BEREA, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns open the 2022 season at the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 11.
The Browns finished the 2021 season 8-9 and missed the playoffs, prompting Cleveland to overhaul the quarterback position this offseason. Not only did the Browns move on from former No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield, they sent three first-round picks to the Houston Texans to acquire Deshaun Watson before handing him a five-year, NFL-record $230 million fully guaranteed deal.
It remains unclear, however, how many games -- if any -- Watson will play for the Browns this upcoming season. Watson faces 24 active civil lawsuits from women who have accused him of inappropriate sexual misconduct during massage sessions. Watson has denied all wrongdoing. But the NFL is investigating whether Watson violated its code of conduct policy.
Whatever happens with Watson, Cleveland boasts a roster around him that is Super Bowl-caliber.
QUARTERBACK (2): Deshaun Watson, Jacoby Brissett
If Watson is in fact suspended, look for offseason addition Joshua Dobbs to join the active roster. But while Cleveland could ride the bulk of the season with Brissett as its starter in the event of a Watson suspension, the Browns could also look for another quarterback trade -- Baker Mayfield for Jimmy Garoppolo, anyone? -- to help the team tread water while Watson is out.
RUNNING BACK (4): Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, Jerome Ford, Demetric Felton
Despite recently signing a one-year deal, D'Ernest Johnson could actually be the odd-man out in the backfield. Johnson has proven to be a quality back, but with the Browns drafting Ford and Felton the past two years -- and Chubb and Hunt commanding the bulk of the carries -- Johnson could be a prime training camp trade candidate.
FULLBACK (1): Johnny Stanton
Stanton, a former college quarterback, has supplanted Andy Janovich as the team's starting fullback. Stanton caught his first TD for the Browns last season.
WIDE RECEIVER (6): Amari Cooper, Donovan Peoples-Jones, David Bell, Anthony Schwartz, Jakeem Grant, Michael Woods II
Cooper takes over as the team's No. 1 wide receiver. The biggest question here is, who will be flanking him? Peoples-Jones will get the first shot to be Cleveland's No. 2 receiver, but watch out for Bell, whom the Browns drafted in the third round this year. Bell, who was one of the most productive college receivers while at Purdue, flashed those sure hands in minicamp. Woods II, a sixth-round pick, and Ja'Marcus Bradley will be vying for what is probable to be the final spot in the rotation.
TIGHT END (3): David Njoku, Harrison Bryant, Miller Forristall
It's likely that Cleveland's eventual third tight end behind Njoku and Bryant isn't on the roster just yet. And after moving on from Austin Hooper and Stephen Carlson, the Browns are a good bet to be on the hunt for another tight end coming out of cut day.
OFFENSIVE LINE (10): Jedrick Wills Jr., Joel Bitonio, Nick Harris, Wyatt Teller, Jack Conklin, Michael Dunn, Blake Hance, James Hudson, Chris Hubbard, Ethan Pocic
With the Browns letting go of JC Tretter, Harris becomes the lone new starter up front at center. Dunn, Hance, Hudson, Hubbard and Pocic all have starting experience as reserves, as well, making this one of the deeper lines in the league -- on top of being among the most effective and talented.
DEFENSIVE LINE (10): Myles Garrett, Jadeveon Clowney, Jordan Elliott, Taven Bryan, Tommy Togiai, Perrion Winfrey, Alex Wright, Chase Winovich, Isaiah Thomas, Sheldon Day
Outside the dynamic duo of Garrett and Clowney, there's not much in terms of proven commodities along the Browns defensive line. If Cleveland's young defensive tackles collectively struggle in training camp, the Browns could be in the market to sign a veteran before the start of the season to help solidify their rotation up the middle defensively.
LINEBACKER (5): Anthony Walker, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Sione Takitaki, Jacob Phillips, Tony Fields II
Fields II made little impact last season as a rookie while dealing with injuries all year. If he can stay healthy, the former fifth-round pick should have the inside track to earning the final linebacker's spot.
CORNERBACK (5): Denzel Ward, Greg Newsome II, Greedy Williams, Martin Emerson, A.J. Green
The Browns have to feel good about their corners, which stood out as much as any other position during minicamp and OTAs. As Newsome transitions to manning the nickel position, Williams and Emerson, this year's third-round pick, will battle for time opposite Ward on the outside.
SAFETY (4): John Johnson III, Grant Delpit, Ronnie Harrison Jr., Richard LeCounte III
Johnson, Delpit and Harrison were the team's top three safeties last year, and should thrive off their chemistry together. The Browns are also banking that LeCounte III, a fifth-round pick last year, can produce more of an impact this season after contributing little as a rookie.
SPECIALISTS (3): Charley Hughlett (long snapper), Cade York (kicker), Corey Bojorquez (punter)
After struggling on special teams in recent season, the Browns completely overturned this unit, signing Bojorquez to punt, Jakeem Grant to return kicks and punts and drafting York in the fourth round to consistently convert field goals. York could prove to be the rookie that makes the biggest impact in 2022, having already been handed the team's starting kicking job.