5 Cleveland Browns Players Who Need a Big Preseason and Why

Here are five Browns players who need strong preseason showings for their own reasons.

Dec 7, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) walks off the field after being injured against the Tennessee Titans fourth quarter at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Cleveland Browns have finished their installations and are beginning to seriously prepare for their preseason games.

On Saturday, the Browns will travel to Chicago to face the Bears. They’ll return to Cleveland for a joint practice with the Buffalo Bills before hosting them at Huntington Bank Field in preseason Week 2. After that, the Browns round out their preseason with a dress rehearsal against the AFC Championship winning New England Patriots.

Browns coach Todd Monken has alluded to starters participating in the preseason, even though there isn’t any clarity yet on which players will play and when.

Regardless of that, let’s take a look at a handful of Browns players who need to have a big preseason.

Both quarterbacks need to shine

Jul 29, 2026; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) and quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) drop back to pass during training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

As has been the case all training camp, Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders will have all the attention during the preseason. Unless Monken changes his mind, each quarterback will have an opportunity to start a preseason game. 

Recently, the Browns have given more starting reps to Watson, illustrating that he could potentially be the leader of this competition. If he starts against the Bears, he needs to be sharp. Throughout the team’s 11 training camp sessions, the quarterbacks have combined for 17 interceptions. So a strong showing from either quarterback would be a welcomed sight for the Browns.

WR Cedric Tillman fighting for roster spot

The Browns have already handled Jamari Thrash, who will miss the entire season with an injury. That leaves Tillman as the lone Berry draft pick fighting for a roster spot in the wide receiver room.

Jerry Jeudy, KC Concepcion, Denzel Boston and Isaiah Bond should be treated as locks to make this roster. If the Browns keep six wideouts, that leaves just two spots for free agent Tylan Wallace, who will be a core special teamer and Tillman, who is entering his fourth pro season.

Tillman will be competing against Malachi Corley and former preseason standouts Gage Larvadain, Luke Floriea for the final receiver spot, if the Browns decide to keep six.

Jack Stoll competing for TE2

Harold Fannin Jr. is the unquestioned starter at tight end after leading the Browns in receiving yards last year. But the room behind him? It’s unclear.

The Browns signed Stoll in free agency before adding tight ends Joe Royer and Carsen Ryan on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft. Royer has missed all of training camp with a personal matter. 

That sets up Stoll to have plenty of opportunities in the preseason, especially if Fannin doesn’t play, as the 22-year-old has been banged up since the end of last season.

OT Dawand Jones

On Monday, Monken promoted No. 9 overall pick Spencer Fano to the starting offensive line at training camp. The rookie had been alternating for Dawand Jones, who should have an opportunity to prove to the Browns that he’s healthy and in shape ahead of Week 1.

Jones has an opportunity to be Cleveland’s backup swing tackle, as long as Fano and veteran right tackle Tytus Howard are both ready to go Week 1. A strong preseason from Jones would give Monken and offensive line coach George Warhop the confidence to keep him ready while continuing to develop rookie Austin Barber and transitioning KT Leveston to guard depth.