theathleticuk
Spring football was just the beginning for the Cleveland Browns revamped offensive lineup and first-year coach Todd Monkens evolving offensive scheme.
The Browns will either have four or five new starting offensive linemen, havent yet settled on a starting quarterback and figure to also decide backup roles at multiple spots during training camp and preseason competition.
Advertisement Mostly by necessity, the teams most significant offseason investments were in the offensive line, with the free-agent signings of Zion Johnson and Elgton Jenkins, a trade (and extension) for Tytus Howard and the drafting of two tackles, starting with Spencer Fano at No.
9 in the first round.
The Browns will use August to determine if third-round tackle Austin Barber wins a backup job or competes for time at right guard, while fifth-round rookie center Parker Brailsford is also expected to take reps with the starters.
With a new staff in place and tackle Dawand Jones and center Luke Wypler signed only through 2026, theres much to be settled across the line.
Its much safer to assume the Browns will have multiple young players making immediate contributions at wide receiver than on the offensive line, based on the teams seven spring practices open to reporters.
And at the risk of spraining an ankle jumping to conclusions more than a month before training camp begins, the wide receiver group appears primed to take a much-needed leap in overall talent and playmaking ability.
Jerry Jeudy remains the No.
1 wide receiver by experience and past production, but after a disappointing 2025 season on all fronts, Jeudy has more talented company than he had last season.
The Browns used consecutive draft picks late in the first round (KC Concepcion) and early in the second (Denzel Boston) on wide receivers, and both are in the immediate plans.
Concepcion will line up all over the formation as the Browns look for the best ways to utilize his explosiveness, while Boston is a true outside receiver who might have been the most impressive offensive player in the teams spring sessions.
Isaiah Bond was an undrafted rookie who flashed speed in his first NFL season, while the Browns lone veteran free agent acquisition at the position was Tylan Wallace, who played under Monken in Baltimore the last three seasons.
Wallace has mostly been a backup and a special teams player over his five NFL seasons, and he seems in line to win a similar role with the Browns.
Who else could be in the mix, and how might the early rotation shake out? Lets explore.
The top tier Jeudy dropped too many passes in 2025; his 10 drops were tied for second most in the NFL.
Jeudys fumble while trying to find extra yards during a win in Las Vegas was also head-scratchingly bad for an experienced player in whom the Browns heavily invested.
Advertisement But the Browns still believe the 27-year-old is explosive and skilled enough to bounce back after he posted just 602 receiving yards in 2025, the lowest of his career when he played close to a full season.
Jeudy said the right things in the spring about liking Monkens offense, working to limit the drops and believing he can still be a consistent threat, and new wide receivers coach Christian Jones said Jeudys mindset has been great.
More than anything, the Browns believe Jeudy being surrounded by better players will give him more chances to create explosive plays.
Boston seemed to make a big play in nearly every spring practice session that was open to reporters, and Concepcion flashed big-time speed.
Jones said Concepcion has worked to address the major flaw in his game from his three-year college career, a more-than-occasional case of the drops, and that Boston has been really focused on getting better in every aspect of his game.
Jones said Bostons big (6-foot-4) frame allows him to reach over smaller defenders to make contested catches and that both rookies have shown a willingness to focus on small details that can help them become immediate contributors.
Expectations are great but its all about the work they put in, Jones said.
Its always up to them.
First try, take two Bond looked like a stronger, more confident player throughout the spring than he did at any point in his rookie season.
After serving in a part-time role and mostly as a deep-ball specialist, his added strength and comfort level should give Bond a chance to compete for more snaps and to turn opportunities into more consistently positive plays.
Bond said hes added about 15 pounds of straight muscle after playing his rookie season at around 175 pounds.
The Browns didnt sign Bond until mid-August, but because of the teams lack of explosion and experience in the receiving group, Bond was in the rotation right away.
This years group is clearly better and deeper, and Bond figures to challenge Concepcion for opportunities both on scripted deep passes and in the quick passing game.
Advertisement Jones said Bonds added strength shows up in his ability to take on defenders and that Bonds comfort level with the offense has allowed him to run better and sharper routes.
Bond gave vague answers when reporters asked about his first full offseason and what specific improvements hes been able to make, but hes certainly making progress.
I definitely have a confident game, Bond said.
I feel like a veteran when Im on the field.
Veteran presence Wallace, 27, has just 22 career receptions.
But he caught a touchdown pass in each of the last two seasons, and hes currently the only player on the Browns roster whos previously played under Monken.
Wallace will compete for one of Clevelands kickoff return jobs while likely backing up Concepcion on the punt return unit, and though he has extensive special teams experience, he played more wide receiver snaps than special teams snaps for Baltimore in 2024 and 2025.
While playing with Clevelands No.
2 offense, Wallace posted two big plays in the vertical passing game during the teams June mandatory minicamp.
So while his primary role might be as a backup and a tutor, he could also be in the wide receiver mix as the season progresses.
Tylan has been great, Jones said.
Ive been leaning on him in the meetings and hes been helping me.
Hes just been doing a job of making plays he knows what to do and does it full speed.
Others in the mix Jeudy, Concepcion, Boston, Bond and Wallace look to be roster locks, assuming health.
Malachi Corley was a nice find by the Browns pro personnel department last year and will again try to win a roster spot, but Concepcion figures to take the offensive role that Corley filled late last season.
Bostons arrival doesnt necessarily mean that Cedric Tillman is out the door ahead of the final year of his contract, but Tillman had a quiet spring and certainly is on the roster bubble.
Another returnee on the bubble is Jamari Thrash, who will be given a chance to compete for slot receiver snaps but appears to have been clearly passed by Concepcion and Bond.
The Browns used a lot of pre-snap motion to set up misdirection plays and utilized a lot of bubble screens in the quick game in the spring, and those plays figure to be designed for players with skill sets like Concepcion and Corley have.
Advertisement Second-year players Gage Larvadain and Luke Floriea made notable plays late in the spring session, but both are likely practice squad candidates.
Theyll compete with Wallace, Corley and undrafted rookie Kole Wilson for return-game duties in the preseason.
Wilson and Aaron Anderson, another undrafted rookie, are practice squad candidates.
The NFL announced this week that the Browns veterans will report to training camp on July 28.
The Browns have yet to formally announce dates and details for their training camp practices, though the schedule is expected to include multiple dates open to fans and a joint practice with the Buffalo Bills ahead of the teams second preseason game.