Before we dive into the list of top standouts from minicamp, let's make one thing clear.
The Browns had no bigger standout in the three practices than QB Deshaun Watson. He was the clear winner of the week and had multiple impressive moments each day, with Tuesday serving as his most crisp day of camp.
To learn more about how Watson looked, be sure to check out the notebook about his performance Tuesday and the synopsis from Thursday about how his week went.
This list will be about a few other players who flashed in addition to Watson. Don't forget that practices were mostly low-tempo, with the only true full-speed work coming in seven-on-seven periods.
1. WR Elijah Moore
The most interesting note about Moore's week was how many roles he appeared to carry in the offense.
Moore was positioned both in the slot, outside and even in the backfield throughout the seven-on-seven drills, which shows the Browns are taking a full dive into exploring the ways they can use his speed and versatility in the offense. The backfield positioning was particularly noteworthy and shows the Browns are ready to be as creative as possible when it comes to Moore's usage.
Moore, whom the Browns acquired in a trade with the Jets in March, also flashed with multiple athletic catches and was a constant target for Watson in red zone drills.
2. WR Jaelon Darden
Darden might've entered himself into the list of under-the-radar players to watch for training camp with the way he connected with Watson this week.
A fourth-round pick by the Buccaneers in 2021, Darden caught Watson's longest pass of his big day Tuesday during seven-on-seven drills and appeared to make the most of his reps when Watson was his QB. He also caught a touchdown during red zone drills in Wednesday's workout.
Darden will need to keep it going in training camp to carve a role in a crowded wide receiver room, but his value could be elevated with his abilities as a returner — he's averaged 9.4 yards per return across 52 career punt returns.
Check out the action from practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus as the Browns go through Veteran Minicamp
Wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) during the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17), Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4), Bernie Kosar and Tight end David Njoku (85) after the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Defensive tackle Maurice Hurst II (90) during the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
David Mays after the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Cornerback Caleb Biggers (39) during the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Bernie Kosar breaks the team down after the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Phil Taylor after the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Center Ethan Pocic (55) during the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski speaks to the team after the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz during the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Bernie Kosar and Tight end David Njoku (85) after the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) and the team during the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Dave Zastudil after the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Cornerback Mike Ford Jr. (27) during the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Safety Rodney McLeod (26) during the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Safety D'Anthony Bell (37) during the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Linebacker Jacob Phillips (50) during the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Offensive tackle Michael Dunn (68) during the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (11) during the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Quarterback Joshua Dobbs (15) during the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Senior Offensive Assistant Bill Musgrave during the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (28) during the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (11) during the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Punter Corey Bojorquez (13) and Punter Joseph Charlton (16) during the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Linebackers Coach Jason Tarver during the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Quarterback Joshua Dobbs (15) during the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Long snapper Charley Hughlett (47) during the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Greg Pruitt after the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz during the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Linebacker Charlie Thomas III (35) during the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Center Nick Harris (53) during the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Pass Game Coordinator/Wide Receivers Coach Chad O'Shea during the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (74) during the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Greg Pruitt and Running back Demetric Felton Jr. (25) after the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Running Back Hassan Hall (30) during the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) during the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Linebacker Jordan Kunaszyk (51) during the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Linebacker Tony Fields II (42) during the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Linebacker Matthew Adams (40) during the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Wide receiver Ra'Shaun Henry (86) during the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (43) during the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (28) during the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Linebackers Coach Jason Tarver during the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Linebacker Tony Fields II (42) during the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Safety D'Anthony Bell (37) during the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Wide receiver Marquise Goodwin (19) during the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Cornerback A.J. Green III (38) during the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (43) during the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Linebacker Matthew Adams (40) during the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
Linebacker Tony Fields II (42) during the third day of Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 8, 2023.
3. DE Za'Darius Smith
With no pads and no contact, the setting was difficult for any defenders to truly stand out during minicamp, but Smith offered perhaps the most noteworthy defensive takeaway from the week because of where he was positioned.
Rather than playing on the outside as an edge rusher, Smith was lined up in the interior at times throughout drills. Ogbo Okoronkwo, the other big defensive end addition of the offseason, was on the edge when Smith worked inside.
Minicamp is the time for coaches to tinker with various matchups, and it appears defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz has big plans to use Smith on the inside for various packages of the Browns' rebuilt defense. The combination of Myles Garrett, Dalvin Tomlinson, Smith and Okoronkwo would be a handful for opposing offensive lines,
"I think Coach Schwartz and our defensive staff, you're always looking for matchups and to have versatility among that front," head coach Kevin Stefanski said. "Really, all of our D-ends can rush inside, and that allows you game by game, to move the pieces around as you see fit."
