The Cleveland Browns will open their season against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. Over the offseason, general manager Andrew Berry made some interesting roster moves to solidify the defense. With most of the offensive Browns depth chart already set, there are only a couple of spots a guy could find playing time. Rashard Higgins, who seems to be Baker Mayfield’s favorite target, may drop in the depth chart after Donovan Peoples-Jones had a great training camp and preseason. Other than that, the offense should be largely the same as last season.
So, without further ado, let’s see who will be starting for the Cleveland Browns in 2022.
Predicting the Cleveland Browns Offensive Depth Chart
Starters will be bolded
Quarterback
- Baker Mayfield
- Case Keenum
This is a no-brainer. Case Keenum had a solid preseason, as did Kyle Lauletta. However, the Browns will only keep two quarterbacks, and Keenum is number two. On Sunday, Mayfield will become the first Browns quarterback to start four consecutive season openers since Bernie Kosar.
Running Back
- Nick Chubb
- Kareem Hunt
- D’Ernest Johnson
- Demetric Felton
Again, pretty obvious at the running back position. Johnson and Felton might be more of special teams players right now. However, both could play a part in the return game as well. I anticipate Nick Chubb will get 65% of the carries with Kareem Hunt getting 35%. It’ll be interesting to see who they use most in the red zone. It seemed like last year they went to Hunt a lot. Either way, Hunt and Chubb are both capable of 1,000 rushing yards each.
Fullback
- Andy Janovich
Another backfield member is back in 2021. Johnny Stanton gained some real reps in the preseason and seemed to be getting some momentum going forward. Unfortunately for him, it was cut short, literally. Janovich teamed with Hunt and Chubb to form the best pass-blocking backfield in the NFL.
Wide Receivers
- Jarvis Landry
- Odell Beckham Jr.
- Donovan Peoples-Jones
- Rashard Higgins
- Anthony Schwartz
The Cleveland Browns receiver room is quietly one of the best in the AFC. Jarvis Landry is a staple around Cleveland. He’s looked at as the man who changed the culture in the Browns locker room. Opposite him is his good friend Odell Beckham Jr. OBJ hasn’t had the best seasons while with the Browns. However, all reports say he looks better, faster, and healthier than ever. Landry and Beckham Jr. could form one of the best pass-catching tandems in the NFL.
Donovan Peoples-Jones had an incredible training camp and preseason, so he gets the nod in three-wide receiver sets. As for Higgins I think he’ll see 10-15 snaps. Schwartz just hasn’t been able to get on the field for the Browns. However, he is lightning fast and, when he’s healthy, could be a major home run threat for Baker and the Browns.
Tight End
- Austin Hooper
- David Njoku
- Harrison Bryant
Another position group that is very underrated throughout the league. Njoku had a great offseason, so I think he and Hooper are more 1a and 1b. Hooper is always a reliable goal-line threat and has good strength. Personally, I think this is the year Njoku goes off. He has receiver skills and speed with a tight end’s body. As for Bryant? He’ll get in on goal line situations and other run-heavy formations. It wouldn’t shock me if he had 4-5 touchdowns this year.
Offensive Line (Backups)
- LT Jedrick Wills Jr. (James Hudson)
- LG Joel Bitonio (Michael Dunn)
- C JC Tretter (Nick Harris)
- RG Wyatt Teller (Blake Hance)
- RT Jack Conklin (Chris Hubbard)
The Browns bring back every piece on an offensive line that was arguably the best in the NFL last year. Jedrick Wills Jr. had an above-average rookie campaign. He needs to refine his pass-blocking technique, but he’s a solid left tackle. James Hudson was a fourth round pick of this year’s draft. Bitonio, Tretter, and Teller form what has to be the best interior offensive line trio in the NFL. All three are absolute bullies in run-blocking, and have gotten better pass-blocking every year. Conklin will get the start at right tackle after having a great season last year. Chris Hubbard is really the main backup for every position other than center. Nick Harris occupies the backup center role.
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