It’s the beginning of the Cleveland Browns training camp this week, so there is plenty for us Cleveland sports fans to start speculating about. Let’s dive right into our latest 1st and Goal Report.
1st and Goal: Draft pick Quinshon Judkins not at camp yet because of recent domestic violence allegations
The newly drafted running back of the Cleveland Browns, Quinshon Judkins, hasn’t had the best of summers leading up to this training camp. He was initially arrested for domestic violence allegations as he was vacationing with his ex-girlfriend in Florida. The allegations came from his ex-girlfriend who reported the incidents five days after the events. Judkins was released from jail and is now sorting things out before joining the team. He still hasn’t signed his contract so things are a little bit up in the air. He was projected to be the bell cow for the Browns running attack this year, but that seems not to be the case at the moment.
Other newly drafted running back Dylan Sampson and veteran back Jerome Ford will be expected to take the load of carries as we begin this season.
2nd and Goal: The talk of the town is Shedeur Sanders
The Browns rookie quarterback, who was drafted in the late fifth round, has made a name for himself already as he prepares for training camp. He has been involved in community activities and engaged with fans, many of them young fans, and has certainly established himself as a fan favorite. Will that momentum spill over onto the playing field and make him the eventual No. 1 quarterback for the team?
There will be a quarterback competition throughout training camp, and we will know more as the weeks unfold.
But if I were a betting man, I’d put my money on Sanders being the next franchise quarterback.
Yes, he was drafted in the fifth round. Usually, a fifth-round talent doesn’t have as much success in the NFL, but in this case, Sanders had been projected as a first or second-round draft pick. His fall from grace during the draft was a shock to most.
I believe that he has a golden opportunity right now to prove the doubters wrong. I believe he’ll take advantage of this chance as he’s already showcasing and will become the face of the franchise. Stay tuned.
3rd and Goal: A healthy and stable offensive line could spell success for the Browns
If the Browns’ revamped offensive line, and that is a big “if,” can stay healthy for the upcoming season, then the chances of the team having more success will likely be seen.
Last season was basically a nightmare for the offensive line. Even before the season started, they had injuries. This season, the linemen are healthy and ready to go to battle. Jack Conklin, Wyatt Teller, Ethan Pocic, and Joel Bitonio will be counted on to do their best and stay healthy..
The third-year star in the making, Dawand Jones, is working on his technique at the left tackle position ( he’s primarily been a right tackle) for this season and should help the team while protecting the quarterback.
The team is also brought in veterans Tevin Jenkins and Lucas Cornelius to shore up their needs on the line.
Cleveland has a new offensive line coach named Mike Bloomgren, who had been a previous collegiate coach, including as head coach at Rice University.
His grit and push of the offensive linemen can already be felt by several of the veterans who have praised the new hire.
4th and Goal: Which wide receiver will step up this season?
This topic of who will be the go-to for the Browns’ wide receiver core has been an issue for a while now.
The roBwns do plan on returning to a more of a 12-personnel look, which means that they will be starting one running back, two wide receivers, and two tight ends. The tight ends will be David Njoku and new rookie Harold Fanin.
As for the wide receiver, it’s really a crapshoot at this point. Besides their veteran No. 1 guy, Jerry Jeudy had a hell of a 2024 campaign where he caught 90 passes for 1229 yards and four touchdowns.
Cedric Tillman will be coming into his third season, and while he had a good run at points last season, consistency and staying healthy remain an issue.
Then you have Jamari Thrash, David Bell, and Michael Woods all in the mix. Plus, Cleveland signed free agent Diontae Johnson, who once played for the Pittsburgh Steelers and had a 1000-yard-plus season.
Let the analytics of training camp begin this week! Stay tuned for all the latest Browns news!
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