All of the outside attention around the NFL and for analysts of the league as a whole will be completely focused on the Cleveland Browns’ quarterbacks in their first preseason game. It is one of the very few open competitions, which would generate enough attention regardless of the participants, but the fact that it is between polarizing personalities Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders adds another layer of interest.
But for the Browns as a team, that is just one area of great interest heading into the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Saturday afternoon. So, internally, at least, there will be plenty of other players to keep an eye on.
Analyst Nathan Zegura revealed two critical roster concerns for the Browns, identifying the rebuilt offensive line and the team’s depth at cornerback.
“The thing that I would be watching the most with the starting lineup is the offensive line. What’s happening at right guard, that’s the one battle that’s still open. Beyond that, how do [Spencer] Fano and [Tytus] Howard look at the tackle positions? How does Elgton Jenkins look at center? How does Zion [Johnson] look at left guard? What’s happening at that right guard spot? Outside of the starters, the corner depth is probably the biggest question mark on this football team. If Tyson Campbell and Denzel Ward go down right now, I don’t know that we have a great answer on the outside at that position to back them up,” Zegura said.
"The offensive line…what's happening at right guard. Outside of the starters, corner depth."
➡️ @NathanZegura w/ @KenCarman and @SportsBoyTony on what he's watching most with #Browns on Saturday beyond QB pic.twitter.com/7tTfAPWOve
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) August 14, 2026
In looking for the five best players to make up the revamped offensive line, the Browns seem to have settled on Fano, the No. 9 overall pick from the 2026 NFL Draft, and Howard, who was acquired in a trade with the Houston Texans, as the bookend tackles. Free agent Elgton Jenkins, a former Pro Bowl guard, will continue the transition to center he began last season with the Green Bay Packers.
Johnson, another free agent signee, is set at left guard, which leaves Teven Jenkins in line for the right guard job. Interestingly, at practice on Wednesday, he split first-team reps with Tyre Phillips, who has played in just three games since suffering a quad tear in Week 17 of the 2023 season with the New York Giants.
Meanwhile, in the secondary, with Campbell, Ward, and Myles Harden as the starting and nickel cornerbacks, there is not much depth behind them. With Campbell recently held out of drills, Tre Avery may get a chance to start and prove he can be a viable replacement if either of the veterans gets injured. D’Angelo Ross and Myles Bryant have missed practices, and Damarri Mathis was placed on injured reserve, which could leave plenty of snaps for Nate Evans, Michael Coats Jr., Jeadyn Lukus or Tyler Hall.
So, there are opportunities for some lesser-known players to make their marks and help fill out the roster.
NEXT: Analyst Reveals What Will Decide Browns QB Competition
