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Browns training camp 2024: Jerry Jeudy, Juan Thornhill among 4 players to watch
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- Browns training camp 2024: Jerry Jeudy, Juan Thornhill among 4 players to watch
BEREA — Rookies report to the Browns headquarters on Monday morning for the start of training camp. The veterans check in the next day.
After that, the Browns will spend one more day in their own facility before departing Thursday for The Greenbrier . They'll hold their first training camp practice that afternoon in West Virginia, where they'll hold seven practices over nine days.
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Over the course of training camp, which will run through Aug. 22, there will be a number of players who fall under the microscope for one reason or the other. What follows takes a look at four of those players.
Jerry Jeudy , wide receiver
Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy is tackled by Washington Commanders cornerback Kendall Fuller in the second quarter, Sept. 17, 2023, in Denver.
Jeudy was going to be in this spot from the moment he was acquired in a March trade with the Denver Broncos . The uncertainty that surrounds Amari Cooper 's contract dispute only brightens the spotlight on the former 2020 first-round draft pick. There's also the fact he is coming off a minor knee injury that held him out of minicamp in June. The Browns , as they showed with the three-year extension they gave him, believe Jeudy's not just going to be a big piece of the passing game this season, but for the next few seasons. Proving that it was just a matter of changing scenery starts with Jeudy having a strong camp.
Browns offensive tackle Dawand Jones pass blocks against the Steelers during the third quarter, Sept. 18, 2023, in Pittsburgh.
Dawand Jones , offensive tackle
Jones is back on the list after having been one of those players going into last year's training camp. The difference, though, is massive, much like the player himself. A year ago, Jones was a curiosity; this year, he's a player who showed he's capable of playing tackle in the NFL at a high level. This camp, however, is a chance for the former Ohio State Buckeye to show how much he learned from last year. Jones also wants to show how much his health has improved since the season-ending knee injury he suffered two days before last December's Week 15 win over the Chicago Bears . He was a full participant in minicamp, boosting the expectations for his second season. There's a world where Jones eventually replaces Jack Conklin to become the full-time right tackle if performance — or another Conklin injury — creates such an opportunity.
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Quinton Jefferson , defensive tackle
Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson pressures Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson during a playoff game in 2021.
Jefferson's signing may have gone under the radar for some. It came in the early stages of free agency, but during a flurry of the Browns re-signing several of their own defensive linemen. However, the 31-year-old who is entering his ninth season could be just the kind of addition the defense needs, an interior lineman who is capable of getting to the quarterback. Jefferson has recorded 16 of his 26.5 career sacks in the last three seasons, including a career-high six sacks last season with the New York Jets . Lining him up alongside fellow defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson , the Browns should be able to provide push up the middle to complement Myles Garrett and the other edge rushers, which could unlock a whole new level to the defense.
Juan Thornhill , safety
Browns safety Juan Thornhill walks the sideline during minicamp, Thursday, June 13, 2024, in Berea.
Thornhill was one of the big acquisitions a year ago, signing after four seasons and two Super Bowl wins with the Kansas City Chiefs . His first season with the Browns was more defined by injury than it was anything he did on the field, as calf injuries limited him to just 11 games in the regular season. The Browns didn't let it become a major issue thanks to not just big seasons — before their own injuries — from Grant Delpit and Rodney McLeod , but also the emergence of rookie Ronnie Hickman . Thornhill was active and vocal during minicamp, but the spotlight will be on him throughout training camp to get back to making the plays the Browns expected him to make when they signed him.
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Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Browns players to watch in training camp in 2024
