CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Browns released their unofficial depth chart on Tuesday for Sunday’s season opener at Kansas City.
While the depth chart is considered “unofficial” and things could change between now and Sunday, the release gives an indication on who head coach Kevin Stefanski plans on starting in Week 1.
One of the biggest questions heading into the season was at linebacker. It appears, as of Tuesday, Mack Wilson is ahead of rookie Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah at will linebacker.
The highly touted 2020 Butkus Award winner from Notre Dame is expected to still be a significant factor this season. Owusu-Koramoah missed a part of training camp due to injury.
“Everybody comes into this believing that they are ready,” he said on Monday. “I do not think any guy who would come up here and you ask that question, and be like, ‘I am not ready.’ I am definitely ready. We put in the work, and we put in the time so we will see what pays off.”
Stefanski gave Owusu-Koramoah credit for bouncing back from injury.
“He is doing a nice job,” Stefanski said about the rookie linebacker. “Obviously, you know he had that delay there in the beginning [of training camp], but he made sure to get all that he could out of all of those walkthroughs. Then he had that injury in the weight room, but he has overcome that, as well. He is doing a nice job. He is continuing to work.”
Wilson has made 22 starts for the Browns as he starts this third season.
One rookie who appears to be headed toward a starting job is Greg Newsome. The first-year player from Northwestern edged out Greedy Williams for the spot. Newsome, as of Tuesday, will be paired with Denzel Ward, a fourth-year starter, from Ohio State.
Newsome told reporters last month that he was prepared for the speed of NFL receivers.
“I think I was pretty much prepared. It is not really surprising that the speed is going to be faster and the guys are going to be more physical,” Newsome said. “That is just taking the next step in the NFL so nothing was really surprising. It was just good to get out here and compete with the guys.”
One other big question mark is the status of Odell Beckham Jr. While Stefanski wouldn’t give an indication on Beckham’s status on Monday, the wide receiver was listed at the top of the wide receiver depth chart, along with Jarvis Landry. Donovan Peoples-Jones and Rashard Higgins could be poised to see their playing time increase if Beckham is not a full go on Sunday.
