Cleveland Browns training camp preview: Storylines, camp battles and expectations

The Cleveland Browns might be the most interesting team in the NFL entering the 2019 season. A huge offseason nearly behind them, Cleveland’s training camp will likely be one of the most interesting to watch this year.

Last season, the Cleveland Browns showed major promise in the second half of the year. After starting 2-5-1, owner Jimmy Haslam chose to finally fire head coach Hue Jackson and bring on defensive coordinator Gregg Williams for the second half of the 2018 campaign.

The second half of the 2018 season saw the full emergence of Baker Mayfield and showcased just how much promise this young Browns team has. Since then, a massively successful offseason has shown just how much general manager John Dorsey and the higher-ups of Cleveland football believe in their core.

Over the course of the offseason, the Browns added two key additions on the defensive line. Both former New York Giants defensive end Olivier Vernon and former Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson will be wearing the orange and brown for the first time this season. The defensive line has rapidly become the biggest strength of the Browns, and should become overwhelming for both offensive coaches and quarterbacks as the season rolls on.

The icing on the offseason cake for Cleveland this season was, of course, wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. While the acquisition of Beckham left the Browns without a first round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, it seems like a small price to pay for perhaps the league’s best receiving talent.

The Browns will be holding 15 public training camp practices in Berea this season, on most weekdays from July 25 until August 21. Tickets for these events have sold out.