Jacob RichardSep 2, 2026
Richard identifies the Browns' five thinnest position groups and lays out how they expect the depth chart to shake out at quarterback, tight end, defensive line, cornerback and linebacker.
Published in writing · Sports IllustratedRead the original
What Jacob Richard said
The Browns are the thinnest at the most important position in sports.
- Where it was published
- Sports Illustrated
- The piece
- Ranking the 5 Thinnest Position Groups on Cleveland Browns' 2026 Roster
- The original
- Read the original
- Read it wrong?
- Tell us and we will look
Box score, by kind
HitCloseMissWaiting| Group | Hits | Close | Misses | Waiting | Calls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Depth Chart Calls | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | |
| All | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
How each call scored
13 checkable claims — 13 depth chart calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing call.
It names 14 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 13 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the room on 3 and below it on 10.
Each call is scored 0 to 100 against what happened, on its own, by the published methodology. The naive guess is what knowing nothing would have scored on the same calls; the gap, weighted by how hard the call was, is the skill.
Where this call stands in the room
Deshaun Watson · 2026 season78 calls from 42 pundits between 1 and 2. Jacob Richard said 1. the room's median is 1. not settled yet
Every dot is a call somebody published on the same question. Where the dots land says where this take sits, not whether it is right — nothing here is settled yet. Hover a dot for the name and number; click it to read that take.
Depth Chart Calls13 waitingShow ▸Hide ▾
Jared Verse to be 1st on the depth chart
“The Browns starting defensive line can be solid in Mason Graham, Jared Verse, Maleik Collins, and Isaiah McGuire.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Carson Schwesinger to be 1st on the depth chart
“Defensive rookie of the year Carson Schwesinger leads the group followed by veteran Quincy Williams.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Denzel Ward to be 1st on the depth chart
“The Browns’ first two corners, Denzel Ward and Tyson Campbell, are probably the best position duo on the squad.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Mason Graham to be 1st on the depth chart
“The Browns starting defensive line can be solid in Mason Graham, Jared Verse, Maleik Collins, and Isaiah McGuire.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Dillon Gabriel to be 3rd on the depth chart
“Third-string quarterback Dillon Gabriel looked outmatched last season trying to move the football”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Harold Fannin Jr. to be 1st on the depth chart
“Harold Fannin Jr. put in an impressive rookie season, but had surgery in the offseason... The backup tight ends are Blake Whiteheart and Carsen Ryan.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Myles Harden to be 1st on the depth chart
“Myles Harden is tasked with starting at the slot cornerback.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Deshaun Watson to be 1st on the depth chart
“Deshaun Watson is the starting quarterback and he has not proven he can play the position in six years.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Isaiah McGuire to be 1st on the depth chart
“The Browns starting defensive line can be solid in Mason Graham, Jared Verse, Maleik Collins, and Isaiah McGuire.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Tyson Campbell to be 1st on the depth chart
“The Browns’ first two corners, Denzel Ward and Tyson Campbell, are probably the best position duo on the squad.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Quincy Williams to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Defensive rookie of the year Carson Schwesinger leads the group followed by veteran Quincy Williams. ... The backups are Winston Reid and fifth-round rookie Justin Jefferson.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Maliek Collins to be 1st on the depth chart
“The Browns starting defensive line can be solid in Mason Graham, Jared Verse, Maleik Collins, and Isaiah McGuire.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Shedeur Sanders to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Shedeur Sanders is the backup and may start this season, but his touchdown to interception ratio last season was upside down.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Who this take is about
Jared Verse, Cleveland Browns, Carson Schwesinger, Denzel Ward, Mason Graham, Dillon Gabriel, Harold Fannin Jr., Myles Harden, Deshaun Watson, Isaiah McGuire, Tyson Campbell, Quincy Williams, Maliek Collins, Shedeur Sanders
Others on the same people
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In a Week 9 injury roundup, Moore forecast which banged-up fantasy contributors would play or sit: Deshaun Watson, Garrett Wilson, David Montgomery, Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel, TreVeyon Henderson and Terrance Ferguson are expected out, while Travis Kelce, Saquon Barkley, Michael Wilson, Christian Watson and Emeka Egbuka should play. They also expect Shedeur Sanders and Drew Lock to start at quarterback.Mitchell Eisenstein · Game Outcome Picks · Cleveland Browns · Miss 0
Mitchell gave their Week 9 top-five power rankings, keeping Buffalo first and the 49ers second while elevating the Bears, Jaguars and Lions, and picked a slate of Week 9 games including a Packers win in New England, a Panthers upset of Denver, and blowouts for Detroit, Kansas City and Houston. They also tabbed Jonah Coleman as a late-season Offensive Rookie of the Year pick.
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Herlin published Week 7 fantasy D/ST rankings with projections for 28 team defenses, led by Houston, Minnesota and Cleveland. They also expect Cleveland to post a fourth straight top-10 fantasy defense result, and predicts Jalon Daniels starts another week for Tampa Bay while J.J. McCarthy takes over as the Giants' starter.