Cleveland

Browns

According to ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi, Watson “didn’t say whether he expects to be fully cleared for the start of training camp but said there’s been no setbacks in his shoulder rehab.” The Browns signal-caller has been working diligently to rehab last year’s season-ending injury and was seen throwing during the team’s mandatory minicamp. Nearly every report from Browns coaches and front office members has suggested Watson is nearing a return, so it’s a bit odd that he won’t comment on whether or not he’d be cleared when veterans report for camp on July 23. After his first two years in Cleveland fell well below expectations, Watson is in a potential make-or-break year. If he’s unable to open camp with the team, Jameis Winston would likely take the majority of first-team reps.

The deal comes after Hopkins’ career-best 91.7 percent field goal conversion rate in 2023. He was extremely accurate from afar, converting eight-of-eight field goal attempts from 50-plus yards. Among 33 NFL kickers to attempt at least 10 total field goals, Hopkins is one of just three such players to produce a 100.0 percent conversion rate at that distance.

The $5.3 million annual value places Hopkins amongst the top-five highest paid kickers in the league and ties him to the Browns through the 2027 season. The 10-year veteran made 33-of-36 field goal attempts in 2023, marking the third consecutive season with a conversion rate higher than 90 percent. Last season was also the first time in four years that Hopkins attempted more than 20 field goals after battling various injuries in his last year with the Commanders and two years with the Chargers. The extension also indicates a commitment from the Browns after the franchise brought in Lucas Havrisik earlier in the offseason.

The Browns are banking on Jeudy reaching the potential teams saw in him back in 2020 when the Broncos drafted him with the No. 15 pick. After trading for him earlier this offseason, the Browns signed Jeudy to a three-year, $58 million extension, and The Athletic’s Zac Jackson speculated earlier this month that he could emerge as the Browns’ primary slot receiver. Jeudy has never amassed more than 972 receiving yards in a season but has averaged 6.0 YAC/REC over the last two seasons while averaging a solid 14.3 YPR. He’s currently going as a fringe WR5/WR6 in fantasy drafts and has the chance to turn into a late-round value in Ken Dorsey’s offensive scheme.

Phelps was recently arrested for drunk driving after crashing his car into a restaurant and causing nearly $300,000 worth of damage. The 2023 UDFA has yet to appear in a game as a pro and could struggle to latch on with a new team as he goes through his upcoming legal proceedings.

Phelps went undrafted in 2023 and has yet to appear in an NFL game. The second-year defensive end was reportedly taken into custody after refusing to cooperate with officers per a Monroe County Sheriff’s Office police report and did an estimated $300,000 worth of damage.

The Browns went out and acquired Jeudy from the Broncos earlier this offseason and signed him to a three-year extension soon after. Jeudy has lined up in the slot on 52.5 percent of his snaps during his career and played from the slot on 59.1 percent of his snaps last season. It also sounds like Tillman, a second-year receiver, could be in line for significant snaps this season, but the speedster was targeted on just 11.7 percent of his 358 routes last season. Cooper, Jeudy, and Tillman serving as the Browns’ primary receivers in 11 personnel could leave Elijah Moore on the outside looking in with regards to targets and snaps after he went for 59-640-2 in his first year with the Browns.

According to an article by Mary Kay Cabot, Garrett “pulled up limping in an early defensive drill and grabbed the back of his left hamstring.” Garrett did the rest of his work from the sideline after suffering the injury, but head coach Kevin Stefanski said at the end of the day that Garrett would “be fine.” Garrett totaled 42 tackles and 14 sacks for the Browns last season and walked away with Defensive Player of the Year honors. He’ll have a month to recoup from his injury before training camp opens in July.

Christian began 2023 with the Dolphins but was cut at the end of training camp. He had a cup of coffee in Houston and then found a more permanent home in Cleveland. Including the Wild Card Round, Christian started 10 games for the Browns, all at left tackle. He gave up five sacks and 39 pressures. He is following offensive line coach Bill Callahan from Cleveland to Tennessee. Christian will be competing for a backup job in training camp.

Set to earn $23 million in the final year of his contract, Cooper appears to be holding out for a long-term deal with the Browns. He’s been superb during his two years with the team. Cooper had 72 receptions for 1,250 yards and five touchdowns last season and has gone for 1,100-plus yards in each of his first two seasons with the Browns. Cooper, soon to be 30, will likely work things out with the team before training camp.