Training camp is officially underway in Berea, and although it won't include fans packed along the perimeter of the fields or the same schedule it's had in the past, we'll still have position battles and live football action to digest.
We're all excited to see players like Baker Mayfield, Myles Garrett, Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry back in a Browns uniform, but what about players fighting for a chance to wear the orange and brown in Week 1?
Over the next couple weeks, we'll highlight players who are poised to be in the battle for spots on the 53-man roster.
The Player: Taywan Taylor
Position: Wide receiver
Age: 25
Height: 5-11
Weight: 205 lbs
College: Western Kentucky
Check out photos of the team working out Monday
Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) during workouts on August 10, 2020
Linebacker Mack Wilson (51) during workouts on August 10, 2020
Running Back Nick Chubb (24) during workouts on August 10, 2020
Defensive tackle Jordan Elliott (90) during workouts on August 10, 2020
Wide receiver Damion Ratley (18) during workouts on August 10, 2020
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during workouts on August 10, 2020
Defensive tackle Jordan Elliott (90) during workouts on August 10, 2020
Safety Elijah Benton (48) during workouts on August 10, 2020
Offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. (71) during workouts on August 10, 2020
Defensive tackle Jordan Elliott (90) during workouts on August 10, 2020
Tight end Harrison Bryant (88) during workouts on August 10, 2020
Offensive tackle Alex Taylor (67) during workouts on August 10, 2020
Defensive tackle Eli Ankou (91) during workouts on August 10, 2020
Cornerback Greedy Williams (26) during workouts on August 10, 2020
Defensive end Adrian Clayborn (94) during workouts on August 10, 2020
Offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) during workouts on August 10, 2020
Center Willie Wright (66) during workouts on August 10, 2020
Defensive end Adrian Clayborn (94) during workouts on August 10, 2020
Defensive end Olivier Vernon (54) during workouts on August 10, 2020
Running Back Kareem Hunt (27) during workouts on August 10, 2020
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during workouts on August 10, 2020
Linebacker Mack Wilson (51) during workouts on August 10, 2020
Linebacker Tae Davis (55) during workouts on August 10, 2020
Cornerback Greedy Williams (26) during workouts on August 10, 2020
Punter Jamie Gillan (7) during workouts on August 10, 2020
Running Back D'Ernest Johnson (30) during workouts on August 10, 2020
Quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) during workouts on August 10, 2020
Wide receiver JoJo Natson (19) during workouts on August 10, 2020
Running Back Dontrell Hilliard (25) during workouts on August 10, 2020
Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) during workouts on August 10, 2020
Cornerback Kevin Johnson (28) during workouts on August 10, 2020
Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) during workouts on August 10, 2020
Safety Sheldrick Redwine (29) during workouts on August 10, 2020
Linebacker Jacob Phillips (50) during workouts on August 10, 2020
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Before 2020 training camp: Taylor joined the Browns before the first game of the regular season last year in a trade with the Tennessee Titans, who drafted him in the third round of the 2017 draft. He was mostly used as a receiver and special teams depth and was active for three games and recorded three kick returns for 53 yards. Taylor spent his first two NFL seasons with the Titans and has 53 career receptions for 697 yards and two touchdowns.
It's worth knowing that…: Taylor is plenty capable of producing as a receiver. His best season came in 2018 when he made 37 receptions for 466 yards — including a 77-yard game and a 104-yard game — with one touchdown and 12.6 yards per reception. At Western Kentucky, Taylor also set program records with 4,234 career receiving yards and a whopping 41 touchdowns
He might not have been on the field much for the Browns last year, but Taylor still has valuable upside at the NFL level.
How does he fit? Coach Kevin Stefanski won't always need a third wide receiver on the field in his wide-zone offense, which favors additional tight ends and running backs over extra receivers. He'll still need receiving depth, however, and Taylor has the experience and versatility to fit. Taylor could boost his roster value by standing out as a kick returner, a role he'll likely have a chance to compete for during training camp, and will now have his first full camp with the Browns to prove he can help in the receiving game, too.
