving Sanders would come amid intense expectations and scrutiny rather than as part of a carefully planned development process.

    Fitz believes the Browns have made their quarterback situation unnecessarily difficult.

    “The Browns have burdened themselves with this Deshaun Watson experiment,” he said.

    That burden could eventually affect Sanders as well. If Watson performs, Sanders may spend significant time waiting for an opportunity. If Watson struggles, calls for a change could place the rookie in a difficult situation before Cleveland has determined whether he is genuinely ready.

    Neither outcome gives Sanders the straightforward development path a young quarterback typically needs. The Browns still have time to establish a clear hierarchy, but their continued uncertainty surrounding Watson risks making Sanders’ first NFL season far more complicated than necessary.

    If the veteran ultimately fails to justify Cleveland’s faith, the pressure surrounding Sanders could quickly become even greater.

  • Browns Fans Want Dillon Gabriel to Stay, but Todd Monken Appears to Have Other Plans

    Browns Fans Want Dillon Gabriel to Stay, but Todd Monken Appears to Have Other Plans

    The Cleveland Browns may have settled their starting quarterback decision, but Dillon Gabriel gave the team another reason to reconsider how it views the rest of its quarterback room.

    With Deshaun Watson already named the starter, Gabriel delivered Cleveland’s most impressive quarterback performance of the preseason during Thursday’s 37-13 win over the New England Patriots.

    Dillon Gabriel leads five straight scoring drives

    Gabriel completed 12 of 15 passes for 186 yards and three touchdowns in the first half. He led five consecutive scoring drives without throwing an interception, prompting Kirk Herbstreit to make his position clear.

    “There’s no way, see, this was not a one-night Dillon Gabriel thing for me,” Herbstreit said during Amazon Prime’s broadcast. “I’ve seen this kid do exactly what he did tonight almost every start he made in college, whether it was at UCF, Oklahoma or Oregon.”

    He added: “I don’t know how you let him go, personally. There is no way I would let him leave.”

    More than preseason statistics

    Gabriel’s performance stood out because of how effectively Cleveland’s offense operated with him in control. The Browns scored on all five of their first-half possessions, producing three touchdowns and two field goals.

    Gabriel repeatedly put the offense in favorable situations, including a 52-yard completion to Ben Patterson after rolling left out of the pocket. He also connected with Luke Floriea for two touchdowns and found Ahmani Marshall for another score on third-and-goal.

    “What a great half, happy for him,” Monken said. “Guys played well around him. Certainly took advantage of the opportunity.”

    That opportunity came at a significant moment. Watson has already been named Cleveland’s starter, but the decision has drawn scrutiny after Browns fans booed him during the preseason.

    Shedeur Sanders has also received significant public support, making the Browns’ quarterback room one of the most closely watched in the NFL.

    Gabriel’s performance reflects his college career

    The strongest part of Herbstreit’s argument was that Thursday’s performance did not change his opinion of Gabriel. Instead, it reinforced it.

    The broadcaster pointed to what Gabriel showed during his college career at three different programs, arguing that the poise and efficiency displayed against New England were consistent with the quarterback he had already seen.

    Former NFL defensive tackle Breiden Fehoko offered an even stronger assessment.

    “The best quarterback play of the Browns preseason we saw tonight,” Fehoko wrote. “Dillon Gabriel is the guy who got screwed in this QB competition.”

    Whether Monken is interested in reopening the Week 1 decision remains unclear. Gabriel did, however, make one part of the discussion harder to ignore.

    If Cleveland does not view him as the starter right now, the Browns still must determine how highly they value keeping him on the roster.

  • 2026 Cleveland Browns Final 53-Man Roster Projection

    2026 Cleveland Browns Final 53-Man Roster Projection

    The Cleveland Browns open the 2026 NFL regular season against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sept. 13 at 1 p.m. ET. Before then, Cleveland will play one final preseason game Thursday against the New England Patriots and reduce its roster to 53 players by 6 p.m. ET Sunday.

    The Browns’ quarterback competition has been the focus of training camp, but Cleveland faces difficult roster decisions at several other positions. Tight end, cornerback and defensive line remain areas of concern, while the team must determine whether it can keep all four quarterbacks on its active roster.

    Cleveland Browns 53-man roster projection

    Quarterbacks (4)

    Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel, Taylen Green

    Keeping four quarterbacks on an active NFL roster is unusual. However, Cleveland is effectively treating Taylen Green’s rookie season as a redshirt year. Given Watson’s struggles, injury history and reception from the home crowd during the second preseason game — when he was met by loud boos — the Browns could keep Gabriel on the 53-man roster as an additional backup option.

    Running backs (4)

    Quinshon Judkins, Dylan Sampson, Raheim Sanders, Michael Burton (fullback)

    The Browns are competing for a third running back behind Judkins and Sampson. Raheim Sanders and Ahmani Marshall are the leading contenders, but Sanders has the edge after running effectively and showing that he can contribute in pass protection. Burton has missed a large portion of training camp with an injury, but he was Cleveland’s top fullback before being sidelined.

    Tight ends (3)

    Harold Fannin Jr., Blake Whiteheart, Carsen Ryan

    Joe Royer’s roster status is uncertain after the fifth-round pick missed all of training camp for personal reasons. Cleveland could place him on the reserve/non-football injury list to preserve a roster spot at another position.

    The position has also been affected by injuries, and the Browns still lack a clear running mate for Fannin, who led Cleveland in receiving as a rookie in 2025.

    Wide receivers (5)

    Jerry Jeudy, KC Concepcion, Denzel Boston, Isaiah Bond, Tylan Wallace

    Jeudy, Concepcion, Boston and Bond have established themselves as Cleveland’s top wide receivers. Wallace has earned the team’s trust as a pass catcher and can contribute on special teams, while Corley is a leading kick returner.

    Malachi Corley, Gage Larvadain or Luke Floriea could claim a sixth receiver spot because of their special-teams value. Floriea is a second-year player who grew up in a Cleveland suburb.

    Offensive linemen (10)

    Spencer Fano, Zion Johnson, Elgton Jenkins, Teven Jenkins, Tytus Howard, Dawand Jones, Parker Brailsford, Austin Barber, KT Leveston, Luke Wypler

    Brailsford, a fifth-round pick, appeared set to serve as the Browns’ backup center. However, he has not practiced in weeks or played during the preseason because of an injury. That could create an opportunity for Wypler, a 2023 sixth-round pick who previously appeared to be on the wrong side of the roster bubble.

    Defensive linemen (8)

    Jared Verse, Maliek Collins, Mason Graham, Isaiah McGuire, Derek Barnett, Mike Hall Jr., Adin Huntington, Kalia Davis

    Cleveland suffered a significant setback when defensive end Alex Wright sustained a season-ending Achilles injury. Even before Wright was lost, the Browns had explored the edge-rusher market and pursued reunions with Jadeveon Clowney and Za’Darius Smith before both players signed elsewhere.

    Barnett provides reliable depth, but Cleveland’s front office may need to make another signing or trade before Week 1.

    Linebackers (6)

    Carson Schwesinger, Quincy Williams, Easton Mascarenas-Arnold, Winston Reid, Nathaniel Watson, Justin Jefferson

    Schwesinger has missed several weeks of practice with an undisclosed injury, but the Browns are hopeful that the NFL’s reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year will return soon.

    Mascarenas-Arnold made the team last season as an undrafted rookie. He has lined up alongside Schwesinger and Williams in Cleveland’s base defense and appears to have a firm grasp on a starting role.

    Cornerbacks (6)

    Denzel Ward, Tyson Campbell, Myles Harden, D’Angelo Ross, Tre Avery, Michael Coats Jr.

    Cornerback is another position where Cleveland has depth concerns. The Browns could look to add a veteran to provide stability behind Ward and Campbell. Monken recently highlighted Coats, an undrafted rookie, as a player who has stood out while injuries have affected the position.

    Safeties (4)

    Grant Delpit, Ronnie Hickman, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Christopher Edmonds

    Edmonds, Donovan McMillon and Daniel Thomas are competing for a roster spot as backup safeties. Edmonds has been higher on the depth chart and has also played multiple roles on special teams.

    Special teams (3)

    Andre Szmyt (kicker), Corey Bojorquez (punter), Rex Sunahara (long snapper)

    The Browns have had two young punters, Nik Constantinou and Wes Pahl, compete with Bojorquez. However, special teams coordinator Byron Storer has said that Bojorquez’s job is his to lose.

    Bojorquez is projected to win the competition, allowing Cleveland to return its kicking unit for a second consecutive season.

  • Jacksonville Jaguars RB Bhayshul Tuten Sent Home Due to Illness

    Jacksonville Jaguars running back Bhayshul Tuten was sent home from practice on Wednesday, Sept. 2, due to an illness, according to The Florida Times-Union’s Ryan O’Halloran.

    What Bhayshul Tuten’s illness means for fantasy football

    For now, this is a big “nothing burger” because the Jaguars do not play until Sept. 13, when they face the Cleveland Browns. Tuten has an average draft position of 51 and is expected to take over the Jaguars’ lead running back duties on a full-time basis.

    View Tuten as a midrange RB2 in fantasy football and keep Chris Rodriguez Jr. as his handcuff.

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