Three Cleveland Browns whose stocks are down at Training Camp.
It’s a a training camp unlike any other for the Cleveland Browns, who like every NFL team, are trying to play catchup in an effort to be ready for the 2020 campaign, which kicks off Sept. 13 against the Ravens.
Players haven’t had OTAs, mini camps and joint practices to work themselves into being game ready. To make matters worse, there’s no preseason, either. Sure, the preseason is mostly boring because it’s too long, but one or two games would mean a lot to backups fighting for a spot, or rookies trying to get their feet when.
Since those opportunities aren’t there, Training Camp is all the 2020 rosters have to work with.
Unfortunately, the Browns have caught some bad breaks this summer, as second-round pick Grant Delpit ruptured his ACL, while slot corner Kevin John suffered a spleen injury that required a hospital visit. To make matters worse, the Browns lost Mack Wilson for the season.
Add it all up, and it’s been a tall order for first-year head coach Kevin Stefanski-and unfortunately, things are getting any better, as three players have seen their stocks go down at Training Camp, just two-and-half weeks before kickoff.
Jedrick Wills
Nobody wants to read it, but there has to be some level of concern surrounding the team’s first-round pick going with Week 1 about two-and-half weeks away.
Wills played primarily right tackle at the University of Alabama, but he’s switching to left, and he’s been penciled in as the day one starter based off the Browns investment in him.
Wills is still growing into the position, though, and that’s fair. He had no rookie camp, mini camp, or OTAs to acclimate himself at the left tackle spot.
Notably, prior to the team’s day off Aug. 26, the coaches didn’t even have Myles Garrett lining up over him, assumably not to crush the rookie’s psyche.
Fortunately, all the reports indicate Wills is working hard and staying after practice.
The Browns’ first offense series promises to be compelling, as everything is riding on the improvements the Browns made to the offensive line.
If Wills can’t get up to snuff, other options include moving Jack Conklin to the left side. Otherwise, Kendall Lamm and Chris Hubbard are Kevin Stefanski’s other two options.
Wills is a work in a progress, and he’s putting in the work. Hopefully, it clicks before Sept 13.
Options moving Conklin going there in w worst case scenario. Kendall Lamm and Hubbard are other options.
2. Chad Thomas
The first few days of Training Camp saw the former third-round pick working in with Myles Garrett, but then, he was bumped down to taking more reps with the second team until he got hurt with a presumed neck injury.
Thomas received a big opportunity last season, earning more playing time following an injury to Olivier Vernon and a suspension for Garrett. He nabbed four sacks, but didn’t exactly grade out well in the eyes of the analytically oriented website, Pro Football Focus.
Thankfully, Thomas’ injury doesn’t appear to be too serious. It certainly looked scary as he was carted off the field and taken to a hospital. However, he was back at practice a few hours later and is day-to-day.
When he gets back on the field, he may be fighting for a roster spot, as it all depends on how may ends Cleveland retains. If the Browns decide to go with five, Thomas may be fighting for the last spot.
Thomas, a product of Miami, was a third-round pick of John Dorsey’s regime back in 2018. He didn’t play all that much during his rookie campaign, but got that aforementioned playing time a season ago.
3. David Njoku
Somewhere out there in the land of NFL cliches, it’s been said that “Your best ability is availability,” and yet again, tight end David Njoku finds himself missing reps because of an injury–this time a sore wrist.
He’s been sidelined by the wrist since Aug. 23. He missed 10 years ago after breaking his wrist against the Jets on Monday Night Football. When he finally returned, it was obvious had fallen out of favor with then-head coach Freddie Kitchens’ staff.
Elsewhere at the position group, Austin Hooper is showing a nice rapport with Baker Mayfield, while you can see the team was enamored with Harrison Bryant. The mid-round pick has clearly outplayed Njoku, which is another reason the Miami product’s stock is in decline.
Njoku made headlines earlier in the summer when he demanded a trade. It seemed ludicrous then, as he’s accomplished nothing in the NFL, yet he’s out there making demands. He walked back his request at the beginning of camp, but the story remains the same with the guy: Oozes potential, but can’t stay on the field.
4. Damion Ratley, WR
So far, Damion Ratley’s been a survivor in this league.
Despite being a sixth-round pick in 2018, he’s still around, unfortunately, you’ve got to wonder if he’ll make it past the final roster cut.
A hamstring injury left him watching from the sideline during the last two weeks of the 2019 camp, and this year, he’s battling a groin injury.
Ratley, who’s caught 25 passes the past two years, has to stave off the competition, though, and he can’t do that if he can’t play.
Notably, the Browns have gotten a stellar effort from KhaDarel Hodge throughout camp. He’s missed a few practices for person reasons leading up to the Aug. 26 day off.
Additionally, the Browns will likely want to find a spot to store Donovan Peoples-Jones, their late-round draft pick out of Michigan. Not much has been said about the rookie, but the Browns like him. Exposing him to waivers would be a disaster.
Ultimately, but comes down to numbers and Ratley may be the odd-man out if he doesn’t change minds quickly.