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Predicting the Cleveland Browns Week One starters

By Dan Justik

BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 11: Cleveland Browns helmets rest on the bench prior to a game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on October 11, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 11: Cleveland Browns helmets rest on the bench prior to a game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on October 11, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 26: Carlos Hyde #28 of the San Francisco 49ers is tackled by K.J. Wright #50 of the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 26: Carlos Hyde #28 of the San Francisco 49ers is tackled by K.J. Wright #50 of the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Running Back – Carlos Hyde

There is some belief that second-round pick Nick Chubb will get the call to be the starting running back, but the Browns will likely roll with Carlos Hyde as the starter to begin the season. Both have very similar running styles, and likely will get a similar amount of carries. But the coaching staff may want to see how Chubb does against NFL defenses before giving him a starting workload.

Hyde rushed for 938 yards and eight touchdowns on 240 carries with the 49ers last season. He also caught 59 passes for 350 yards. He has shown an ability to catch the ball out of the backfield, but he probably will not get a lot of targets.

Although he will not be starting, Duke Johnson will get a lot of time in the backfield. He will be the running back in passing situations, but will also come in when the Browns need a change of pace from Hyde and Chubb.

Starting fullback – Danny Vitale

Wide Receiver – Josh Gordon, Jarvis Landry, Corey Coleman

Josh Gordon and Jarvis Landry are guaranteed to be the starting wide receivers. For the first time in a long time, Gordon will not be held back from the team’s off-season program, which could allow him to have the best season of his career. After returning from suspension last season, Gordon played in five games and caught 18 passes for 335 yards and one touchdown.

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Landry spent a lot of time playing in the slot with the Miami Dolphins. He will see a lot of time in the slot with the Browns when Cleveland plays in three wide receiver sets, but may see the most time as an outside receiver in his career. In 2017, Landry led the league with 112 receptions, and he compiled 987 yards and eight touchdowns.

The biggest question mark of the receivers is Corey Coleman. In his first two years of his career, he has struggled on the field, while he has also struggled to stay on the field. Trade rumors have swirled around him this off-season, but alas, he is still a Cleveland Brown.

He will be pushed by Antonio Callaway during training camp. The nod goes towards Coleman, as he has received some credit from coaches for is effort this off-season. But if Callaway does not show any rust from not playing last season, he could become the team’s third wide receiver.

Tight End – David Njoku

Not much of a surprise, David Njoku seems to be the Browns’ long term tight end. After being drafted in the first round last season, Njoku showed the potential he has in a limited amount of snaps last season.

In 2017, he caught 32 passes for 386 receiving yards and four touchdowns. Njoku will receive more snaps than he did last season, and will have a much bigger role in 2018. He is a major red-zone threat, but shows great potential as a receiver down the seams. Njoku could prove to be one of the league’s best tight ends next season.

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