Browns Rumors: Latest Buzz, Players to Watch at Mandatory Minicamp

Many Cleveland Browns players have attended the team's voluntary OTAs over the past two weeks. The participants included some of their key offseason acquisitions, such as wide receiver Elijah Moore and edge-rusher Za'Darius Smith.

The prep work for the 2023 NFL season will continue this week, when the Browns hold their mandatory minicamp from Tuesday through Thursday. And every member of their roster will be in attendance for the event.

Cleveland has playoff aspirations for the upcoming season after missing out on the postseason each of the past two years. But there are still three months to go before the regular season, and the team still has plenty to sort out roster-wise between now and then.

Here's some of the latest buzz surrounding the Browns heading into their mandatory minicamp, along with a look at some players/storylines to keep an eye on this week.

Could Hopkins Be Brought in to Boost Receiving Corps?

AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins runs down field against the New England Patriots during the first half of an NFL football game in Glendale, Ariz., Monday, Dec. 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Perhaps a reunion between wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and quarterback Deshaun Watson could soon occur in Cleveland.

That's because Hopkin, who was teammates with Watson on the Houston Texans from 2017-19. is a free agent who has the potential to end up signing with the Browns ahead of the 2023 season.

According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2, there is "strong mutual interest" between the Clemson product and Cleveland. And Watson is "excited about the possibility of adding his former teammate" to the Browns' offense.

Hopkins would boost a Cleveland receiving corps that doesn't have a clear No. 2 playmaker behind Amari Cooper. The Browns have a lot of WRs on their roster, but they would likely make room for Hopkins, a three-time All-Pro selection and five-time Pro Bowler who spent the past three seasons with the Arizona Cardinals.

It may take a little while before Hopkins signs with a team, as Wilson reported his situation remains "fluid" with "a lot of it contingent on price." But if Cleveland is willing to meet the cost, then Hopkins could take the team's offense to another level in 2023.

Who Will Be Primary Backup to Chubb in Backfield?

AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki

Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford, left, carries the ball during an NFL football practice, Wednesday, May 24, 2023, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

For the past four seasons, Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt formed a two-headed rushing attack for the Browns. Now, the latter is gone and the former is the clear No. 1 running back, likely to account for a large percentage of the team's carries in the 2023 campaign.

But who will be the primary backup to Chubb? That isn't yet clear, although Cleveland has a host of RBs who will be vying for the role in Jerome Ford, Demetric Felton Jr. and John Kelly Jr.

Browns offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt recently praised Ford, noting the 23-year-old second-year back "has done a nice job when he's had his opportunities," per Brandon Little of Sports Illustrated.

However, Van Pelt also said he feels like the team has "a good mix of different types of players that can all play roles for us" in the backfield.

Some running backs are sure to get more touches than others, though. So, they'll likely be competing for opportunities throughout the summer, and it's a possible a clear No. 2 option will emerge to become the top complement to Chubb in the ground game.

Newsome Not Guaranteed to Play Outside on Defense

AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki

Cleveland Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II catches a pass during NFL football practice, Wednesday, May 24, 2023, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Cornerback Greg Newsome II hasn't hidden his feelings on playing in the slot over his first two seasons in Cleveland. He made it clear with a tweet in February that he's hoping not to be in the slot again during the 2023 campaign.

However, the 23-year-old may not get his wish. Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz indicated during voluntary OTAs that Newsome is likely to line up at various spots for Cleveland's defense again during the upcoming season.

"He's played outside corner, he's playing inside corner," Schwartz said, per J.R. De Groote of Heavy. "He's going to be an important part of the defense, whether he's playing inside, outside, or rushing the passer."

Newsome has quickly become a reliable member of the Browns' secondary, having started 26 games over the past two seasons. Even if he doesn't prefer to play inside, he's shown he can have success no matter where he plays, and that could continue to be the case as he prepares for his third year in the NFL.