Cleveland Browns Training Camp: Three Players to Watch

Training Camp Schedule

First, let’s take a look at what the Cleveland Browns training camp will look like based on a memo obtained by  Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network.

July 28-31: COVID-19 testing and virtual meetings

Days:

• 1: COVID-19 testing
• 2: COVID-19 testing
• 3: No testing
• 4: COVID-19 testing

August 1-2: Physicals and equipment distribution

August 3-11: Acclimation period

This period will include:

• 60-minute weight room and 60-minute on-field conditioning
• Total strength and conditioning with small groups of 15 or less capped at 120 total minutes
• No conditioning tests
• Only Strength and Conditioning coaches
• QBs, receivers, punters, kickers and long snappers permitted to use footballs
• Walk-Thrus permitted up to 60 minutes on the first four days and 75 minutes on the last four days
• August 8th: Off

August 12-16: Gradual ramp-up period

• Maximum of 3.5 hours of on-field activities
• First practice starts at 90 minutes with a maximum 15-minute increase
• The remainder of the 3.5-hour window is limited to walk-thrus
• Helmets and approved protective shirts permitted on Aug. 12 and 13.
• August 14 and 16: Non-padded practices. Helmets and shells permitted.
• August 15th: Off

August 17-September 6: Contact integration period (practice)

• A maximum of 14 padded practices permitted
• First practice starts at 90 minutes with a maximum 15-minute increase
• No increase or decrease in practice duration following an off day
• Daily time limits determined by CBA

Things will undoubtedly be different this season. Even with the changes to training camp and no preseason, the Browns must find answers at right guard, safety, and linebacker. That task will fall on Kevin Stefanski and his staff. Here are three players to watch as they compete to fill crucial roles on both sides of the ball.

Drew Forbes

The Browns drafted Drew Forbes in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of SE Missouri St. Forbes played tackle in college, but at 6-5 and 308 pounds, he is seen more like an NFL guard. He will be competing at right guard and has all the build and athleticism to potentially shine in the zone scheme Stefanski has brought to Cleveland. According to nflcombineresults.com, Forbes’s 40-time was 4.96 seconds, and his shuttle time 4.70. These are precisely the type of numbers you want to see from a guard that will need to move a lot within this system.

While Forbes has all the tools you want, he is still only in his second season and from a smaller school. It is a big jump to the NFL, and he is now learning a completely new system and on his second head coach. The catch is that his competition, Wyatt Teller, is only in his third year and dealing with a lot of the same concerns. Teller is a bit bigger and slower but is still athletic enough to be successful at the position. Forbes will need to show he has made the mental jump required if he is to overtake Teller for the starting job.

Sione Takitaki

Takitaki is on this list because the Browns need him to make a big leap in 2020. Taken in the third round of the 2019 draft, Takitaki was only on the field for 105 defensive snaps. He has a lot to prove to this coaching staff and front office if he is to make an impact in 2020.

There is no questioning Takitaki’s motor or athleticism, but that is sometimes what gets him in trouble. He plays with a lot of emotion, and that can lead to over-running plays or being out of position to make plays in the first place. He will need to show that he can play with contained chaos if he is to make a run at taking one of the starting spots. The opportunity will be there to make an impact based on the limited options the Browns currently have at linebacker.

If Takitaki can find that balance between emotion and disciplined play combined with his athleticism, he can play all over the field and be very useful. The Browns are banking on that with only Mack Wilson and B.J. Goodson as the only linebackers ahead of him on the depth chart at the moment.

Sheldrick Redwine

Redwine is another 2019 draft pick that has a chance to make a name for himself. Redwine, due to injuries/issues in the secondary last season, was able to get on the field for 373 snap and graded out per Pro Football Focus at a solid 66.4, placing him 49th out of 83 safeties graded. Not bad for a fifth-round pick that played all over the secondary with the Miami Hurricanes.

Redwine brings legit 4.4 speed to the position with a willingness to stick his nose in and make tackles. He also showed the ability to rise to the occasion last season when called on. That is something that should catch the new defensive staff’s eyes along with that blazing speed.

Even with the free agents brought in and the drafting of Grant Delpit, Redwine has shown signs he can play in the NFL. If he can prove he has taken his game to the next level, it will be hard to keep the talented defensive back off the field. His kind of versatility and speed are valuable, and it will be up to Joe Woods to determine how valuable. Keep an eye on the young former Hurricane as he could make some noise by the end of training camp.

Follow me on Twitter for more great content @WeirdJBronavich.

Be sure to check out our merch store powered by teespring.com and pick up something!

Discuss this and everything to do with sports at the Overtime Heroics forums!