We’re less than a week away from the start of training camp for the 2023 Cleveland Browns.

The anticipation has been building since the end of last season which didn’t go as planned with the performance of Deshaun Watson after his suspension among other factors in the team’s 7-10 record.

With new additions such as defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, wide receiver Elijah Moore, and pass rusher Za’Darius Smith along with the hope that Watson returns to his elite level abilities, the Browns are expected to contend in a stacked AFC this coming season.

The roster on paper has the potential to be the best Browns roster since 1999 and there isn’t many camp battles to watch but the bottom of the roster is hard to project but I’ll do my best before the team hits the practice field next Saturday at The Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia

Quarterback (3) – Deshaun Watson, Joshua Dobbs, Dorian Thompson-Robinson

Thoughts: Cleveland’s success rides on Watson getting back to what he was during his tenure with the Houston Texans. Dobbs showed he was a capable backup/spot starter during his appearances with the Titans last season. DTR was worth the flyer in the fifth round in April’s NFL Draft.

Running Back (3) – Nick Chubb, Jerome Ford, Demetric Felton

Thoughts: The best running back in football makes this room strong but behind him is still a mystery. Ford is expected to step into the role formerly occupied by Kareem Hunt and if he’s anything like he was during his time at the University of Cincinnati, he will fill that role. I have Felton penciled in as the third running back currently but a free agent addition or undrafted free agent Hassan Hall can’t be ruled out here.

Wide Receiver (6) – Amari Cooper, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Elijah Moore, Cedric Tillman, Marquise Goodwin, David Bell

Thoughts: The wide receiver is dramatically better than it was a year ago at this time as Andrew Berry focused on adding explosive playmaking to the room during the offseason. We already know what Cooper and Peoples-Jones bring to the table but the addition of Elijah Moore will be the one to watch this coming season. He was dynamic at Ole Miss but was plagued by bad quarterback production during his first two seasons in New York. Tillman should be able to be eased into action as the season progresses. Goodwin has been a good situational receiver throughout his career. David Bell suffered some criticism after a lackluster rookie season but don’t rule him out making some sort of impact in 2023.

Tight End (3) – David Njoku, Jordan Akins, Harrison Bryant

Thoughts: Not much to say about this room as it’s been essentially locked in place throughout the offseason. Njoku should be a favorite target for Deshaun Watson as he looked towards the tight end room in Houston. Akins had over 1,000 yards and three touchdowns when he was teammates with Watson from 2018-20. Bryant reworked his final year under contract to essentially secure his roster spot with the Browns

Offensive Line (10) – Jedrick Wills, Joel Bitonio, Ethan Pocic, Wyatt Teller, Jack Conklin, James Hudson, Dawand Jones, Luke Wypler, Drew Forbes, Michael Dunn

Thoughts: All five starters return for the 2023 season but behind them will be an interesting to see who breaks out during training camp and the preseason. Cleveland drafted former Buckeyes in Jones and Wypler who could be eventual replacements for Conklin and Pocic down the line. With Chris Hubbard and Hjatle Froholdt leaving during the offseason, the swing linemen spots are up for grabs with Forbes, Dunn, or free agent addition Colby Gossett among the possibilities to take those spots.

EDGE (5) – Myles Garrett, Za’Darius Smith, Ogbo Okoronkwo, Isaiah McGuire, Alex Wright

Thoughts: Myself and my podcast co-host Anthony Joki have always said you can never have enough pass rushers and the Browns have certainly agreed with the moves they made this offseason. Cleveland invested in the room in each facet of the offseason with Okoronkwo (free agency), Smith (trade with Minnesota), and McGuire (third-round pick). The battle in this room could be between 2021 draft picks Alex Wright and Isaiah Thomas for the final spot but Wright’s ability to kick inside the way he did late last season gives him the edge.

Defensive Tackle (5) – Dalvin Tomlinson, Siaka Ika, Maurice Hurst, Jordan Elliott, Perrion Winfrey

Thoughts: Hard to predict this room because it still feels like the weakest position room on the roster despite the additions they made in the offseason. Still wouldn’t rule out another free agent addition during training camp with Matt Ioanndis and Ndamukong Suh still out there on the market.

Linebacker (5) – Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Anthony Walker, Matthew Adams, Mohamoud Diabate, Jordan Kuzansyk (Sione Takitaki starts season on PUP/IR)

Thoughts: Lots of fans/media members are worried about this position group but in my opinion, the group was plagued by poor production up front last year and they had to attempt to clean up that mess. Health will be the biggest key in that room with Walker and Takitaki returning from injuries. Maybe Jacob Phillips sneaks into the room but he’s on his last shot to make the roster.

Cornerback (6) – Denzel Ward, Greg Newsome, Martin Emerson, Cameron Mitchell, Mike Ford, AJ Green

Thoughts: Cornerback room is still one of the strongest groups on the roster and don’t expect that to change in 2023. Question will be if they keep five or six with Mitchell, Green, and Ford likely battling for the final spots.

Safety (4) – Grant Delpit, Juan Thornhill, Rodney McLeod, Ronnie Hickman

Thoughts: Safety room got stronger during the offseason with the additions of Thornhill and McLeod, providing upgrades in talent as well as leadership and experience. It’s a contract year for Delpit who will be interesting to see if the Browns find a way to keep him should the fourth-year safety takes the next step.

Specialists (3) – Cade York, Corey Bojorquez, Charley Hughlett

Thoughts: The room that didn’t have any turnover but Cleveland did bring back Joseph Charlton back into the fold after he competed with Bojorquez for the punter job last year in camp. Also surprised they didn’t bring competition in for York after a shaky rookie season.