The Cleveland Browns head into the 2025 NFL season with low expectations, a new brown helmet and a lot to prove after a three-win season in 2024. The Browns roster is not devoid of talent, with a defense that could be among the best in the NFL once again this year, but the other side of the ball has a lot to prove.

HC Kevin Stefanski is hoping a return to his roots and the promotion to offensive coordinator for Tommy Rees will be the start of that turnaround. It all starts at the quarterback position, but the offense has a few other key spots that need to find a player establishing themselves as the future of the team.

In general, most franchises agree on the following positions as “premium” ones for their roster:

• QB
• LT
• WR (at this point, two or three of them)
• DE
• Pass rushing DT
• CB

In Cleveland, Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward take care of two of those spots, with Jerry Jeudy locking in one of the receiver positions. The Browns roster has five young players who could help take care of the rest, which could open up the future for the team, starting with their two first-round picks in 2026:

• QBs Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel – Everything in the NFL starts at the quarterback position. If either or both of these rookies show they can be long-term starters in the NFL, Cleveland’s future is bright and certain.
• LT Dawand Jones – Showing up to camp in amazing shape (Seriously, amazing) is a great start for the former fourth-round pick. Jones locking down the left side, and a contract extension at some point, would give GM Andrew Berry one less premium position to worry about.
• WR Cedric Tillman – Already noted as the team’s “breakout player,” the bigger Tillman could complement Jeudy very well and give the Browns a 1-2 punch at receiver that could raise the level of the offense for now and into the future.
• DT Mason Graham – Cleveland’s first round pick this year, Graham establishing himself alongside Garrett would give the Browns roster a formidable pairing and cause major issues for offensive lines for years to come.

Which of these 5 do you think will establish themselves as key parts of the Browns future this season? Which do you think will fail at doing so?