Gauging the 3 biggest Cleveland Browns training camp battles in 2021

1. The battle in the trenches

The defensive tackle positions could be the other battle going on for those final 53-man roster spots. Andrew Billings, the tackle that sat out last season because of Covid is back and making an impression with the coaches because of his brute strength. How many tackles do the Browns keep? Five or six?

With the Browns edge rushers set in stone in Myles Garrett, Jadeveon Clowney, and Takkarist Mckinley, where does that leave a player like second-year lineman Jordan Elliott, out of Missouri? He didn’t exactly light it up a year ago and with additional veterans being brought in this season Elliott might be in trouble making that final roster.

The Ohio State rookie Tommy Togiai is having a good camp so far and a lineman like Curtis Weaver, who has had issues with past injuries is possibly back in the mix too. The newly claimed free agent and veteran Malik Jackson is battling it out as well but should be safe. With Billings playing nose guard would new rookie Marvin Wilson, from Florida State, be a good backup at that spot?

Where does that leave a player like defensive end Porter Gustin, who had a decent season a year ago combining for 30 tackles?

The Browns have brought in NFL journeyman Sheldon Day, who most recently played with the Indianapolis Colts, but he may be a practice squad nominee. Then there’s veteran Damion Square, who played most of his nine-year career with the Los Angeles Chargers. Does he have a chance at making the final cut?

The best part of all this for the Browns is that they legitimately have more than enough highly qualified candidates for all their positions across the board and that hasn’t always been the case with past Browns teams.

Things are certainly looking up for the Browns as they aim for that elusive Super Bowl.