Senior NFL Reporter is on the road, covering training camps. Today’s stop: the Cleveland Browns.

Quarterback Update

Deshaun Watson has made a successful recovery from his 2023 shoulder surgery, participating in all practice drills except for scheduled rest days. According to head coach Kevin Stefanski, Watson’s “multitude of throws” and arm strength are strong, while his accuracy “looks exactly how it did previously.” This bodes well for the Browns’ offensive rebuild, as they implement a system that better suits his skill set of RPOs and drop-back passing.

Rookie on the Rise

Although Cleveland didn’t pick until the second round and didn’t select a skill player until Round 4, I expect second-round defensive tackle Mike Hall to work his way into DC Jim Schwartz’s rotation via rushing opportunities on third downs. Trenchmen may take time to develop in the NFL, but the Browns have depth at defensive line, and Hall could make an impact.

Key Player to Monitor

The health of the Browns’ defensive front is crucial. During my visit, multiple players went down in team drills, including edge rusher Za’Darius Smith, who was carted off with a grimace and clutching his left knee. Although Smith should still be available for the season, the question remains: how many nicks can the Browns’ DL withstand before losing their explosiveness? A banged-up line may jeopardize Cleveland’s chance to win its division for the first time in 35 years.

Fantasy Insight

Amari Cooper isn’t going to suddenly possess Tyreek Hill’s speed or Justin Jefferson’s play strength. However, the 10-year veteran hauled in a career-high 1,250 yards with four quarterbacks last year and is healthier than he ever was in Dallas, he tells me. Believing he’s leveraging skill more than talent to dominate, Cooper doesn’t expect a dropoff entering his 30s. After watching him amass seven 1,000-yard seasons, why should we?

Interesting Sight

The Browns unveiled their new weight room and training facility Monday, and the walkthrough space impressed me. Two 25-yard-wide screens allow Cleveland to project game film or Madden-like opponent alignments to create opportunities for more kinesthetic learning. A little less sitting time looms.

Wildcard Factor

It’s tough to predict what the Browns offense will showcase with head coach Kevin Stefanski and offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey calling plays. But what I don’t think they’ll show us is repetitive, vanilla plays. Players, coaches, and execs alike described a high-volume playbook ahead of diverse game plans to capitalize on scheme and matchups. I expect a higher-tempo system than last year.