Position Preview

Presented by

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.

1 / 36

2 / 36

Wide Receiver Amari Cooper (2) 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

3 / 36

Wide Receiver Michael Woods II (12) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers on January 8, 2023 at Acrisure Stadium. The Browns lost 14-28.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

4 / 36

Wide Receiver Jaelon Darden (16) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on January 1, 2023 at FedEx Field. The Browns won 24-10.

David Dermer/Cleveland Browns

5 / 36

Wide Receiver Michael Woods II (12) before a NFL football game between the New Orleans Saints and Cleveland Browns on December 24, 2022 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 10-17.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

6 / 36

Wide receiver James Proche II (11) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Denver Broncos on November 26, 2023 at Empower Field at Mile High. The Browns lost 12-29.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

7 / 36

Wide receiver David Bell (18) 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.

Chris Kim/Cleveland Browns

8 / 36

Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) 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.

Ric Kruszynski/Cleveland Browns

9 / 36

Wide receiver Jaelon Darden (16) during a NFL football game between the San Francisco 49ers and Cleveland Browns on October 15, 2023 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Browns won 19-17.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

10 / 36

Wide receiver Ahmarean Brown (87) during the third day of mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 13, 2024.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

11 / 36

Wide receiver James Proche II (11) 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

12 / 36

Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Denver Broncos on November 26, 2023 at Empower Field at Mile High. The Browns lost 12-29.

Austin Janning/Cleveland Browns

13 / 36

Wide receiver David Bell (18) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Denver Broncos on November 26, 2023 at Empower Field at Mile High. The Browns lost 12-29.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

14 / 36

Wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) 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

15 / 36

Wide Receiver Amari Cooper (2) 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.

Brian Kolin/Cleveland Browns

16 / 36

Wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) 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.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

17 / 36

Wide Receiver Amari Cooper (2) after 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

18 / 36

Wide receiver Jalen Camp (84) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.

Bri Ali/Cleveland Browns

19 / 36

Wide receiver Jalen Camp (84) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

20 / 36

Wide receiver Michael Woods II (81) during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

21 / 36

Wide receiver James Proche II (11) 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

22 / 36

Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

23 / 36

Wide receiver Matt Landers (89) during the first day of mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 11, 2024.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

24 / 36

Wide receiver Matt Landers (89) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

25 / 36

Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

26 / 36

Wide receiver David Bell (18) 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

27 / 36

Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

28 / 36

Wide receiver Matt Landers (89) during the first day of mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 11, 2024.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

29 / 36

Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.

Bri Ali/Cleveland Browns

30 / 36

Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

31 / 36

Wide receiver Ahmarean Brown (87) during a workout on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 10, 2024.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

32 / 36

Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) 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

33 / 36

Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during a workout on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 10, 2024.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

34 / 36

Wide receiver Ahmarean Brown (87) during OTA 4 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 28, 2024.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

35 / 36

Wide receiver Jaelon Darden (16) during OTA 4 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 28, 2024.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

36 / 36

Wide receiver Jalen Camp (84) during the third day of mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 13, 2024.

Bri Ali/Cleveland Browns

Advertising

This Ad will close in 3

Advertising

gallery

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.

gallery

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.

gallery

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.

gallery

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.

gallery

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.

gallery

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.

gallery

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.

gallery

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.

gallery

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.