Predicting the Winners of the Cleveland Browns' Biggest Training Camp Battles

We're just one day away from rookies reporting to the Cleveland Browns' 2015 training camp, which means that positional camp battles are about to get under way. These battles began during OTAs and minicamp, but now the pads come on and the hitting is live, which will start the process of separating the contenders from the pretenders. 

We've taken a look at the Browns' five biggest training camp battles to watch this year. Now, let's make a few early predictions about who will win them.

Starting Quarterback

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For the entire offseason, the Browns have been operating as though veteran quarterback Josh McCown will be their Week 1 starter for 2015.

Head coach Mike Pettine made it clear that no competition between McCown and Johnny Manziel would be taking place during OTAs and minicamp, and offensive coordinator John DeFilippo said at minicamp's close that McCown will be the first-team quarterback when training camp begins later in July.

But DeFilippo acknowledged that there is more than enough time for that to change before Week 1, saying, "Last year [when I was the quarterbacks coach of the Oakland Raiders], I was at a place where we were sold on a starter [Matt Schaub], too, and then a rookie [Derek Carr] came in and outplayed him in the preseason." 

Manziel will certainly get on-field opportunities during the Browns' four preseason games, and he could show enough in those contests to steal the job from McCown. But Browns coaches and players alike—such as wide receiver Dwayne Bowe—have been heaping praise on McCown all spring and summer.

There's also been no indication that there will be any true competition between McCown and Manziel. At this point in the summer, without seeing the progress Manziel has made as a quarterback, it's hard to predict anyone but McCown to win this battle.

Winner: Josh McCown

Kicker

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Part of the Browns' efforts to rebuild their special teams unit this offseason was to release kicker Garrett Hartley and focus on two untested kickers—Carey Spear and Travis Coons—during the summer to determine who will handle the job for 2015.

Neither Coons nor Spear has regular-season NFL kicking experience, and it's going to take more than a few training camp kicks to determine the winner of this battle. Preseason performances will determine the winner.

For now, the edge has to go to Spear for one reason: For three years straight at Vanderbilt, he racked up the unit's hardest hit each season as determined by special teams coach Charles Bankins. That kind of competitive fire earned him the nickname "Murderleg," and that same competitive fire should earn him an NFL job.

Winner: Carey Spear

Defensive Line

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The Browns take a rotational approach to their defensive line, but that plan was derailed a bit in 2014, thanks to the numerous injuries suffered by their defensive ends and tackles. This year, everyone is healthy, and if they can stay that way, the Browns may finally be able to field the kind of defense that head coach Mike Pettine and defensive coordinator Jim O'Neil have been envisioning.

But even a rotational defensive line cannot accommodate all the players currently on the Browns' roster. Some will invariably be cut after training camp, and others will spend the majority of the season on the bench, serving as depth.

It seems safe to assume that defensive tackles Phil Taylor and Danny Shelton will see significant playing time this year, as will Randy Starks, given how much praise line coach Anthony Weaver has been heaping on him this offseason. Defensive end John Hughes was given a contract extension in the offseason, an indication that he'll be on the field quite often in 2015.

Fellow ends Desmond Bryant and Armonty Bryant will also have roles to play with the first-team defense, with the latter also working as a linebacker. Billy Winn will also require playing time, as will rookie Xavier Cooper. This could result in Ishmaa'ily Kitchen, Jacobbi McDaniel, Jamie Meder, Christian Tupou and Dylan Wynn making the list of defensive lineman who do not make the Browns' final roster.

Winners: Phil Taylor, Danny Shelton, Randy Starks, Desmond Bryant, Armonty Bryant, John Hughes, Billy Winn, Xavier Cooper. 

Nickel Cornerback

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Right now, the assumption is that veteran free-agent acquisition Tramon Williams will be starting on the outside alongside fellow cornerback Joe Haden. This means the real battle at the Browns' training camp will be at the nickel cornerback position. The two players vying for the job are Justin Gilbert and K'Waun Williams.

According to Pro Football Focus, Gilbert played 373 snaps in 2014 while K'Waun Williams played 341, and both were strong in coverage.

Williams allowed only 53.3 percent of the passes thrown his way to be caught, and he gave up three touchdowns while defending nine passes. Gilbert, meanwhile, allowed receptions on 60.4 percent of the passes thrown in his direction and gave up one touchdown, adding an interception and seven passes defended.

But Gilbert battled through off-field issues that saw him fall out of favor with the coaching staff. Though Gilbert has put the past behind him, and though he has performed well in offseason practices thus far, Williams proved to be the more stable player last season. Until something changes in training camp or in the Browns' four preseason games, Williams is the projected winner.

Winner: K'Waun Williams

Wide Receiver

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For an offense expected to be run-heavy this year, the Browns' roster currently boasts 13 wide receivers. This number will have to be pared down considerably once training camp wraps.

Cleveland's leading receiver from 2014, Andrew Hawkins, will still have a role to play—in the slot, where he can maximize his catch-and-run abilities. On the outside, Dwayne Bowe and Brian Hartline will be the team's two deep threats. This trio will be joined in some capacity by Taylor Gabriel, rookie Vince Mayle and potentially the undrafted Darius Jennings.

That would leave Marlon Moore, Travis Benjamin and Rodney Smith on the outside looking in. Terrelle Pryor is an intriguing option to make the 53-man roster, assuming he adapts to the receiver position and the Browns value his experience at quarterback as well.

Winners: Andrew Hawkins, Dwayne Bowe, Brian Hartline, Taylor Gabriel, Vince Mayle, Darius Jennings