The OTAs are done. Now it’s time for the Cleveland Browns minicamp, the first mandatory activity this offseason for the 90-man roster.
Minicamp kicks off on Tuesday, June 4th and lasts three days. It’s the last time the team is together in any official capacity until training camp, which is slated for late July (dates will be announced shortly).
Here are five specific things to pay attention to during the minicamp in Berea.
Does everyone show up?
Odell Beckham Jr.’s absence during the voluntary OTAs dominated national headlines, but he wasn’t the only Browns player who skipped the recent sessions. Veteran running back Duke Johnson has also been staying away from the team.
Beckham has indicated he will be in attendance and participating this week. It will be our first look at the All-Pro wide receiver with his new teammates.
Will Johnson join them? One of the team’s longest-tenured players, Johnson has requested a trade after seeing his role dramatically reduced under Freddie Kitchens in the second half of last season. GM John Dorsey has made it clear he expects Johnson to show up and remain a vital contributor, but we’ll see if the versatile RB sees it that way.
It would be surprising and major news if any other players opted to skip the mandatory practices.
Reps at right guard
One of the bigger developments from the early offseason has been the emergence of Kyle Kalis as the first-team right guard. Kalis was not the projected choice to replace Kevin Zeitler, who was dealt to the Giants as part of the Beckham trade.
Kalis has taken the vast majority of starter reps in the OTA sessions open to the media. That comes at the expense of Austin Corbett, the presumptive Zeitler successor. The second-year lineman has spent more time backing up J.C. Tretter at center, another positional change for the collegiate left tackle.
Then there’s sixth-round rookie Drew Forbes. A project from Southeast Missouri State, Forbes has impressive size and didn’t look like he was in over his head in early action. It would be stunning to see him ascend to the starting lineup, but remember this is the same team that started undrafted rookie Desmond Harrison at left tackle over Corbett and others a year ago.
WR pecking order
Even when Beckham participates, the Browns are expected to remain shorthanded at wide receiver. Jarvis Landry has missed the OTA sessions with an injury deemed minor, but still enough to keep him idle as a precautionary measure. He is not expected to play this week, either.
That leaves the door open for more reps for the guys fighting for depth spots. Rashard Higgins is already established, and he’s turned heads for his easy chemistry with QB Baker Mayfield already. Beyond Higgins and the OBJ/Landry duo, there is some flexibility and some questions, too.
- Does Antonio Callaway take over the slot?
- Damion Ratley or Jaelen Strong, or does Dorian Baker trump them both?
- How much do Blake Jackson and Derrick Willies offer in make-or-break offseasons?
- Can Damon Sheehy-Guiseppi fit into the mix at WR or is he just a return specialist?
Those questions won’t get answered until later this summer, but the process of answering them begins in earnest this week.
Rookie impact
Barring some unforeseen performances, only three rookies figure to have much of an impact on the Browns on-field product in 2019. One of those is kicker Austin Seibert, provided he can win the ongoing kicking competition with holdover Greg Joseph.
The other two are the team’s top two picks, CB Greedy Williams and LB Sione Takitaki. Williams has an opportunity to earn a starting job opposite Denzel Ward, but the second-rounder from LSU will have to earn it over the likes of returning veterans Terrance Mitchell and T.J. Carrie.
Takitaki has the inside track to take over Jamie Collins’ old role at strongside backer, but that role likely doesn’t have nearly as much emphasis in new coordinator Steve Wilks’ defense. A later-round rookie, Mack Wilson, could also factor there too.
QB depth behind Baker Mayfield
Because the Browns must always have some lack of contentment at quarterback…
Don’t worry, this one is not a critical one. But the Browns have themselves a battle for the No. 2 and No. 3 spots on the depth chart behind Mayfield…if they decide to keep three QBs.
Veteran Drew Stanton is an invaluable sounding board and mentor for Mayfield. The franchise QB trusts and respects him, leaning on Stanton’s experience and guidance. He might never attempt another NFL pass but he’s worth every penny the Browns are paying him if he helps Mayfield become the best Baker he can be. But will he be the No. 2 or No. 3?
Newcomer Garrett Gilbert looked fantastic in the short-lived AAF. His pinpoint accuracy and anticipatory throwing skills give him a chance to operate the passing portion of the Browns offense in the way Mayfield does, minus the derring-do and scrambling. He’s going to get a chance to prove he can stick in the NFL this time around.
Then there’s undrafted rookie David Blough. He earned a lot of positive praise for his work in the OTA sessions, and Blough’s got a similar style of game to Mayfield. It appears he is capable of greater things than he accomplished at Purdue.
I think back to two years ago when entering minicamp the Browns toted Brock Osweiler, Cody Kessler, Kevin Hogan and DeShone Kizer. My how far they’ve come!
