The Browns' offseason program is over, summer break is here and we're knocking out five of your queries before it's time for Father's Day weekend.
Besides Denzel Ward now taking first-team reps, what other newly signed free agents are also taking first-team reps? -- Ian F., Phoenix
That's a good, timely question, and it allows us to lay out what we saw through a month's worth of OTAs and minicamp.
Among the team's nine drafted rookies, Ward, the fourth overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft, has been the most active with the first team. He earned that promotion during the latter portion of OTAs and has looked every bit of what the Browns expected from him when they used their second of two first-round picks on him.
"He is very talented. Good speed, good quickness," defensive backs coach DeWayne Walker said. "The thing that I talk to him a lot about is just learning the NFL game. I know that athletically he is talented, but again, just continuing to help him with the IQ part of it, learning our scheme and just trying to put everything together to help him reach his ceiling."
Running back Nick Chubb has worked in and out with the first team in a rotation with veteran Carlos Hyde. Second-round offensive lineman Austin Corbett has mostly played with the second team as he lines up at a variety of spots.
All three of the Browns' trade acquisitions -- QB Tyrod Taylor, WR Jarvis Landry and DB Damarious Randall -- have been with their respective first teams. As for the free agents, DB T.J. Carrie has more often than not been with the first-team defense as he competes against fellow signees E.J. Gaines and Terrance Mitchell. Chris Hubbard has manned right tackle from Day 1 of OTAs. Hyde has been the first-team running back and been lauded for his leadership. Tight end Darren Fells, who is well regarded for his blocking, has been a first-team contributor depending on the formation. Same goes for DL Chris Smith.
What happened to running back Matt Dayes from NC State? He was a great running back and receiver at NC State for four years and was not used much at all last year in light of how bad things went for the Browns. While college play is not the same as the pros, it's tough to tell what you have if you don't play someone, especially in the bad times. I was quite surprised that the coaches never let him play to see what he could do. -- Ralph D., Raleigh
Dayes, the second-to-last selection in the 2017 Draft, finished his rookie season with five carries for 13 yards and four receptions for 29 yards. His biggest play of the year came on special teams, when he returned a kickoff 71 yards against the Vikings in London. The Browns simply relied on the players in front of Dayes on the depth chart, making it tough to get him offensive snaps. The challenge remains this year, as the Browns' backfield features Hyde, Chubb and Duke Johnson Jr. Dayes will be fighting for a spot on the 53-man roster, and he'll be doing it as both a running back and a special teams cog.
The Browns 53-man roster as of September 22, 2018.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield throws a pass against the New York Jets during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Drew Stanton throws during pregame of an NFL football preseason game against the Detroit Lions, Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Tyrod Taylor looks to throw during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (31) rushes during the first half of an NFL football preseason game against the Detroit Lions, Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Cleveland Browns running back Carlos Hyde (34) rushes during the first half of the team's NFL football preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns running back Duke Johnson (29) runs the ball against Cincinnati Bengals free safety George Iloka (43) in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Gary Landers)
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Antonio Callaway (11) runs away from New York Giants' Orion Stewart (45) and Tae Davis (58) for a touchdown during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Rashard Higgins (81) runs a route during an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in Cleveland. The Jets won 17-14. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) runs a route during an NFL football preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, in Cleveland. Buffalo won 19-17. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Damion Ratley warms up before an NFL football preseason game between the Buffalo Bills and the Browns, Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Rod Streater catches a ball during practice at the NFL football team's training camp in Pittsford, N.Y., Friday, July 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Derrick Willies warms up before an NFL football preseason game between the Buffalo Bills and the Browns, Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns tight end Orson Charles warms up before an NFL football game between the Browns and the Philadelphia Eagles, Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns tight end Seth DeValve (87) runs a route during an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in Cleveland. The Jets won 17-14. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns tight end Darren Fells attempts to make a catch during the team's organized team activity at its NFL football training facility Tuesday, June 5, 2018, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (85) plays against the Pittsburgh Steelers in an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Cleveland Browns guard Joel Bitonio (75) plays against Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Chris Smith (94) in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
OL Austin Corbett in action against the Buffalo Bills.
In this Aug. 30, 2018, file photo, Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Desmond Harrison (69) defends the line as Detroit Lions defensive end Anthony Zettel (69) rushes during the first half of an NFL football preseason game, in Detroit. The Browns could be shaking up their offensive line again. With the season opener against Pittsburgh just a week away, coach Hue Jackson said Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, that "all avenues" are open with his offensive line, which has been in flux since 10-time Pro Bowl tackle Joe Thomas retired after last season. Jackson reiterated he wants the "best five guys out there" and he said undrafted rookie Desmond Harrison could be in the mix. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
OL Chris Hubbard plays in a game against the Buffalo Bills.
Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Greg Robinson (78) walks off the field after an NFL football preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, in Cleveland. Buffalo won 19-17. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns center JC Tretter (64) lines up during an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Cleveland. The Titans won 12-9 in overtime. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Arizona Cardinals offensive guard Earl Watford (71) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Dec.10, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Cleveland Browns offensive guard Kevin Zeitler (70) plays against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Cleveland Browns strong safety Briean Boddy-Calhoun practices before an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Gary Landers)
DB T.J. Carrie in action during practice at the Browns' facility in Berea.
Cleveland Browns defensive back E.J. Gaines runs through special teams drills during the team's organized team activity at its NFL football training facility Tuesday, June 5, 2018, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns strong safety Derrick Kindred (26) lines up during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Cleveland. Cincinnati won 31-7. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns defensive back Terrance Mitchell returns an interception during NFL football training camp Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Ken Blaze)
Cleveland Browns free safety Jabrill Peppers (22) makes an intereption against the Pittsburgh Steelers in an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
DB Damarious Randall in action against the New York Giants.
Cleveland Browns defensive back Denzel Rice waits on the play during the first half of an NFL football preseason game against the Detroit Lions, Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Tavierre Thomas (34) during the first half of an preseason NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Cleveland Browns defensive back Denzel Ward (21) watches in the first half of an NFL football preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Trevon Coley (93) plays against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Carl Davis celebrates tackle from the sidelines against the Chicago Bears in the first half at the Pro Football Hall of Fame NFL preseason game, Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018, in Canton, Ohio. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) defends against Green Bay Packers offensive tackle David Bakhtiari (69) in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Devaroe Lawrence (68) walks on the field during training camp at their NFL football training facility in Metairie, La., Friday, July 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Cleveland Browns defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah celebrates a missed field goal by the Tennessee Titans in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi celebrates a sack in the first half of an NFL football preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns defensive end Chris Smith walks to a drill during the team's organized team activity at its NFL football training facility Tuesday, June 5, 2018, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns defensive end Chad Thomas (92) walks off the field after an NFL football preseason game agains the Buffalo Bills, Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, in Cleveland. Buffalo won 19-17. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Detroit Lions defensive end Anthony Zettel (69) lines up against the Cleveland Browns during an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
LB Genard Avery practices at the Browns' facility in Berea.
Cleveland Browns outside linebacker James Burgess (52) rushes the passer during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in Cleveland. The Packers won 27-21 in overtime. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns outside linebacker Jamie Collins runs a drill during practice at the NFL football team's training camp facility, Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2017, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker D'Juan Hines walks off the field after the team's NFL football practice, Sunday, July 29, 2018, in Costa Mesa, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Cleveland Browns outside linebacker Christian Kirksey (58) lines up during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Cleveland. Cincinnati won 31-7. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns middle linebacker Joe Schobert (53) drops back during an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Cleveland. The Titans won 12-9 in overtime. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Buffalo Bills linebacker Tanner Vallejo in action during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Miami Dolphins kicker Greg Joseph (5) walks off the field at the NFL football team's training camp, Monday, July 30, 2018, in Davie, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Cleveland Browns long snapper Charley Hughlett covers a punt against the New Orleans Saints during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 10, 2017, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns punter Britton Colquitt (4) kicks against the Cincinnati Bengals in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
What happened to the slot receiver we acquired from Philly last year. Wore No. 10? -- Matthew R., Lakewood
That would be Bryce Treggs. The Browns signed him off the Eagles' practice squad in early October and ultimately waived him two months later. He had five catches for 79 yards in six games, one of which he started. Treggs rejoined the Eagles' practice squad in mid-December and remained with the team through their Super Bowl run. He was added to Philadelphia's 90-man roster in February.
Andrew, do you think Derrick Kindred will make the team? There hasn't been much about him this offseason. -- Bill N., Massillon
He's certainly in a great position at this point of the offseason. The third-year defensive back out of TCU is locked into a competition with Jabrill Peppers at strong safety and was the target of plenty of praise Thursday when the team's coordinators and assistant coaches met with reporters.
"The competition that is going on between (Peppers) and Derrick Kindred is lights out," defensive coordinator Gregg Williams said. "Derrick Kindred is one of the best strong safeties I have had the chance to coach in my career in the run game and zone pass game. Jabrill has those same instincts, and Jabrill is really, really good around the ball and having a chance to make plays on the ball, which is important. What has been fun is to watch how both of them have been pushing each other and how far they have taken steps pushing each other."
Kindred has appeared in 26 games (15 starts) over two seasons, both of which ended on the injured reserve, with the Browns. He has 103 tackles and an interception.
How has Chris Hubbard looked at RT and who has stood out at LT and/or RT so far with the free agents and UDFA pickups they landed? I feel they got some pretty good guys. What's your opinion? -- Justin B., New Madison
Hubbard has been a solid, reliable addition to the Browns offensive line. Only on occasion have the Browns used him at anywhere but first-team right tackle. At a practice earlier this week, Hubbard was seen at left tackle while Corbett worked on the right side. Browns coach Hue Jackson indicated that wasn't a likely solution to the team's opening at left tackle. He indicated he'd like to keep the four other spots -- LG Joel Bitonio, C JC Tretter, RG Kevin Zeitler and Hubbard at RT -- set as he looks to replace Joe Thomas at left tackle.
