The Browns and Eagles held joint practices, and the session already produced notable buzz. Shedeur Sanders exited early with an oblique issue, throwing up a question mark for his availability in the next preseason showdown. Diontae Johnson flashed against Philadelphia’s secondary, while rookie Mason Graham enjoyed a standout day against a stout Eagles front. Cleveland also swung a high-stakes trade, sending the No. 2 pick to Jacksonville for Travis Hunter, only to land Graham at No. 5 to anchor the defensive line. If Graham’s practice-floor success translates, Cleveland could wield one of football’s most disruptive fronts. ESPN chatter highlighted a Graham sack on Hurts, underscoring the potential splash players may make this season. The pairing of Brown’s pass rush with Eagles’ offensive-line tests created a rich tapestry for fantasy observers eyeing line rotations, depth charts, and how a crowded defensive front might influence sack and pressure metrics.

Beyond the X’s and O’s, the joint practices mapped out immediate fantasy implications. Johnson’s presence gives Jacoby Brissett or any Browns quarterback a live weapon, especially if Sanders’ absence limits air-attack tempo. On the other side, Hurts remains a marquee fantasy asset, but a youthful interior rusher like Graham could chip away at time to throw. The Hunter trade adds intrigue to Cleveland’s long-term defensive plan, hinting at a multi-front rotation designed to keep offenses off balance. This clip-studio of practice intensity sets up a compelling early-season narrative for Browns defenders and Eagles blockers alike.

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.

Esposito won’t compare this Michigan defensive line to last year’s veteran group. The focus is forward, not backward, with new roles for the D-tackles and edges while the program reloads from the departures of Graham and Grant. The depth is touted as a defining strength for 2025, and the staff emphasizes maintaining the Maize and Blue identity through rotation and role clarity. The system, powered by Wink Martindale’s design, is expected to maximize each player’s ceiling and keep pressure on opposing offenses even as personnel shift.

Esposito credits the scheme for creating opportunities and stresses that production isn’t always captured in traditional stats, citing bounces, knockbacks, and distribution of plays as evidence of a healthy defense. The message to players is simple: adapt to new roles while delivering the same Michigan tenacity. Maize & Blue Review frames this as a bold, calculated reboot that preserves the program’s edge without sacrificing identity or effort.

In short, Michigan faces 2025 with a deeper, more versatile front, anchored by a coaching philosophy that prioritizes system over static personnel and a plan to keep pressure steady through smart rotations and smart development.

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.