Browns’ unofficial Week 1 depth chart settles two debates (with one major surprise)

STORY UPDATE: Wide receiver KC Concepcion was not originally listed as a punt returner on the Cleveland Browns' first unofficial depth chart of the regular season. The team has since updated the depth chart with Concepcion as the top punt returner and Isaiah Bond as his backup.

The Cleveland Browns released their first unofficial depth chart for Week 1 of the 2026 season on Tuesday, and the team’s lingering question at right guard appears to be answered. 

The team’s backup quarterback situation has never really been in question, but the Browns may have subtly put some mind-numbing online speculation to bed as well.

Deshaun Watson was listed as Cleveland’s starting quarterback on the depth chart with Shedeur Sanders as the top backup. Rookie Taylen Green was listed as third-string a day after head coach Todd Monken told reporters that the team was considering making Green active on game days as a third quarterback to potentially utilize his dual-threat talents in special situations.

Green’s playmaking abilities were on full display during his one half of preseason action, but he’s a sixth-round draft pick who operated well behind Sanders and Dillon Gabriel throughout training camp. He remains a work in progress as an NFL passer.

The Browns need Sanders in the QB2 role in case Watson is forced to miss time due to an injury. His status as the top backup and Green’s potential situational role are not mutually exclusive.

The real news here was the missing piece along the offensive line and a curious omission on special teams.

Austin Barber’s NFL debut could have to wait — for now

Austin Barber played well enough during Cleveland’s final two preseason games to create a conversation at right guard. 

Nothing’s official yet, but the third-round rookie was listed as the backup right tackle on the first unofficial depth chart, keeping Teven Jenkins in the driver’s seat to start Sunday’s season opener at Jacksonville.

That means, despite all the moving pieces and competition throughout camp, the Browns’ starting offensive line remains aligned with the initial projections back in June.

Rookie Spencer Fano is set to start at left tackle with Zion Johnson at left guard, Elgton Jenkins at center, Teven Jenkins at right guard, and Tytus Howard at right tackle. That group should be much-improved across the board, but Teven Jenkins, who was a backup for the Browns in 2025 until late in the season, continues to feel like the weakest link, at least from the head coach’s messaging through the media.

Part of that is due to Jenkins being in and out of practice due to injuries this summer. But Barber deserves credit for making things interesting following a pair of dominant preseason starts at right guard. The former Florida Gators left tackle still projects as Cleveland’s long-term bookend to Fano on the right side long-term, but Barber looked like a natural playing on the inside and Cleveland could eye getting him more reps at guard as the season goes on.

At the end of the day, there was only one real surprise with Cleveland’s Week 1 depth chart but it appears to be a non-story.

Browns gamesmanship? KC Concepcion not initially listed as a punt returner

The Browns initially listed second-year wide receiver Isaiah Bond as their lone punt returner for Week 1, but the depth chart was later updated with KC Concepcion poised for that job.

Bond only returned two punts during his rookie season with a long of 9 yards. The Browns notably never gave him an opportunity to return one in any of this year's preseason games.

Concepcion got one opportunity to return a punt against the Chicago Bears — and he was a shoestring tackle away from taking it to the house. His abilities as a potential game-changer at the position seemingly led to the team's decision to waive Gage Larvadain on roster cutdown day.

This was probably just an accidental ommission, as Monken has been vocal about getting his dynamic receiver opportunities to make plays. Concepcion has also made his desire to return punts well known during his sessions with reporters.

The team must also weigh keeping its new offensive weapon as healthy as possible, though, but appears Concepcion will be handling punts to start the season.

Cleveland Browns unofficial depth chart for Week 1 

Source: clevelandbrowns.com

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