Dawgs By Nature
Training camp is almost here, and it’s time for these players to step up in their second go-around.
Cleveland Browns training camp officially begins on July 23rd, and there are a few players who need to have a big camp to either solidify their roster spot or gain ground in their positional pecking order.
Though there are more than just three players who could help themselves with solid performances in this year’s training camp, these three guys could have the most to gain or the most to lose.
Harden had a lot of hype around him in 2024 despite being a 7th-round pick. He blew up in the pre-draft process as a potential lock-down, physical slot corner due to his scrappy nature and tackling skills.
He played in four games last season for a total of 102 snaps, 54 on defense and 49 on special teams.
The main reason he needs to have a big training camp is due to the simple fact that Cleveland has a surprising amount of talented, depth-level cornerbacks on the roster right now. Players like Nik Needham, Chigozie Anusiem, and UDFA CB LaMareon James all have lots of potential to be the Browns’ CB6 this year. If Harden’s going to make the team in 2025 then he needs to solidify himself as a top six guy in the cornerback room, and as of right now, I’m not sure he’s there yet.
Watson was Cleveland’s 6th-round pick last season and though he had a strong rookie training camp, only 18% of his total snaps played were on defense in 2024 before he got injured.
He played in 14 games with 1 start and finished the year with 14 tackles and 1 pass deflection.
His lack of participation on defense, as well as his injury opened the door for UDFA LB Winston Reid to shine last season. Reid was not only a better player in the defensive rotation, but he was an absolute nightmare on special teams. Watson could be the player with the most to lose this season, especially since the team re-signed Reid, and they’d save cap space by cutting Watson.
Thompson was quietly one of the better offensive tackles at the FCS level in 2023, and an excellent UDFA signing in 2024. His beautiful pass sets, overall footspeed, and performance stood out in the preseason last year, leading to the team making sure that he was with the organization throughout the entirety of the year.
He didn’t see the field during the regular season, though he was eventually activated from the practice squad late in the year.
If he has another strong training camp in 2025, there’s a good chance that he’ll be a lock to make the 53-man roster heading into week one as one of the top swing-tackles on the roster.
***Who else do you think needs to have a productive training camp this season? Join fellow Browns fans...
