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NFL 2026 NFL Free Agency Jerry Jeudy is coming off a disappointing season in which he had just 50 receptions and two touchdowns. Robert Deutsch / Imagn Images The Cleveland Browns’ ongoing remake of the offensive roster began with an offensive line shuffle and an emphasis on adding external experience. The Cleveland wide receiving corps still needs a talent infusion. The exact shape of the offensive line remains uncertain, and other questions linger, too. Early signs point to Shedeur Sanders getting the chance to be new coach Todd Monken’s first quarterback, but nothing is guaranteed at the game’s most important position. Advertisement With the first two waves of free agency complete and the NFL Draft four weeks away, it’s time to look at how the Browns have altered their early offensive depth chart and what still needs to change as key personnel decisions are finalized in the coming weeks. With picks Nos. 6 and 24 in the first round, the Browns probably need to add two offensive players. At No. 39 in the second round and No. 70 in the third? Probably offense there, too. Though the team’s most current glaring needs are at left tackle and wide receiver, the upcoming draft class won’t just be about filling out the lineup for the first few games of 2026. Still, it seems a good time to look at that wide receiver group with Ohio State’s Carnell Tate and Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson next up on the receiver pro day circuit. Some explosion is badly needed. As currently constructed, how does an early Browns depth chart look? What’s still to be decided by injury status and the new coaching staff’s preference? Where is there some depth — and where are there mostly questions? Let’s explore.

Veteran additions: Tytus Howard, Zion Johnson, Elgton Jenkins Returning: Teven Jenkins, Dawand Jones, KT Leveston, Luke Wypler, Zak Zinter Howard was the first March add via trade. Though he has position versatility, he’s set to be the right tackle. Johnson was the first big-ticket free agent, and he’s likely going to be the left guard. Johnson played right guard as a rookie, but he’s played almost exclusively left guard since. Elgton Jenkins moved to center last year in Green Bay, but he was primarily a left guard during both of his Pro Bowl seasons. He has experience at both tackle spots from earlier in his career, but he’s likely to sit out in the spring as he continues to recover from a fractured leg. The Browns employed Teven Jenkins last season as a backup guard with emergency tackle versatility, and he signed a new contract earlier this month to potentially compete for a starting guard job. If Elgton Jenkins is a center, the pre-draft depth chart might look something like it does below. If Elgton Jenkins is eventually slated to play one of the guard spots, the Browns could draft a center, and that player could compete for the job immediately. LT: Dawand Jones, KT Leveston LG: Zion Johnson, Kendrick Green C: Elgton Jenkins, Luke Wypler, Kingsley Eguakun RG: Teven Jenkins, Zak Zinter RT: Tytus Howard, Jones, Tyre Phillips Advertisement Depending on how many offensive line additions are made via the draft, Leveston could eventually move inside to guard. Wypler and Jones are both entering the final year of their rookie contracts, so the Browns drafting a tackle and a center seems likely — though, obviously, position versatility has been a part of the team’s previous offseason planning. Cleveland drafting two offensive tackles in the first three rounds remains possible. Early guess: Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson, Dillon Gabriel With the Browns having made no changes to their quarterback room thus far, it’s fair to assume that Sanders will get at least some runway to win the job. It seems likely that the Browns will make an addition via the draft (and possibly trade Gabriel), but two weeks ahead of the start of the formal offseason program, it seems like a Sanders versus Watson competition with Gabriel an outsider and a potential rookie passer joining the mix — but maybe more for the long term than the impending competition. If the Browns added a veteran in the next two weeks (or even just after the draft), that player’s spot on the early depth chart would be determined by how the coaching staff values him. Because such an addition would be a surprise at this point, it’s hard to speculate how that might turn out. Monken’s early comments on a potential quarterback competition framed it as one that would start with meetings and workouts in April — the Browns can have up to 16 non-contact practices, mostly in May and June — and ideally conclude early in training camp. The exact timeframe and division of reps, obviously, should be up to the new coach. If the Browns took Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson in the first round, he would be regarded as a contender to take over the job at some point between September and December. If the Browns draft a developmental passer or just later add a veteran journeyman, we’ll assume the job is at least initially Sanders’ to lose. Advertisement Early guess: Quinshon Judkins, Dylan Sampson, Raheim Sanders Judkins is the clear lead runner and figures to be a key part of the offense. He’s recovering from a fractured fibula and a dislocated ankle that ended his rookie season, but the team feels good about Judkins’ rehab. Sampson is a smaller back who figures to mostly serve in a pass-catching role, while Raheim Sanders was added last August as a future option. Both Sampson and Sanders could potentially be kickoff returners. If you add Ahmani Marshall, who spent part of last season on the practice squad, then the Browns have four running backs — and all four are second-year players. Jerome Ford fell out of the plans last season and signed a one-year deal in Washington earlier this month. Sanders is listed at 230 pounds, so he could win a role taking short-yardage snaps. We’ll see if Monken looks to add a fullback after he often employed one in Baltimore. Either way, a post-draft addition to the room seems possible, but doesn’t seem to be a priority, assuming Judkins will be cleared for training camp. Early guess: Jerry Jeudy, Cedric Tillman, Isaiah Bond, Tylan Wallace, Malachi Corley, Gage Larvadain, Jamari Thrash Jeudy’s big stretch late in the 2024 season was followed by a dud in 2025. The Browns undoubtedly need a No. 1 receiver for their future, and that player could be targeted as early as the No. 6 pick in the draft. With Tillman approaching the final year of his rookie contract, getting a true outside X receiver in this draft should be a priority — even if Tillman can stay healthy and earn a full-time role in 2026. Bond showed off some top-end speed during his rookie season and figures to be in the plans. Wallace adds experience to the group and has ties to the coaching staff from his time in Baltimore, where he had just 22 receptions over five seasons. Advertisement Wallace can have a role as a wide receiver and a mentor to the younger wideouts, but he’s likely to be a special teams player and be in competition for snaps. If Bond and/or a rookie draft pick end up outplaying Wallace, that’s probably a good thing for the offense’s growth. Corley should again compete for a roster spot as a special-teamer and potential slot receiver. The Browns are heavily invested in Jeudy and believe he’ll have a bounce-back season, but it’s also clear that this group, as currently constructed, is not nearly good enough to fully support whomever the quarterback is going to be. It won’t be a surprise to see the Browns add at least two pass catchers during the draft. If the team prioritizes offensive line or another position early in the draft, the Browns could look to add speed and size to the receiving group in the second round and again later, either with a developmental wideout or another tight end. Early guess: Harold Fannin Jr. , Jack Stoll, Blake Whiteheart, Brenden Bates Stoll has mostly been a blocker, and that figures to be the 28-year-old free-agent signing’s primary role. Fannin is versatile enough to line up all over the formation, so he’s clearly the No. 1 tight end but could end up seeing snaps at different spots. It won’t be a surprise if Fannin again leads the team in targets and receptions. Whiteheart signed a new one-year deal, Bates is back via the exclusive rights tender and Sal Cannella signed a futures contract after spending last season on the practice squad. How things shake out for all three likely depends on who else is added and the direction the rest of the roster takes as Monken implements his offense this spring and summer. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle Zac Jackson is a staff writer for The Athletic covering the Cleveland Browns. He is also the host of the "Zac Jackson and Friends" podcast. Previously, Zac covered the Browns for Fox Sports Ohio and worked for Pro Football Talk. Follow Zac on Twitter @Akron Jackson