Browns' 2026 Roster Projection: Offense Through Preseason Week 1

This is a huge week for the Cleveland Browns.

So much has been made of the quarterback competition between Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson, but that’s the last competition to be settled on offense.

After one preseason game, here’s the Browns’ projected offense for Week 1.

Quarterbacks (3)

Names: Deshaun Watson, Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders.

The Outlook: Gabriel’s dreadful performance in the Browns’ preseason opener puts him squarely on the roster bubble, especially if the Browns decide to keep an extra running back.

Still, both Gabriel and Sanders benefit from having late-round salaries and low guaranteed money. Plus, with the oft-injured Watson serving as the starter, the Browns will need to keep both simply to have healthy bodies who have worked in Todd Monken’s offense.

Running Backs (3)

Names: Dylan Sampson, Quinshon Judkins, Raheim Sanders.

The Outlook: Judkins is the bell-cow back, with Sampson serving as the pass-catcher and third-down back. Judkins is about as solid a three-down back as there is in the league.

Sanders is in a battle with Ahmani Marshall, and the Browns could opt to keep both.

Fullbacks (1)

Names: Michael Burton.

The Outlook: It’s nice to see the fullback position become en vogue again, and Burton undoubtedly feels the same. The 34-year-old could be a casualty if the Browns opt to keep a fourth tight end, like Jack Stoll, but for now he’s on the team.

Wide Receivers (7)

Names: Denzel Boston, Gage Larvadain, Isaiah Bond, Jerry Jeudy, KC Concepcion, Malachi Corley, Tylan Wallace.

The Outlook: Larvadain and Corley are likely locks as return specialists, and Larvadain in particular is effective both as a punt returner and as a No. 5 receiver in a pinch.

Concepcion, Boston and Jeudy are, of course, the starters. Wallace and Bond are battling for the No. 4 spot, with Wallace currently leading the competition.

Cedric Tillman is the odd man out for now. Tillman could still end up on the roster, though, if the Browns cut Corley and put Wallace in the kick-returner role, which he played at points last year in Baltimore.

Tight Ends (3)

Names: Blake Whiteheart, Harold Fannin Jr., Joe Royer.

The Outlook: Fannin is, of course, the starter and will handle the bulk of the snaps at the position. Royer was a fifth-round pick, which means he is likely to stay on the team. Whiteheart was listed as the TE2 when the Browns released their depth chart, though he is currently in a battle with Stoll and others.

Offensive Linemen (8)

Names: Austin Barber, Dawand Jones, Elgton Jenkins, Parker Brailsford, Spencer Fano, Teven Jenkins, Tytus Howard, Zion Johnson.

The Outlook: Monken pointed out that Jones was in a battle for a roster spot after Fano passed him on the depth chart, but it would be unwise to release the veteran due to his $1.3 million dead cap hit.

Brailsford and Barber were each late-round draft picks, which is why they’re likely to remain on the roster as backups. They’ll see time in relief of injuries and to get reps, but otherwise the starting line is likely to be Fano, Johnson, the Jenkinses and Howard.