4 Things We've Learned from Cleveland Browns' OTAs and Minicamp

Though the period between OTAs, minicamps and training camp is a time of optimism for every team in the NFL, this year's Cleveland Browns have more than just optimism on their side.

This is a season that seems rife with real, tangible improvement for a team that has desperately needed it, and as such, the reports coming out of OTAs and minicamp have been, for the most part, glowing.

But let's parse through all that and try to find the truth about all these positive reports.

Here are the four things we've really learned from the Browns' offseason program thus far.

Brandon Weeden Will Likely Be Named Starting Quarterback

Though Brandon Weeden was selected in the first round of the draft, that's no guarantee he'll be a starting quarterback in his rookie season. It takes more than draft positioning to determine someone's role on their team—they also need to prove they can handle all the responsibilities that go along with the job.

So far, it seems as though Weeden can. His OTA and minicamp performance has been up-and-down, and he's worked both with the first- and second-team offenses, but observers were left with the impression that not only does he have the talent to win the job, he also has the requisite maturity. 

From rookie minicamp to the end of the offseason program, Weeden has displayed both a big, accurate arm and the ability to improve at a rapid pace. By the time training camp starts in July, expect Weeden to have complete grasp of the starting job.

The Browns' Receivers Still Have Work to Do

While Brandon Weeden's impressive performances in OTAs and minicamp make it seem like Cleveland's passing game may finally emerge from the NFL's basement, it takes more than just a quarterback to make that happen.

Weeden needs reliable wide receivers. And if the Browns have them on the roster, they didn't do too terribly much to prove that.

ESPN's Jamison Hensley spent time at minicamp and left with the impression that the receiving corps dropped issues aren't yet ironed out, with six dropped passes in 90 minutes' time.

There are some signs of hope. Greg Little is in far better physical shape and actually has an offseason to work with his team, rookie players Travis Benjamin, Josh Cooper and Bert Reed have had their good moments and ESPN Cleveland's Tony Grossi says that third-year player Carlton Mitchell is much improved.

But all of the perfectly thrown passes in the world don't matter if the receiver cannot hold onto the ball. Clearly, the Browns' receiving corps has more work to do over the summer.

Mitchell Schwartz Will Be the Starting Right Offensive Tackle

Second-round draft pick Mitchell Schwartz has been lining up with the first-team offense during OTAs and minicamp, and it's likely the starting right tackle job will be his.

That Schwartz has already beaten out Oniel Cousins this early in the year almost guarantees the rookie will be the starter.

That's excellent news—the Browns very much needed to take a right tackle in the first few rounds of the draft in hopes that he can start right away and help boost the Browns' lackluster run game.

Eric Hagg Has the Edge over Usama Young at Free Safety

Eric Hagg, the second-year free safety, has been impressive thus far in the offseason program, and it's looking very likely that he'll win the starting job that once belonged to Mike Adams, who left in free agency to join the Denver Broncos.

He's been looking better than his competition, Usama Young, staying right on the ball and, according to Jamison Hensley, has the position on lockdown.

Hagg missed time in 2011 after undergoing knee surgery; he also suffered an eye injury in December. Young has never felt like the Browns' solution at free safety, so it's a good sign for their defense that Hagg has stepped up so dominantly thus far.

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