3 Big storylines heading into Cleveland Browns first preseason game

Browns Storyline No. 2: Which young WR will carve out roles for themselves?

One of the biggest perceived weaknesses the Browns have as a team is a lack of viable wide receivers on the roster. Donovan Peoples-Jones is an ascending weapon on the outside with enormous potential, but as of today, Amari Cooper is the only bona fide proven receiver in Berea. Which young wide receivers will separate themselves from the pack during the first preseason game?

Anthony Schwartz and rookie David Bell returned to practice this week, and both figures to receive a decent amount of work in Jacksonville on Friday. Bell is in line to get a ton of reps in the slot and Schwartz should be moved around quite a bit. The young duo, despite missing time in training camp, are the leaders in the clubhouse to get the most playing time outside of Cooper and Peoples-Jones.

It’s the next pack of players that should prove to be the most interesting theater in Jacksonville. Mike Woods II, Demetric Felton, Mike Harley Jr., Ja’Marcus Bradley, Javon Wims, Derrick Dillon, and Travell Harris are all competing for one or two spots. Reps will be hard to come by and taking full advantage of your opportunities will be of the utmost importance.

You could split the group into two factions: slot, and outside receivers. With Felton, Harley Jr., and Harris falling into the slot group and Woods, Bradley, Wims, and Dillon competing for opportunities on the outside.

There’s some overlap in skill sets for a few players and in a game of roster musical chairs the more you can do may become the tiebreaker. Felton and Woods have a leg up heading into the first preseason game, but will they be able to maintain their slight lead after Friday night?