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.

Mason Graham and Carson Schwesinger stepped onto NFL turf for the first time in Cleveland’s 30-10 preseason win over Carolina, each logging 13 defensive snaps. Schwesinger, the No. 33 overall pick, finished as the Browns’ leading tackler with four solo stops and six total, signaling an immediate impact in limited action. Graham, the No. 5 overall pick, contributed an assisted tackle and began the transition from Michigan’s read-and-react approach to Cleveland’s aggressive attack, framing a hopeful long-term fit on the defensive line.

The game wasn’t about explosive stats but the learning curve. Both rookies credited joint practices for accelerating their acclimation, lining up with seasoned teammates like Maliek Collins, Shelby Harris, and Myles Garrett, and gaining a feel for NFL speed. Cleveland coach Kevin Stefanski stressed competitiveness and development, noting these were their first real moments wearing the uniform and that the practice reps with starters were invaluable. Charlotte offered a snapshot of two high-draft defenders adapting—an encouraging sign for fantasy managers watching depth pieces and potential D-line rotations.

Cleveland’s preseason opener highlighted a potential influx of disruptive pieces on defense. Rookie Carson Schwesinger flashed in limited action, posting 4 tackles and 2 assists over 13 snaps, with 3 run stops on five run-defense plays and a game-high run-defense grade per PFF. The Browns’ defensive line depth shone: Julian Okwara logged 2 sacks and 2 TFL, Alex Wright contributed a sack, and Adin Huntington added a sack and a TFL while racking up multiple special-teams stops. Mason Graham also saw 13 snaps with steady, if quiet, deployment. Carolina’s squad showed resilience, with Nathaniel Watson and Winston Reid racking tackles for the Panthers, and Chigozie Anusiem and Easton Mascarenas-Arnold among the defenders who hit solidly. The Browns allowed 1 TD, held Carolina to 25% on third down, logged 4 sacks and 251 yards allowed, underscoring a promising, depth-laden performance that could tilt roster decisions in the coming weeks. Fantasy takeaway centers on Schwesinger’s burst and the Browns’ edge rotation—Okwara and Wright in particular—plus the potential headline-grabbers at corner and depth linebackers vying for roles as the season nears.

Cleveland’s first-team spectacle under the Friday night lights centered on Shedeur Sanders, whose preseason debut impressed with calm command and clean mechanics as he guided the Browns to a 30-10 win over Carolina. Sanders wasn’t alone; several Browns rookies — Mason Graham, Carson Schwesinger, and Dylan Sampson — flashed promise, while Luke Floriea, Gage Larvadain, and Adin Huntington drew fans to their early contributions. Undrafted Kaden Davis snagged attention with a two-score night, drawing praise from teammates and opponents alike.

Beyond Cleveland, the spectacle drew in big-name observers from other sports, including a Hall of Famer who shares a famous lineage, Trae Young, Dawn Staley, and LeBron James, highlighting the rare spotlight a Browns preseason game can command. The replay-worthy performances injected immediate optimism about Cleveland’s offensive ceiling and Sanders’ long-term potential, while the Panthers provided a test case for the Browns’ young depth and pass-catching options as they head toward the regular season.

The Cleveland Browns are focused on strengthening their linebacker corps for the upcoming season, retaining most of their 2024 lineup while adding promising talents like Carson Schwesinger, their first-round pick, and veteran Jerome Baker. Schwesinger, projected to start at Will linebacker, will join Jordan Hicks, who seeks to continue building on last year's success. The competition for the strongside linebacker spot will be fierce between Devin Bush and Mohamoud Diabate.

This offseason reflects the franchise’s strategy of retaining experienced players rather than overhauling the entire roster after a disappointing three-win season. The decision to keep the majority of the linebacker group indicates a belief that the team's struggles might not solely lie with the defensive unit but rather with other factors affecting the team's performance. As training camp approaches, all eyes will be on how these linebackers fit into the Browns' defensive plans.