The Browns' organized team activities officially begin this week, the first of two weeks of light practices that represent the first time the Browns can all work on the field together this offseason.
It's important to note that attendance is still voluntary. The whole roster won't be in Berea, but that'll change from June 6-8 when the Browns begin their mandatory minicamp period.
Those three practices — which are the last time the Browns will be together until training camp — will arrive one week earlier than normal on the offseason calendar due to the Browns also starting training camp a week earlier to prepare for the Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 3 in Canton.
The pads don't come on until training camp, and the intensity in both OTAs and mandatory minicamp will be minimal, but there are still a few things to watch as the Browns take another big step toward the season.
1. Watson builds chemistry with new WRs
These spring practices are all valuable reps for QB Deshaun Watson as he embarks on his first full season in Cleveland — this is the time of year when a quarterback needs to build chemistry with new receivers, and Watson has plenty of them.
Elijah Moore, Marquise Goodwin and Cedric Tillman are all new additions whom the Browns want to feature heavily in their pass game. Moore and Goodwin each bring an extra speed gear to the offense, while Tillman adds some height. Both those traits were lacking in the Browns' receiver room last year.
This week represents the first time Watson will be able to throw passes to them. How will the initial connections look?
As soon as Watson has his timing nailed down with the Browns' new weapons, the more explosive the offense should look.
Check out photos over the years of the Browns' new Pro Bowl edge rusher, Za'Darius Smith
Za'Darius Smith poses for a photo at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 15, 2023.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Za'Darius Smith (55) celebrates after winning 34-26 against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
FILE - In this May 21, 2019, file photo, Green Bay Packers Za'Darius Smith takes part in an NFL football practice in Green Bay, Wis. It's an offseason of change at a hallmark position for the Green Bay Packers: Clay Matthews and Nick Perry aren't at outside linebacker anymore and the likes of Julius Peppers or Bryce Paup aren't walking through the door. That doesn't bother the Packers, who seem quite happy with who they have: Za'Darius Smith, Kyler Fackrell and Preston Smith. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer, FIle)
Za'Darius Smith poses for a photo at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 15, 2023.
FILE - In this Jan. 6, 2019, file photo, Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Za'Darius Smith walks on the field during the second half of an NFL wild card playoff football game against the Los Angeles Chargers in Baltimore. With unrestricted free agent linebackers C.J. Mosley, Terrell Suggs and Za'Darius Smith headed elsewhere after the release last week of safety Eric Weddle, the Ravens lost four key contributors while adding much-needed salary cap space. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Za'Darius Smith on the field during warm ups prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Za'Darius Smith poses for a photo at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 15, 2023.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Za'Darius Smith (55) in action against the New York Giants during the first half of an NFL wild-card football game Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Za'Darius Smith poses for a photo at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 15, 2023.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Za'Darius Smith (55) in action during the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Za'Darius Smith (55) in action against the New York Giants during the second half of an NFL football game Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Za'Darius Smith poses for a photo at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 15, 2023.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Za'Darius Smith (55) in action against Detroit Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker (68) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Za'Darius Smith (55) prepares to rush during an NFL divisional playoff football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Saturday, Jan 22. 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
Za'Darius Smith poses for a photo at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 15, 2023.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Za'Darius Smith (55) celebrates after a play during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Za'Darius Smith poses for a photo at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 15, 2023.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Za'Darius Smith (55) plays defense during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
FILE - In this Dec. 30, 2018, file photo, Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Za'Darius Smith gestures in the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns in Baltimore. The Green Bay Packers agreed to $183 million worth of contracts Tuesday, March 12, 2019, with edge rusher Za'Darius Smith, linebacker Preston Smith, safety Adrian Amos and offensive lineman Billy Turner. The signings should improve a defense that ranked 18th in the NFL in 2018 and add some more protection for quarterback Aaron Rodgers. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)
Za'Darius Smith poses for a photo at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 15, 2023.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Za'Darius Smith (55) reacts after a play during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Za'Darius Smith poses for a photo at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 15, 2023.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Za'Darius Smith (55) in action during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Za'Darius Smith poses for a photo at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 15, 2023.
Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Za'Darius Smith (55) reacts after a sack against the San Francisco 49ers during an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan 22. 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
Za'Darius Smith poses for a photo at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 15, 2023.
Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Za'Darius Smith (55) rushes during an NFL divisional playoff football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Saturday, Jan 22. 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Za'Darius Smith (55) celebrates after winning 34-26 against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
FILE - Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Za'Darius Smith (55) plays against the Detroit Lions during the first half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Dec. 13, 2020. The Green Bay Packers signed outside linebacker Preston Smith to a contract extension and released outside linebacker Za'Darius Smith and offensive lineman Billy Turner in a flurry of moves before the start of the free-agency period. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Za'Darius Smith (55) reacts after a play during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Za'Darius Smith poses for a photo at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 15, 2023.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Za'Darius Smith (55) lines up for the snap during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday, September 19, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
2. Jim Schwartz's new defensive schemes
There's a lot to be excited about on the defense, too, even though we won't really begin to see how much more talented the group can be until training camp.
New defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz was brought in to reshape the Browns' defensive line into a beast, and he now has the pieces to do it after the team acquired three-time Pro Bowl DE Za'Darius Smith in a trade with the Vikings last week. Smith joins new DT Dalvin Tomlinson and DE Myles Garrett as three powerful defensive linemen who fit into Schwartz's plans.
How different might the defense look with a new coach and a few new pieces up front? We'll receive a very preliminary glance over the next two weeks.
3. A look at the rookies
It's always exciting to see how a draft class appears to fit into the initial roster, although the Browns don't need to rush to find out how any of the current rookies might fit this year.
The Browns already had most starting positions and backup roles filled prior to the draft, which is why they were content with waiting until Round 3 for their first pick.
It'll still be intriguing, however, to see the first reps from Tillman and DT Siaki Ika, the two third-round rookies who perhaps have the best chance of cracking a considerable role this year. A smooth spring could help Tillman play his way into snaps in an already-crowded receiver room, while Ika could be a candidate for a heavy role in the rotation of the second defensive tackle spot next to Tomlinson.
Rookie QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson will also be worth watching whenever he's given reps in a QB group that includes Watson, Joshua Dobbs and Kellen Mond.
