Cleveland Browns Depth Chart
- AFC North
- Stadium
- FirstEnergy Stadium
- Head Coach
- Kevin Stefanski
- Offensive Coordinator
- Alex Van Pelt
- Defensive Coordinator
- Joe Woods
- Special Teams Coach
- Mike Priefer
- Defensive Scheme
- 4-3
Cleveland Browns chief strategy officer Paul DePodesta revealed on draft weekend that head coach Kevin Stefanski was adamant about selecting wide receiver David Bell in the third round at No. 99 overall. "You can ask our GM. I was like, 'This day needs to end with David Bell on our team.' Just your ability to catch the ball, which I think is the best in the draft, your ability to get open and just who you are as a person, that fits who we are," Stefanski told Bell. The Browns are confident the first-team All-American from Purdue is capable of making an immediate impact, and they hope to use him as their primary slot receiver now that Jarvis Landry is with the Saints. The Browns have a run-first offense, but with Deshaun Watson now at quarterback, Bell could flourish with Amari Cooper and Donovan Peoples-Jones on the outside.
NFL officials are currently scheduled to meet with Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson in Texas this week, according to league sources. SI.com's Albert Breer mentioned that the league usually talks to the player last in these investigations, so it could be an indication that the NFL is wrapping up Watson's 20 allegations of sexual assault. A determination on whether he'll be suspended could be coming soon. With a potential suspension looming over Watson, the Browns have elected to keep Baker Mayfield around as insurance. Watson missed all of last season with the Houston Texans, and his high-end QB1 fantasy value could take a huge hit if he's forced to miss more games in 2022.
Former Alcorn State quarterback Felix Harper was signed by the Browns on Sunday. Harper threw for 2,489 yards and 20 touchdowns during his final college season with the Braves, so the move adds another quality signal-caller to the roster. However, he'll face some tough competition to earn meaningful work come September, primarily with Deshaun Watson, Baker Mayfield, Jacoby Brissett, and Joshua Dobbs on the depth chart. Yet, with Watson and Mayfield's availability in limbo, there's a small chance Harper could make an appearance during a regular season game, although that's very unlikely to happen.
The Cleveland Browns agreed to a four-year, $4.894 million deal with third-round wide receiver David Bell on Thursday, according to his agent. Bell put up impressive numbers at Purdue, but he's not very fast and could struggle at the next level. The 21-year-old could be an option out of the slot in his rookie season in Cleveland, with Amari Cooper the clear No. 1 on the outside for quarterback Deshaun Watson. Outside of Cooper, the Browns don't have a clear-cut No. 2, with Donovan Peoples-Jones, Anthony Schwartz and Jakeem Grant competing for targets. It's possible that Bell could be a decent dynasty league sleeper because of his big frame at 6-foot-1.
Free-agent wide receiver Jarvis Landry isn't expected to return to Cleveland. After both sides expressed mutual interest, it appears as if Landry will no longer ink a deal with the club. The veteran is coming off arguably his worst year in the league, finishing the 2021-22 campaign with 570 yards and two touchdowns off 52 receptions. The Ravens have been rumored to be in the running to acquire Landry's services, so if he heads to Baltimore, he'll have the potential to start opposite Rashod Bateman. However, considering the birds love to run the ball often, Landry may not be as effective as he was in previous years.
