Cleveland’s upcoming preseason showdown with Philadelphia centers on identifying the Browns’ most impactful players in a game that doubles as a red‑zone of evaluation. Dorian Thompson-Robinson returns to face his former team, eyeing a bigger workload behind Kyle McCord and Tanner McKee’s dueling reps in Philly’s depth. Darius Cooper, the undrafted Eagles receiver, is pegged for heavy snaps, while Browns linebackers Dallas Gant and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. aim to show they belong in future game plans. AJ Dillon’s rebound arc and Chipper‑level performances by Cameron Mitchell and Rayshawn Jenkins add to the intrigue, as Cleveland looks to lock in role players and build depth for the regular season. The dynamic also features a Kenny Pickett‑era bookmark, with McKee, McCord, and Thompson-Robinson all vying for critical QB3 reps and possible future opportunities.

Cleveland’s defensive line dominated Day 1, with Myles Garrett wasting no time and finishing unofficially with 2.5 sacks on Jalen Hurts, setting a ferocious tone for the Browns’ front. Lane Johnson acknowledged Garrett’s prowess as a constant challenge, while the Browns’ entire line contributed pressure six times on Hurts during 11-on-11. Cleveland also leaned on Mason Graham and Carson Schwesinger inside, and Cameron Mitchell stepped up as Greg Newsome III recovers. Offensively, the Browns mixed lines and personnel, leaving Philly’s interior to swallow up run lanes as the depth chart experiments continued. DeVonta Smith drew Ward’s attention when healthy, while A.J. Brown was sidelined with a hamstring issue, prompting Ward to sharpen his chemistry with Smith and the rest of the Eagles’ receivers. Hurts found Smith and Goedert when opportunities arose, but the Browns’ pressure and front-seven depth created a telling early indicator for fantasy angles.

For fantasy, Garrett’s early impact props up Browns’ DL upside, while the interior duo Graham and Schwesinger could push for steady push with Garrett drawing attention. The Browns’ run game was stifled by Philly’s interior alignment, underscoring why Judkins remained unsigned and why positional depth will matter in September. Philadelphia’s weapons showed resilience, but Brown’s injury absence casts some uncertainty. The takeaway: the Browns look capable of sustained pass rush, and the Eagles will need to unlock other options if Brown can’t go, giving a few fantasy darlings a clearer path to production when Week 1 rolls around.

The Browns head into joint practice with a high-profile, two-day session against the Eagles. Fifteen Browns players are spotlighted for a show-me environment that could sharpen fantasy value across the offense and defense. Shedeur Sanders leads the way as a rookie quarterback in a contract-year orbit, while Joe Flacco provides veteran stability. Jerry Jeudy offers surgical route-running against Philadelphia’s secondary. David Njoku aims to capitalize on a contract year, with Jerome Ford expected to lead the backfield and Joel Bitonio stabilizing the interior. The defense centers on Myles Garrett’s pass rush, with a young group around him including Mason Graham, Carson Schwesinger, Denzel Ward, Grant Delpit, Ronnie Hickman, and Cameron Mitchell. Philadelphia’s top-ranked defense looms, but the Browns’ depth could create multiple fantasy leverage points over the two days.

Expect Sanders to test the Eagles’ coverage, and watch how Njoku and Ford convert opportunities into dependable fantasy outputs as the Browns push for a decisive two-day showing. Bitonio’s return anchors the line, while Davis and Johnson provide potential sleeper targets if the offense leans into quick-game concepts. Garrett’s play will be a barometer for how quickly Cleveland can transition pressure into splash plays. In sum, the practices should yield clear signals on where fantasy value could swing in Cleveland’s offense and defense, especially for those holding Browns exposure heading into the season.