Position Preview

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Photos: 2024 Position Preview - Defensive Line

The league's top defense ran it back with their defensive line during free agency, re-signing Harris, Hurst and Smith to contracts. Alongside Garrett and Okoronkwo, they kept their core unit together. The "engine" of the defense is fueled by veteran players who all helped the Browns defense excel in 2023. As a unit, they led the NFL in total defense – allowing just 270.2 yards per game – and passing defense – allowing 164.7 yards per game.

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Defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson (94) during a NFL football game between the Chicago Bears and Cleveland Browns on December 17, 2023 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Browns won 20-17.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during a NFL football game between the Arizona Cardinals and Cleveland Browns on November 5, 2023 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Browns won 27-0.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson (72) during the first day of mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 11, 2024.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during a NFL football game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Cleveland Browns on December 10, 2023 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Browns won 31 - 27.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive end Isaiah Thomas (58) during the Hall of Fame Game between the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns on August 3, 2023 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. The Browns won 21-16.

Austin Janning/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson (72) during the third day of mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 13, 2024.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive end Alex Wright (91) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Indianapolis Colts on October 22, 2023 at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Browns won 39-38.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson (94) during a NFL football game between the Arizona Cardinals and Cleveland Browns on November 5, 2023 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Browns won 27-0.

Chris Kim/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive end Isaiah Thomas (58) during the Hall of Fame Game between the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns on August 3, 2023 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. The Browns won 21-16.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive tackle Jowon Briggs (53) during OTA 6 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 30, 2024.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive tackle Maurice Hurst II (90) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football on September 18, 2023 at Acrisure Stadium. The Browns lost 22-26.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson (72) during the third day of mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 13, 2024.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive end Isaiah Thomas (58) before the Hall of Fame Game between the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns on August 3, 2023 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. The Browns won 21-16.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive tackle Maurice Hurst II (90) during a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on November 19, 2023 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Browns won 13-10.

Brent Durken/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive tackle Chris Williams (98) during the third day of mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 13, 2024.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Los Angeles Rams on December 3, 2023 at SoFi Stadium. The Browns lost 19-36.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on August 17, 2023 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Browns and Eagles tied 18-18.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) during a NFL football game between the Chicago Bears and Cleveland Browns on December 17, 2023 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Browns won 20-17.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) during a workout on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 10, 2024.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive tackle Chris Williams (98) during OTA 6 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 30, 2024.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive end Alex Wright (91), Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) and Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football on September 18, 2023 at Acrisure Stadium. The Browns lost 22-26.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive end Sam Kamara (92) during a preseason NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on August 17, 2023 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Browns and Eagles tied 18-18.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 7, 2024 at Paycor Stadium. The Browns lost 14-31.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 7, 2024 at Paycor Stadium. The Browns lost 14-31.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive end Sam Kamara (92) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 7, 2024 at Paycor Stadium. The Browns lost 14-31.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) during a workout on the second day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 11, 2024.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive tackle Jowon Briggs (53) during a workout on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 10, 2024.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) before a NFL Wild Card playoff football game between the Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans on January 13, 2024 at NRG Stadium. The Browns lost 14-45.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive tackle Siaki Ika (62) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 7, 2024 at Paycor Stadium. The Browns lost 14-31.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive tackle Chris Williams (98) during a workout in Phase II of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 7, 2024.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive end Alex Wright (91) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 7, 2024 at Paycor Stadium. The Browns lost 14-31.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson (94) before a NFL football game between the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns on Thursday Night Football on December 28, 2023 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Browns won 37-20.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive tackle Jowon Briggs (53) during OTA 1 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 21, 2024.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive tackle Siaki Ika (62) after a NFL football game between the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns on Thursday Night Football on December 28, 2023 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Browns won 37-20.

Chris Kim/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during a NFL football game between the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns on Thursday Night Football on December 28, 2023 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Browns won 37-20.

David Dermer/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive tackle Maurice Hurst II (90) after a NFL football game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Cleveland Browns on December 10, 2023 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Browns won 31 - 27.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during a NFL football game between the Chicago Bears and Cleveland Browns on December 17, 2023 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Browns won 20-17.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive end Sam Kamara (92) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans on December 24, 2023 at NRG Stadium. The Browns won 36-22.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive end Alex Wright (91) after a NFL football game between the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns on Thursday Night Football on December 28, 2023 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Browns won 37-20.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Chicago Bears and Cleveland Browns on December 17, 2023 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Browns won 20-17.

Chris Kim/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans on December 24, 2023 at NRG Stadium. The Browns won 36-22.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive tackle Siaki Ika (62) during a NFL football game between the Chicago Bears and Cleveland Browns on December 17, 2023 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Browns won 20-17.

Chris Kim/Cleveland Browns

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Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans on December 24, 2023 at NRG Stadium. The Browns won 36-22.

Austin Janning/Cleveland Browns

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Photos: 2024 Position Preview - Specialists

The Browns kept their core specialists together after a successful 2023 season, re-signing Bojorquez in free agency and extending Hopkins. Both Bojorquez and Hopkins have their share of accomplishments in their time in Cleveland. Bojorquez set the Browns single season punt average in each of his two seasons since joining the team as an unrestricted free agent in 2022, while Hopkins set a Browns record for most field goals in a season by a Brown by making 33 of his 36 field goals.

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Photos: 2024 Position Preview - Linebackers

The Browns linebacker room went through a number of changes during the offseason, as they lost Anthony Walker Jr., Sione Takitaki to other teams in free agency. However, they brought in Hicks and Bush for depth, as well as drafted rookie Watson in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Even with the changes to the unit, they are anchored by Owusu-Koramoah – who had a breakout season in 2023 -- and is likely to have a more prominent role in 2024.

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Photos: 2024 Position Preview - Safeties

The Browns brought back a key veteran to their safeties as they re-signed Rodney McLeod Jr. for his final season – which he announced on an appearance of NFL Network's "Total Access" in May – as well as extended Delpit in Dec. 2023. They have the necessary depth to the secondary with the presence of Thornhill, as well as anticipated growth from their younger players in Bell and Hickman.

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Photos: 2024 Position Preview - Cornerbacks

The Browns have a solid level of depth to their cornerback room, starting with the veteran presence of Ward and Newsome, as well as with the leap that Emerson took in his second season with Cleveland. The corners played an integral role in the success of the Browns defense throughout the 2023 season – Emerson led the team with four interceptions and tied with Newsome to lead the team with 14 passes defensed, while Ward recorded 11 passes defensed and forced two interceptions.

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Photos: 2024 Position Preview - Wide Receivers

The Browns added more talent to their receiving corps when they acquired Jerry Jeudy in a trade with the Broncos and extended him for three years. They have a solid group of pass catchers in Jeudy, Cooper and Moore, as well as the emergence of Tillman in his second year. Tillman was a standout in minicamp and was recognized for the work he put in during the offseason. Thrash, who the Browns drafted in the fifth round of the 2024 draft, showcased potential during OTAs and minicamp.

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Photos: 2024 Position Preview - Quarterbacks

With a healthy quarterback room, the Browns can use training camp to build their new offense around Watson and the talented receiving corps. They'll have consistency at quarterback from the start of the season in someone who can help facilitate the offense.

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Photos: 2024 Position Preview - Tight Ends

The Browns have solid tight end options that they can use as pass catchers and offensive weapons for QB Deshaun Watson. It all begins with Njoku – who will continue to have a prominent role in the offense. Njoku comes into the 2024 season leading the group after a standout 2023 season, in which he led the team with 81 receptions and a career-high six receiving touchdowns. Yet, Akins also has the potential to have a bigger role in his second year with the Browns.

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Photos: 2024 Position Preview - Running Backs

The Browns fortified their running back room during the offseason, as they signed Hines, Foreman and Ricci during free agency, who each have experience in the league and have played different roles over their careers. Hines has established himself as both a pass-catching threat out of the backfield, as well as a strong kick returner. Foreman brings veteran presence to the room as he is entering his eighth NFL and began his career alongside WB Deshaun Watson in Houston. Ricci is also officially listed as a fullback for the Browns and provides another weapon in the run game.

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Photos: 2024 Position Preview - Offensive Line

The Browns will see the return of key tackles during the 2024 season in Conklin, Jones and Wills. Having their tackles back in the mix will provide a lift to the offensive line that was depleted last season due to all the injuries. Bitonio, Teller and Pocic also anchor the Browns offensive line, and each play an integral role in the success up front. The Browns also re-signed Dunn, bringing back a long-time staple of the offensive line.