The Cleveland Browns are about to embark on their 2026 season. There's been plenty of conversation so far swirling around the team, from quarterback competitions to a first-time NFL head coach taking the reins.
Cleveland looks like it has some position groups that could excel and be relied upon heavily this season because others will be so hit or miss.
With that in mind, let's take a look at each position group and rank them from worst to first.
The Browns have plenty of strength in the trenches but major questions at quarterback
No. 8 — Quarterback
It shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone that the Browns' quarterback room is ranked last. The supposed quarterback battle between Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson during training camp ended with Watson being named the starter for Week 1. He was mostly terrible during the preseason games, but Monken believes Watson gives the Browns their best chance to win games, especially their pair of road dates to open the year.
Watson has done nothing well over his five seasons in Cleveland. When we last saw Watson play back in 2024, he had a record of 1-6 before suffering his first Achilles injury.
The only people who believe Watson can succeed are those inside the building. As for the room as a whole? FanSided recently polled 50 experts and placed each NFL QB into a tier, and Cleveland's best options (Watson and Sanders) both landed in the "high-ceiling backup" tier.
No. 7 — Tight end
The Browns got a good season from rookie Harold Fannin Jr. a year ago, but Fannin had a late-season injury, and there were questions about his health throughout the offseason program.
Beyond that, there isn't much in this room. They have veteran Blake Whiteheart, who's been more of a core special teams player over the past two seasons, and seventh-round rookie Carsen Ryan behind Fannin on the depth chart.
That's not exactly the type of depth you'd like to have going into a new season.
No. 6 — Offensive line
This group has undergone a complete overhaul. There will be a whole new starting group. First-round rookie Spencer Fano will start at left tackle. So far during training camp, Fano has shown flashes of greatness, but he's a rookie and there will be growing pains.
The other starters will likely be Zion Johnson, Elgton Jenkins, Teven Jenkins, and Tytus Howard. The backups will include Dawand Jones, Luke Wypler, and new rookies Austin Barber and Parker Brailsford.
No. 5 — Defensive back
Besides Denzel Ward and Tyson Campbell on the boundaries, there are big questions about the Browns' cornerback depth. Their current backups include rookie Toriano Pride Jr., Noah Igbinoghene, and Mekhi Blackmon. None of them played with the team during training camp and all were previously waived or released by other NFL teams.
Cleveland is returning Grant Delpit at strong safety and has Ronnie Hickman Jr. returning as the free safety. The team also drafted Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, so while there are still some question marks, the secondary does have several veterans to lean on.
No. 4 — Running back
Cleveland needs to be able to run the ball with more consistency this season. The Browns ran it back with Quinshon Judkins, Dylan Sampson, and Raheim "Rocket" Sanders on the depth chart, with the lone addition being veteran fullback Michael Burton.
If the Browns' revamped offensive line can come together, the run game has the potential to be special this season.
No. 3 — Wide receiver
This hasn't usually been a strength of the Browns over the years, but this season could be different.
The veteran of the group is Jerry Jeudy. He's coming off a down year that saw him catch 50 passes for 602 yards and only two touchdowns. Back in 2024, he went for 1,229 yards on 90 catches, so he has the potential to be a difference-maker.
The best part of this group could be the two rookies the team drafted this year. Cleveland selected KC Concepcion in the first round and then used a second-round pick on Denzel Boston. Both had stellar college careers, and if they can replicate that production in the NFL, they could help the usually poor Browns offense reach new heights.
No. 2 — Linebackers
Cleveland has the reigning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in Carson Schwesinger to lead its linebacker corps this season. He has a proven veteran sidekick in Quincy Williams, who the Browns signed during the first wave of free agency.
This is a top-heavy group, but the Browns do have depth. Easton Mascarenas-Arnold was one of the team's training camp surprises and appears poised for a major role. Winston Reid and fifth-round rookie Justin Jefferson should also be in the mix on special teams.
No. 1 — Defensive line
Despite the Browns losing long-time starter Myles Garrett in a trade to the Los Angeles Rams this offseason, this will still be the group they rely on to try and keep games close.
The Browns acquired Jared Verse in the Garrett deal. Verse had a productive first two seasons with the Rams, piling up 125 tackles, including 22 for a loss, and 12 sacks. While the sacks aren't at the level of Garrett, the pressure Verse has generated against opposing quarterbacks could be a huge factor in his new team's success.
Along with Verse, the Browns are returning Isaiah McGuire, Mason Graham, and Maliek Collins. They will also have Mike Hall Jr., Adin Huntington, Derek Barnett, Sam Williams and Kalia Davis rotating in.
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