The 2026 NFL season is just around the corner, as less than two weeks remain until the opening game between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots. With the preseason wrapped up, teams have finalized their rosters and are looking forward to the year ahead with optimism and excitement.
While there’s certainly at least one aspect of each team around the league that fans are looking forward to, Cleveland Browns fans have many things to keep their eye on when the season starts. New head coach Todd Monken will certainly be under the microscope from the get-go, and the roster moves on both sides of the ball will be closely monitored.
Rookies and new additions alike will be put to the test, and many of the new guys have been praised for the way they’ve attacked the offseason and earned their spot on this team. Veterans have worked hard to earn their keep as well, and veteran DT Maliek Collins has gotten his flowers for the way he’s attacked the offseason, which analyst Lance Reisland detailed on 92.3’s The Fan.
“(Maliek Collins) is one of the most impressive, physically looking guys I’ve seen practice…Mason Graham, who looks fit. He looks outstanding. The guy who’s really going to be super impressive if they can get this rotation going is Adin Huntington. I think this group can be really, really good,” Reisland said.
"(Maliek Collins) is one of the one the most impressive, physically looking guys I've seen practice…Mason Graham who looks fit. He looks outstanding. The guy who's really going to be super impressive if they can get this rotation going is Adin Huntington. I think this group can… pic.twitter.com/sMF2cYABqf
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) August 31, 2026
As Reisland noted, Collins’ physicality has jumped off the page, and fans saw that a lot during the first 12 games of the 2025 campaign. Unfortunately for Collins, he suffered a season-ending injury against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 13, ending what looked to be such a promising year.
If he can pick up where he left off and provide the right voice and culture in the locker room, there’s no telling how well this defense will perform in 2026. Losing Myles Garrett will almost certainly cause a dip in production through the first few games, but Collins and his teammates could start to put the pieces together and perform valiantly.
The Browns haven’t been able to depend on much in recent seasons, but their defense has continued to be a driving force. If they can find that rhythm early, this team could start to turn things around on the offensive side of the ball sooner rather than later.
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