The latest Cleveland Browns news and notes from around the NFL in the Sunday Dawg Chow.
Happy Sunday, Browns fans! The Cleveland Guardians go for the series win today against the San Francisco 49ers. George Russell and Lewis Hamilton have a front-row lockout as they look to send the hometown crowd into delirium at the British Grand Prix, and Dawgs By Nature is bringing you what you need to know about the Cleveland Browns and the rest of the NFL.
Dawgs By Nature:
- 10 AFC quarterbacks under pressure in 2024 (Jared Mueller) – In terms of sports pressure, few have as much on them as NFL quarterbacks, especially in the AFC. While teams are chasing Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, quarterbacks are trying not to have their legacies overshadowed by Mahomes’ greatness.
- Browns training camp: Who needs to show up bigger, faster, or stronger? (NFLinMotion) – The offseason can make or break a young player’s season, the Browns have plenty of candidates who can cement their status with the team.
Cleveland Browns:
- Why a Browns linebacker is the team’s most overlooked free agent signing (cleveland.com) – The Browns have made some key moves during the offseason, but the one that could be going overlooked is the addition of linebacker Jordan Hicks.
- Browns Have Significant X-Factor In Mike Vrabel (OBR) – At this time of year, national pundits are sharing their rankings and predictions for the 2024 NFL season, but the x-factor that everyone seems to overlook when asking questions about what the Cleveland Browns will be in 2024 is Mike Vrabel. Vrabel’s impact on both sides of the ball will prove to be crucial as he offers a tremendous insight and feedback into what the team is planning on offense and defense.
- Can offseason reps lead WR Cedric Tillman to a second-year leap? The Browns believe so (Beacon Journal) – Cedric Tillman was standing in the visitors locker room in Denver last November talking about what turned out to be the Browns rookie wide receiver’s best statistical game of the season. Granted, it was just four catches for 55 yards Tillman had that afternoon in a 17-point Cleveland loss. However, in a season in which he struggled to get on the field — or even be active on gameday — over the first seven games, it was tangible progress for the former University of Tennessee pass catcher.
- 4 Browns who could earn their first Pro Bowl nod in 2024 (Dawg Pound Daily) – The Cleveland Browns should have a strong presence again for the 2024 Pro Bowl, including these four players who have a shot of earning their first trip.
NFL:
- Vikings rookie cornerback Khyree Jackson killed in car accident at 24 (startribune.com) – Khyree Jackson, who once quit football to work at a Chipotle and a grocery store before becoming a fourth-round draft pick by the Minnesota Vikings, died in a car accident in his native Maryland with two high school teammates.
- State of Saints’ QB Room: Will Spencer Rattler back Derek Carr? (ESPN) – When the New Orleans Saints begin training camp in late July, one of the more unique position battles will be for a backup role. Quarterbacks Jake Haener, the Saints’ 2023 fourth-round pick, and Spencer Rattler, a fifth-round pick this year, will battle to back up Derek Carr, a spot vacated when Jameis Winston signed with the Cleveland Browns in March.
- Will one of these seven NFL franchises finally celebrate first MVP in 2024? (NFL.com) – Following the Houston Texans’ renaissance of a 2023 season, hopes and hype are high in Houston. So too is the opportunity for more history.