Browns' Projected Winners of Key Position Battles

Throughout training camp, there have been some intriguing battles taking place between Cleveland Browns players. Some key starting jobs are up for grabs heading into the 2022 season, while it's also not clear who will end up on the right side of the roster bubble.

On Friday, the Browns played their preseason opener, notching a 24-13 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. It also gave Cleveland's coaching staff an opportunity to see the position battles that are occurring unfold in a more competitive setting.

While there's been a ton of attention this summer on quarterback Deshaun Watson—who was suspended six games but could face more missed time after the NFL appealed it—the Browns have had plenty else going on in camp. So it will be interesting to see what their depth chart looks like by the time of the regular-season opener against the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 11.

Here's a look at where several key position battles in Cleveland's training camp currently stand, along with projected winners for each.

The Browns may not have brought in any top-tier defensive tackles to anchor the middle of their D-line this offseason, but they have several solid players competing for playing time. In fact, there are four of them who could end up frequently rotating in and out once the regular season arrives.

But for now, this group is battling for starting jobs. Jordan Elliott and free-agent acquisition Taven Bryan appear to be the favorites, but Tommy Togiai and rookie Perrion Winfrey should also factor into the mix as they're having strong camps as well.

Elliott may have recorded only one quarterback hit in the preseason opener, but the 24-year-old looks much improved from his first two NFL seasons. He should pair well with Bryan, who started 17 games over his four-year tenure with the Jaguars.

And that's the way Cleveland's DT situation should shake out. Togiai and Winfrey are sure to get plenty of playing time in this rotation, but Elliott and Bryan have proven they should be the starters in between Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney on the line, and that seems unlikely to change over the next few weeks.

Projection: Jordan Elliott and Taven Bryan start at defensive tackle

There are plenty of wide receivers on the Browns' roster, but it isn't yet clear how they're going to stack up on the depth chart. Amari Cooper will be at No. 1, while several other playmakers are looking to prove they should also be starters on this offense.

Donovan Peoples-Jones and Anthony Schwartz are among the more proven players in the starting mix, while rookie David Bell could also make a quick impact in his first NFL season. Bell (foot) and Schwartz (knee) dealt with injuries earlier in camp, but they've been back at practices of late, a welcome return for Cleveland's offense.

The Browns don't have a ton of depth at wide receiver, and that could end up being a problem for their offense down the line, especially while Jacoby Brissett is starting at quarterback. And it also makes it quite apparent who the starting WRs are likely to be.

Despite the earlier injury, Bell seems to be Cleveland's best option in the slot, while Peoples-Jones is also worthy of a starting spot. They'll both need to step up to take some of the pressure off Cooper, who is the clear top player in this unit.

Projection: Donovan Peoples-Jones and David Bell earn starting WR spots

There weren't supposed to be competitions for the kick returner and punt returner roles for the Browns this summer. But that changed when Jakeem Grant Sr., who signed with the team in free agency, went down with a torn Achilles tendon that will keep him out all season.

Now, Cleveland must determine who will return both kickoff and punts. And it's not a guarantee that one player will fill both roles, as the Browns could opt to split up those duties now that Grant is no longer available to be their return specialist.

Ja'Marcus Bradley returned both kicks and punts during Cleveland's preseason opener, but that's not a guarantee he'll do so in the regular season. Schwartz should be in the mix now that he's healthy, while Peoples-Jones and Demetric Felton also have return experience.

While any of those players could have success on returns, the Browns will need to choose their primary option, even if they decide to go with a rotation including several players for the roles. Don't be surprised if the job mostly goes to Schwartz, who flashed his potential as a returner during his 2021 rookie campaign.

Projection: Anthony Schwartz serves as primary returner