Position battles to watch in Browns training camp

The Cleveland Browns proved to have one of the most complete teams in the league last season by making the playoffs with five different starting quarterbacks. 

That's why their focus should be on their depth as they have dealt with numerous injuries as of late.

Here are three key position battles to watch when training camp opens.

Quarterback

Projected starter: Deshaun Watson

Players to watch: Jameis Winston, Tyler Huntley and Dorian Thompson-Robinson

Since joining the Browns in 2022, Watson has played in just 12 games due to suspension and injuries. He hasn't impressed when on the field, either, throwing just 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions during the span.

If Watson continues to struggle or can't stay on the field in 2024, the battle between Winston, Huntley and Thompson-Robinson could prove to be very important.

Winston has seen a ton of playing time throughout his nine-year NFL career, which began as the No. 1 overall pick in 2015. The 30-year-old has thrown for 22,104 yards, 141 touchdowns and 99 interceptions.

Huntley, on the other hand, hasn't seen the field nearly as much, serving as Lamar Jackson's backup for the past four years. However, he did earn a Pro Bowl nod in 2022 after leading the Ravens to the playoffs in relief for the injured Jackson.

Thompson-Robinson is also hoping to improve his game in Year 2.

Running back

Projected starter: Nick Chubb

Players to watch: Jerome Ford, D'Onta Foreman and Nyheim Hines

Like Watson, Chubb is also coming off a season-ending injury. In Week 2 of last season, Chubb suffered a serious injury to the same knee he hurt in 2015. It was later diagnosed as a torn MCL and a damaged ACL.

If healthy, Chubb will be the undoubted starter after rushing for 6,511 yards and 48 touchdowns in the past six years, but his status for the 2024 season remains up in the air.

That makes the battle between Ford, Foreman and Hines very important.

Ford is likely the favorite after rushing for 813 yards and four touchdowns in Chubb's absence last season, but Cleveland made it a point to add two more capable veterans in Foreman and Hines. Both players will have a chance to make their case in the coming months.

Wide receiver

Projected starters: Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy and Elijah Moore

Players to watch: Cedric Tillman, David Bell and Jamari Thrash

Cooper and Jeudy are locked in as starters, but the Browns are still waiting for their trade for Moore to pay off.

Cleveland traded a second-round pick to the Jets for Moore last offseason, and he responded with an underwhelming 640-yard and two-touchdown campaign.

If he doesn't make a jump in Year 4, Tillman, Bell or Thrash will have a chance to see the field more. However, all still have a lot to prove, too, as Tillman and Bell combined for just 35 catches for 391 yards and three touchdowns last season and Thrash is a rookie.