WHITE SULPHUR SPGS- The Greenbrier Hotel will host another NFL training camp beginning next Thursday, July 25 when the Cleveland Browns arrive for the second consecutive year.
Last season, the Browns held their inaugural training camp at America’s Resort and things went so well, they are coming back. They credited their success last year, when they won 11 games and made the playoffs for the first time since 2020–their first in 18 years– to the camaraderie they developed in the Mountain state.
Cleveland will have seven practices over a nine-day span and head back to Berea, Ohio on August 2 to finish out their training camp and preseason.
The Browns organization has been criticized over the last several years, but in 2024, much like in 2023, their roster is one of the most impressive in the league, at least on paper at first glance.
Deshaun Watson returns at quarterback and if he can find a way to get back to his old ways before his suspension a couple years ago, he can be one of the league’s best. However, he has not been the same player since that time, but he has still been formidable. Also, last season he missed the team’s final 10 games due to shoulder surgery. Watson is on a 230-million-dollar contract, so the Browns need him to regain his form and find his old self immediately. If Watson is unable to do that, former Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston may get an opportunity to get on the field along with Tyler Huntley and Dorian Thompson-Robinson.
Nick Chubb, one of the NFL’s best running backs, was injured early last season in a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers and was shelfed for the year. Speculation on when Chubb will return is still up in the air and he may be placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list and miss training camp. Still, the Browns believe he will come back at full strength this season, but the question is when. One good thing is Cleveland is deep at the running back position with Jerome Ford, D’Onta Foreman, and Nyheim Hines all good enough to vie for snaps this training camp and season.
Cleveland may have their best group of receivers in several years and that comes with the addition of Jerry Jeudy who they acquired in a trade with the Broncos in the offseason. Last year in Dever, Jeudy had 54 catches for 758 yards and two TD’s. He is talented enough to be a no. 1 option pass catcher, but with Amari Cooper (72 rec, 1,250 yds, 12 TD) and Elijah Moore (59 rec, 640 yds, 2 TD) sharing the field with him, he will not have to do that. The Browns just need Jeudy to be that extra threat that will open up more in the passing game and to lend a hand in helping Watson return to his Pro-Bowl form.
The most dangerous player the Browns have is arguably David Njoku. The athletic tight end had over 80 receptions a year ago for 882 yards and six touchdowns. Over his last four regular season games last year, Njoku averaged seven receptions per game, 93 yards and a score. He is a matchup nightmare for opposing linebackers and safeties and corners never like to try to hit him. He will be a huge part of the overall plan this season.
The offensive line will continue to produce as well with the likes of Wyatt Teller and Ethan Pocic leading the way. Jedrick Willis, Jr., Joel Bitonio, and Jack Conklin are the other projected starters along the front.
As good as the Browns look on offense, it is their defense that stands out above the rest.
Last year, Cleveland had the NFL’s best defense and allowed the fewest yards in the league. They had the 2023 defensive player of the year in Myles Garrett (14 sacks) and their defensive backfield–Denzel Ward (11 passes defended), Grant Delpit (63 tackles), Juan Thornhill (41 tackles), Martin Emerson, Jr. (14 passes defended, 4 int), and Greg Newsome II (14 passes defended, 2 int) — is most likely the league’s best at that position.
Za’Darius Smith compliments Garrett along the front while Dalvin Tomlinson and Shelby Harris clog up the middle which allows Smith, Garrett, and the linebackers more freedom to make plays.
Speaking of linebackers, projected starters Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoa (72 tackles in 2023), Jordan Hicks (61 tackles), and Devin Bush are solid players and will benefit even more from coordinator Jim Schwart’s attacking scheme in 2024.
Dustin Hopkins will handle the placekicking duties and Corey Bojorquez will slot in the punter spot.
There have been several national pundits peg this Browns team as a Super Bowl contender, with a couple having them as the AFC favorite to make the big game. However, it all depends on two things: The return of Deshaun Watson’s greatness, and the overall health of the team.
