July 28 is an important day for the Cleveland Browns because it marks the start of Todd Monken’s first training camp as a head coach. 

The NFL news cycle is rather quiet right now, but it’ll soon be heating up with training camp around the corner. For the Browns, much of the attention will be on the starting quarterback battle between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders. 

To start the week, we’re going away from the QB battle and instead going to take a look at three players who simply have to put some good ball on the field in 2026 if they want to stick around in the future with the Browns. 

WR Jerry Jeudy 

The Browns showed us what we already knew this offseason, they needed a major influx of talent at the wide receiver position. They did just that by adding KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston in the first and second rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft. Both players are big pieces of the future in Cleveland, and if they develop into what the Browns hope, they’ll be pushing players off the roster. 

Jeudy had just 602 receiving yards last year after having a career-best season in 2025 with over 1,200 receiving yards. The quarterback play took a step back, but Jeudy wasn’t the same player either, and he appeared checked out at times. Cleveland has Jeudy under contract through the 2027 season, but could move off of the 27-year-old after the 2026 season to save money at the position. The Browns can save $6.9 million on the cap as a post June 1 cut in 2027.

RB Dylan Sampson 

The RB2 spot is an important spot in the NFL and you need to have a capable player ready to step up in case your RB1 goes down. Quinshon Judkins is Cleveland’s bellcow back and Sampson showed strong ability as a pass catcher last season. If the former Tennessee running back is going to be a true 1-2 punch with Judkins over the duration of his rookie contract, he has to be a better runner in 2026. 

Sampson ran the ball for 167 rushing yards a year ago at just 2.7 yards per attempt. That’s not going to cut it for Cleveland behind Judkins, and it’s a clear area we’ll be watching for in Year 2 for Sampson. If Sampson can’t get positive yards on the ground consistently in 2026, he may be passed up by Raheim Sanders. 

DE Isaiah McGuire 

Cleveland trading Myles Garrett shook up the EDGE room, even if the Browns got a very good player back with Pro Bowler Jared Verse. The Browns gave Alex Wright a second contract and McGuire is in search of getting one himself. In the final year of his rookie contract, the former SEC standout will have a chance to earn one. 

McGuire has 4.5 sacks over the last two seasons as a depth pass rusher and run-setting edge for the Browns. McGuire is an edge sealer at first, but the Browns need a boost in his pass rush productivity to keep him around. We’ll know more in the first half of 2026 on whether or not McGuire is around in 2027.