Photos: Position Preview - Offensive Line

Position Preview

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Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) and Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on January 3, 2021 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 24 -22.

Ric Kruszynski/Cleveland Browns

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Offensive tackle Greg Senat (67) during practice on September 11, 2020

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) during a NFL Monday Night Football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on December 14, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 47-42.

Aaron M. Sprecher

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Detroit Lions at Cleveland Browns on August 29, 2019 in the preseason at FirstEnergy Stadium.

Ric Kruszynski/Ric Kruszynski,2019

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Center JC Tretter (64) during the third day of minicamp on June 17, 2021.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Blake Hance during a NFL wild-card playoff football game between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers on January 10, 2021 at Heinz Field. The Browns won 48-37.

David Dermer/Cleveland Browns

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Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during the third day of minicamp on June 17, 2021.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during the second day of minicamp on June 16, 2021.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. (71) during practice on October 28, 2020

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Indianapolis Colts center Javon Patterson (65) runs a drill during practice at the NFL team's football training camp in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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Offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. (71) during the ninth day of phase three on June 8, 2021.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Offensive tackle Drew Forbes (79) during the sixth day of phase three on June 3, 2021.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Offensive tackle Alex Taylor (60) during the sixth day of phase three on June 3, 2021.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Offensive tackle James Hudson III (66) during the ninth day of phase three on June 8, 2021.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Guard Blake Hance (62) during the ninth day of phase three on June 8, 2021.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Center Nick Harris (53) during the sixth day of phase three on June 3, 2021.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Offensive tackle James Hudson III (66) during the sixth day of phase three on June 3, 2021.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Offensive tackle Greg Senat (70) during the sixth day of phase three on June 3, 2021.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Offensive tackle Michael Dunn (68) during the fourth day of phase three on June 1, 2021.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Offensive guard Cordel Iwuagwu (67) during the fifth day of phase three on June 2, 2021.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Offensive tackle Greg Senat (70) during the fourth day of phase three on June 1, 2021.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) before a NFL wild-card playoff football game between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers on January 10, 2021 at Heinz Field. The Browns won 48-37.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during a NFL Monday Night Football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on December 14, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 47-42.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) and Guard Blake Hance during a NFL divisional round playoff football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on January 17, 2021 at Arrowhead Stadium. The Browns lost 17-22.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Blake Hance during a NFL divisional round playoff football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on January 17, 2021 at Arrowhead Stadium. The Browns lost 17-22.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) before a NFL divisional round playoff football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on January 17, 2021 at Arrowhead Stadium. The Browns lost 17-22.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Offensive tackle Alex Taylor (60) during practice on January 8, 2021.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during a NFL football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns on November 22, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 22-17.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Offensive tackle Michael Dunn (68) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars on November 29, 2020 at TIAA Bank Field. The Browns won 27-25.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. (71) during a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on January 3, 2021 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 24 -22.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Center Nick Harris (53) during a NFL football game between the Las Vegas Raiders and Cleveland Browns on November 1, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 16-6.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Center JC Tretter (64), Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) and Offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. (71) during a NFL Monday Night Football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on December 14, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 47-42.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Center JC Tretter (64) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars on November 29, 2020 at TIAA Bank Field. The Browns won 27-25.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) during a NFL football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns on November 22, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 22-17.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. (71) after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on October 25, 2020 at Paul Brown Stadium. The Browns won 37-34.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Offensive tackle Chris Hubbard (74) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on October 25, 2020 at Paul Brown Stadium. The Browns won 37-34.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Guard Colby Gossett (71) during practice on December 26, 2019.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) and Offensive tackle Alex Taylor (67) during practice on August 30, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium.

Austin Janning/Cleveland Browns

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Michael Dunn during practice on August 12, 2020

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Offensive tackle Drew Forbes (79) during practice on October 30, 2019

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Offensive tackle Chris Hubbard (74) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers on October 18, 2020 at Heinz Field. The Browns lost 38-7.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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Photos: 2024 Position Preview - Specialists

The Browns kept their core specialists together after a successful 2023 season, re-signing Bojorquez in free agency and extending Hopkins. Both Bojorquez and Hopkins have their share of accomplishments in their time in Cleveland. Bojorquez set the Browns single season punt average in each of his two seasons since joining the team as an unrestricted free agent in 2022, while Hopkins set a Browns record for most field goals in a season by a Brown by making 33 of his 36 field goals.

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Photos: 2024 Position Preview - Linebackers

The Browns linebacker room went through a number of changes during the offseason, as they lost Anthony Walker Jr., Sione Takitaki to other teams in free agency. However, they brought in Hicks and Bush for depth, as well as drafted rookie Watson in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Even with the changes to the unit, they are anchored by Owusu-Koramoah – who had a breakout season in 2023 -- and is likely to have a more prominent role in 2024.

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Photos: 2024 Position Preview - Safeties

The Browns brought back a key veteran to their safeties as they re-signed Rodney McLeod Jr. for his final season – which he announced on an appearance of NFL Network's "Total Access" in May – as well as extended Delpit in Dec. 2023. They have the necessary depth to the secondary with the presence of Thornhill, as well as anticipated growth from their younger players in Bell and Hickman.

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Photos: 2024 Position Preview - Cornerbacks

The Browns have a solid level of depth to their cornerback room, starting with the veteran presence of Ward and Newsome, as well as with the leap that Emerson took in his second season with Cleveland. The corners played an integral role in the success of the Browns defense throughout the 2023 season – Emerson led the team with four interceptions and tied with Newsome to lead the team with 14 passes defensed, while Ward recorded 11 passes defensed and forced two interceptions.

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Photos: 2024 Position Preview - Wide Receivers

The Browns added more talent to their receiving corps when they acquired Jerry Jeudy in a trade with the Broncos and extended him for three years. They have a solid group of pass catchers in Jeudy, Cooper and Moore, as well as the emergence of Tillman in his second year. Tillman was a standout in minicamp and was recognized for the work he put in during the offseason. Thrash, who the Browns drafted in the fifth round of the 2024 draft, showcased potential during OTAs and minicamp.

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Photos: 2024 Position Preview - Quarterbacks

With a healthy quarterback room, the Browns can use training camp to build their new offense around Watson and the talented receiving corps. They'll have consistency at quarterback from the start of the season in someone who can help facilitate the offense.

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Photos: 2024 Position Preview - Tight Ends

The Browns have solid tight end options that they can use as pass catchers and offensive weapons for QB Deshaun Watson. It all begins with Njoku – who will continue to have a prominent role in the offense. Njoku comes into the 2024 season leading the group after a standout 2023 season, in which he led the team with 81 receptions and a career-high six receiving touchdowns. Yet, Akins also has the potential to have a bigger role in his second year with the Browns.

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Photos: 2024 Position Preview - Running Backs

The Browns fortified their running back room during the offseason, as they signed Hines, Foreman and Ricci during free agency, who each have experience in the league and have played different roles over their careers. Hines has established himself as both a pass-catching threat out of the backfield, as well as a strong kick returner. Foreman brings veteran presence to the room as he is entering his eighth NFL and began his career alongside WB Deshaun Watson in Houston. Ricci is also officially listed as a fullback for the Browns and provides another weapon in the run game.

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Photos: 2024 Position Preview - Offensive Line

The Browns will see the return of key tackles during the 2024 season in Conklin, Jones and Wills. Having their tackles back in the mix will provide a lift to the offensive line that was depleted last season due to all the injuries. Bitonio, Teller and Pocic also anchor the Browns offensive line, and each play an integral role in the success up front. The Browns also re-signed Dunn, bringing back a long-time staple of the offensive line.

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Photos: 2024 Position Preview - Defensive Line

The league's top defense ran it back with their defensive line during free agency, re-signing Harris, Hurst and Smith to contracts. Alongside Garrett and Okoronkwo, they kept their core unit together. The "engine" of the defense is fueled by veteran players who all helped the Browns defense excel in 2023. As a unit, they led the NFL in total defense – allowing just 270.2 yards per game – and passing defense – allowing 164.7 yards per game.