Cleveland Browns Training Camp: Week 1 Stock Report

The first week of the Cleveland Browns' 2015 training camp has come and gone, and some players have been surprises, both good and bad. As expected, when the pads come on, there are players who struggle and those who shine.

Let's take a look at those risers and fallers on Cleveland's roster. Here is the Browns' training camp Week 1 stock report.

Stock Up: DL Danny Shelton

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Based on the fact that the Browns used their first of two Round 1 draft picks on him this year, it was expected that defensive tackle Danny Shelton would make a positive impact as a rookie. And though he's yet to actually play in an NFL game, his progress from the spring to summer's training camp has been impressive.

Defensive line coach Anthony Weaver said on Tuesday, relayed by the team's official site, that Shelton is "doing a heck of a job." Weaver went on to note, "he's a rookie so he makes rookie mistakes. He still has to learn all the defenses and all of those things, but for a rookie at the point he's at now, I think he's doing a tremendous job."

A testament to that? Shelton spent all of Wednesday's practice as the first-team nose tackle, as observed by the Akron Beacon Journal's Nate Ulrich. And he's more than held his own, no matter whom he's matched up with. Weaver added: "To his credit, he's done very well, whether it's with the ones, twos, whoever he's gone against, he's played very well."

Though it's still early, Shelton seems like he's living up to his draft billing.

Stock Down: LB Barkevious Mingo

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Outside linebacker Barkevious Mingo had already ceded early-down work to pass-rusher Scott Solomon after Solomon proved to be a standout in the Browns' OTAs and minicamp earlier in the offseason. Solomon got the nod to work with the first-team defense while Mingo continued to rehabilitate his shoulder after undergoing surgery following the 2014 season.

Because Solomon was so impressive, defensive coordinator Jim O'Neil cautioned that Mingo would have to earn his playing time with the first-team defense in training camp. According to Cleveland.com, O'Neil said the following after June's minicamp:

"No one is guaranteed anything on the defense. ... You're going to have to earn playing time. We're deep in every position group. Mingo is going to have to come back ready to go, and he's going to have to earn it."

O'Neil did, however, note there is a place for Mingo on this defense: "He is going to have to compete for playing time on early downs. He's going to have a role in our sub-packages...he's by far our best outside linebacker in coverage."

But on top of Mingo losing snaps to Solomon, he's now sidelined with a mystery injury. Mingo did not participate in Wednesday's practice, and head coach Mike Pettine, relayed by Fred Greetham of Scout.com, said: "He has something he was being evaluated for. ... We'll have some more [information on Thursday]."

Mingo has not only been trying to rehab his shoulder but also his reputation. And now that he's hurt, he cannot fight with Solomon to reclaim some of his defensive snaps.

Stock Up: RB Shaun Draughn

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Cleveland's running backs corps is severely depleted by injury. Glenn Winston came into training camp with a knee injury and has yet to participate, while Terrance West and Duke Johnson suffered calf and hamstring injuries respectively once the pads came on in practice. Undrafted rookie Luke Lundy is also sidelined with a concussion.

That left the Browns with only two healthy backs—Isaiah Crowell and Shaun Draughn—and forced the team to sign Timothy Flanders and Jalen Parmele on Monday. But Draughn is taking advantage of his increased reps to the point he could be securing himself a spot on the 53-man roster.

Draughn was signed late in the 2014 season and didn't record a single catch or carry. But he's doing a lot of both in training camp, turning heads while he does. Kevin Jones of the team's official site named Draughn one of his four "standouts" from Sunday's practice.

Head coach Mike Pettine is also impressed with Draughn, saying on Wednesday, relayed by Andrew Gribble of the team's official site, that he had a "high opinion" of Draughn before camp and thus is "not surprised" he's doing so well. 

Should any of these injuries linger for the running backs, the position seems to be in good hands with Draughn. Even if he doesn't get many carries once the season begins, he'll be valuable insurance for a position that has been hard hit by injuries this summer.

Stock Down: CB Justin Gilbert

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This year's training camp was supposed to be the scene of Browns cornerback Justin Gilbert's redemption story. A rookie year marred by off-field distractions and on-field missteps was set to give way to living up to his 2014 Round 1 draft pedigree.

But now, not only is Gilbert not in the running to displace outside cornerback Tramon Williams, he's quickly falling out of the discussion as the team's starter in the slot. Initially thought to be a battle between K'Waun Williams and Gilbert, Pierre Desir has suddenly stepped in to work with the first team.

Browns defensive backs coach Jim Hafley explained the decision on Sunday, relayed by Cleveland.com:

"

Why was Pierre out there first today? Because he earned it. And that's how we're going to be in the room. Whoever earns it is going to be who goes out, whether it's with the twos [or] if Tramon takes a day off, it's with the ones. That could change tomorrow. It could've changed halfway through practice. But when you create competition, you've got to be fair, and whoever earns it is going to be the next guy in. And Pierre earned it today, so today he got the nod.

"

Browns coaches have been driving home the point that the depth chart is a meritocracy, so just because a player was drafted high does not guarantee him a starting job. Suddenly, that fact is becoming quite clear for Gilbert. If this trend continues, he may see very little playing time in his second season.

Stock Up: QB Johnny Manziel

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There is, as of yet, no open competition for the starting quarterback job, with Josh McCown still firmly in the lead. But backup Johnny Manziel has shown progress during the first week of training camp, which is the very least that can be asked for at this point in his NFL career.

Manziel had a sharp day of practice on Wednesday, with 92.3 The Fan's Daryl Ruiter noting he "made a couple of really nice throws." ESPN's Pat McManamon, who also witnessed Manziel's "good throws" on Wednesday, remarked that Manziel has "worked hard at becoming a pocket passer."

Though Manziel still has a way to go before he can contend with McCown or threaten his starting spot, seeing progress is a positive development. The more he can handle work in the pocket, the closer he is to being a viable quarterback in the NFL.