The Opening Drive 7/28: The Position Battles That Will Define Browns Training Camp

We preview the position battles to watch as veterans report to Berea for Training Camp 2026.

Jul 28, 2026

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(Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)

While the quarterback competition will dominate the headlines, several other battles could have just as much to say about what the Browns become in 2026. Todd Monken’s first training camp isn’t simply about installing a new offense or getting players into football shape. It’s about identifying who fits the culture, who earns trust, and which young players are ready to become part of the franchise’s foundation.

When camp breaks in late August, the Browns won’t simply have named a 53-man roster. They’ll have answered some important questions about the future of this football team. Here are the position battles I’ll be watching most closely.

Quarterback

Everything begins here.

Deshaun Watson enters camp with the experience, but Shedeur Sanders enters with opportunity. The Browns have repeatedly said every position will be earned through competition, and quarterback should be no different.

I’ve said it before, and I still believe it now: if Sanders proves throughout camp and the preseason that he can perform at the same level as Watson or if he makes it close, the Browns owe it to themselves to find out what they have. Organizations spend years searching for franchise quarterbacks. If Cleveland believes Sanders has that kind of potential, contracts and previous investments can’t influence the decision.

This isn’t simply about naming a Week 1 starter. It’s about determining whether the Browns have finally found their quarterback of the future. The quarterback who gives Cleveland the best chance to win not only in Week 1, but throughout the season should leave training camp atop the depth chart.

The longer the battle goes and the more preseason snaps are played with the outcome still in the balance, the more I like Sanders’ chances to win the job. Watson looks fine in shorts and a t-shirt, but when live bullets are flying, I am interested to see who looks better; my money is on Sanders. I also have real questions about how Watson’s shoulder holds up week over week.

Nickel Cornerback

If there is one non-quarterback battle that could have the biggest impact on this defense, it’s nickel corner.

Mike Rutenberg asks more from that position than most defensive coordinators. His nickel defender has to cover in space, blitz, tackle in the run game, and communicate with the safeties.

Myles Harden enters camp with the inside track after starting there last season, but I don’t think this job is nearly as secure as many assume. Myles Bryant brings significantly more experience playing inside, Damarri Mathis has intriguing athletic traits, and Michael Coates Jr. has quietly put himself on the radar.

If I had to make a prediction today, Bryant is my favorite to win the job. He has logged well over 1,000 career snaps in the slot, has consistently been productive against the run, and offers the versatility Rutenberg covets. Harden may still have a role, but I believe this battle is very much open entering camp.

Wide Receiver

This isn’t just about who makes the roster; it’s about who becomes part of the Browns’ future.

Jerry Jeudy is firmly established as the No. 1 receiver from the outside looking in, but his positioning is far from secure with loads of talent behind him. Denzel Boston has generated as much buzz as anyone on the roster during the offseason program and already looks like the big-bodied X receiver Cleveland has been searching for. Isaiah Bond appears stronger entering Year 2, KC Concepcion brings positional flexibility, while Cedric Tillman, Tylan Wallace and Malachi Corley all have something to prove.

The player I’m watching closest is Tillman. Every offseason he flashes, but those flashes haven’t consistently translated to Sundays. If Boston continues to ascend and Bond takes the leap I expect, Tillman may find himself asked to play on special teams if he wants to make this roster.

Monken’s offense rewards complete receivers. Blocking, route discipline, and understanding the offense will determine playing time just as much as catching the football. I hope Corley can find a way to stick on the roster, but the numbers seem to be working against him as we start camp.

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