The Opening Drive 8/12: Three Position Battles Shaping Browns Camp
As public sessions end in Berea today, here are the remaining unresolved position battles that will shape the early 2026 Browns depth chart.
Browns camp is pushing toward its conclusion. By definition it lasts through much of the preseason but, to me, camp is truly just the time before preseason games start to show up. The time spent alone, practicing against each other, and installing all three sides of the ball. Once these games start fans are no longer around Berea and the nature of the game feeling like the offseason has ended. Now it’s business. Today marks the final open session for the public and then the Browns will be in Chicago this weekend. Camp has basically concluded.
Todd Monken’s first run of his own version hasn’t had much drama but there are a few positions that still need sorted out in the coming weeks. I thought it would be good to visit the battle still looming and sort out where they stand and what names matter most.
Quarterback Competition
Deshaun Watson versus Shedeur Sanders isn’t really a quarterback competition in the traditional sense. It’s a referendum on whether Cleveland trusts a 30-year-old coming off two torn Achilles tendons and no live snaps since October 2024, or a 24-year-old who struggled as a rookie starter with seven touchdowns against ten interceptions. Watson entered camp as the favorite but struggled some out of the gate. Sanders closed the gap, which is a polite way of saying the door isn’t shut, but hasn’t don’t enough to convince the offensive staff he’s the clear leader. Watson, to his credit, has had a much better second week. Watson holds the edge but this competition remains open, and Monken wants that to be clear. They are labeled that way in the depth chart and Sanders will have his in-game opportunities to turn the tide. It’s hard to get a clear idea of when this one will settle but if it’s soon, it’ll be Watson. Sanders will need to convince in all three preseason games. Dillon Gabriel remains on the outside looking in.
Right Guard Competition
The offensive line has most of its shape already done but Monken illustrated where the final position battle is occurring with right guard. Due to an injury to Teven Jenkins, KT Leveston has taken advantage of his move inside and worked with the first team for much of the first week and a half of camp. Jenkins returned on Monday and still has a chance to lock down the role as others have settled around him — including rookie Spencer Fano now set to be the left tackle. Monken noted: “We’re still in that process of it. I think Teven (Jenkins) has the advantage there from experience and he’s played right guard before, so he has the advantage. At every position, we’re competing, but as of now, up front, that’s it.”
The game this weekend and joint practices with Buffalo next week are likely to settle the battle. Jenkins has to prove he can stay healthy over a longer duration — a big problem in his NFL career — so Leveston is likely to see some time this year regardless. I do think Jenkins is the better player currently so it’s likely he wins the job out of the gate.
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