Tag: Deshaun Watson

Two Browns players find themselves on PFF’s most to prove in 2024 list

Do you agree these players belong on this list?

There are some lofty expectations for the Cleveland Browns after they won 11 games and made the playoffs in 2023. The roster, top to bottom, is one of the best in the league, with talent everywhere you look on both sides of the ball. One publication wonders, however, if quarterback Deshaun Watson and left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. can rise to the occasion.

However, the team will need to answer some questions and fill some key positions to reach its ultimate goal. PFF recently posted a list asking which player has the most to prove in 2024, and Watson and Wills Jr. were on that list.

Those two being on that list make a ton of sense to me, and Watson could benefit a lot from Wills becoming the player the team thought he would be when he was drafted 10th overall.

Talking about the need for Watson to return to form is exhausting at this point, but that doesn’t make it any less true. If the Browns are to reach their ultimate goal of making a Super Bowl run, these two players definitely need to step up.

Browns are ‘pleased’ with Deshaun Watson’s rehab progress

The team feels great about his progress

Just as Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson seemed to be finding his footing last year, his season came to a crashing end with season-ending shoulder surgery in November. Since then, the Cleveland Browns have been cautious with his rehab, following some strict guidelines, and during offseason workouts, not having him throw in consecutive practices.

According to Browns’ insider and Cleveland dot com’s Mary Kay Cabot, the team couldn’t be happier with what they have seen:

Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson takes another step forward on Tuesday

Another step towards a week one return

The Cleveland Browns started their mandatory minicamp practices on Tuesday, and their quarterback took another step toward his return. So far this off-season, Deshaun Watson has done some light throwing but hasn’t participated in any team 7-on-7 periods as part of his rehab.

On Tuesday, however, he participated in that period and looked healthy with no noticeable issues, throwing with more velocity than the past couple of weeks. There is still a long way to go between non-padded practices in June and games in the fall, but seeing Watson taking more steps forward and not suffering setbacks is exactly what we need to see.

Cleveland has a lot riding on this season, and Watson’s return to form and being at least serviceable is necessary to take things to the next level in the postseason. Mandatory minicamp continues Wednesday and Thursday, and Amari Cooper has held out so far, likely looking for a new contract.

Browns OC Ken Dorsey believes Deshaun Watson progresses every day

Watson is doing more each day as he rehabs his shoulder

The biggest talking point for the Cleveland Browns at the sixth OTA practice on Thursday was quarterback Deshaun Watson’s health as he continues ramping up after shoulder surgery. New offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey commented on Thursday that every day he sees a new throw from Watson that he hasn’t seen before, a sign that he is getting healthier each day and trending in the right direction.

Fans got a better look at Watson on Thursday as he threw in front of the media for the first time since OTAs began. Like before, it doesn’t look like his throwing motion looks normal, and he doesn’t seem to have any limitations outside of slowly ramping him up and taking every other day off.

There is still a long way to go before training camp, but he seems on track to be ready when the season kicks off in September. As of Friday, there are just 100 days between you and the return of Browns football.

New Orleans Saints game previews: Week 11 vs. Cleveland Browns

New Orleans Saints game previews: Week 11 sends the Saints into their bye week after hosting the Cleveland Browns

It’s been a while since the Cleveland Browns visited the New Orleans Saints at the Caesars Superdome. Of the 46 Saints players who were active for that last meeting in 2018, only seven remain on the roster in 2024.

And this game is all that stands between the Saints and a much-needed breather during their Week 12 bye. But there’s the catch — the Browns will be well-rested for this game, having enjoyed their own bye week before making the trip down to New Orleans.

The Saints have won each of their last two games against the Browns, including the 2018 matchup we mentioned earlier and a snowbound 2022 game in Cleveland. Will they make it three in a row? The Browns own a 13-6 lead against the Saints since their first meeting in 1967, and they won five of their last six games with New Orleans before that 2018 defeat, so the Saints can’t let some recent success go to their head.

This might be the year Deshaun Watson finishes knocking off the rust. The Browns won a bidding war with the Saints for Watson’s services back in 2022, Dennis Allen’s first year as head coach, but he hasn’t found much success. He’s missed time with injuries and a suspension and wasn’t available for their loss to the Houston Texans in January’s playoffs, so he has a lot to prove. This midseason game could be a real now-or-never moment with the playoff fields taking shape.

But that’s also true for Allen and the Saints, who haven’t reached the postseason either. Going into the bye week with a win would mean a lot to a Saints team many outside observers are already writing off for 2024.

  • Game information: New Orleans Saints vs. Cleveland Browns
  • Location: Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, La.
  • Date: Nov. 17
  • Time: Noon. CT / 1 p.m. ET
  • TV Channel: FOX

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will throw in front of the media Thursday

Watson will throw in front of the media for the first time since surgery

For the first time since having shoulder surgery in November, Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will throw in front of the media during Thursday’s OTA practice. Watson threw last week and on Tuesday, but practices were not open to the media, so the team has limited and controlled the video fans have seen.

From everything the team has posted so far, Watson doesn’t seem limited or uncomfortable making throws in practice. Getting more eyes on practice will paint a bigger picture, and though practices in May don’t mean much, it will be nice to have more information about how the franchise quarterback is looking.

It has already been said a million times, but the Browns need Watson to play a lot better in 2024 if they are to advance further in the playoffs and potentially win a Super Bowl. OTAs will continue on Wednesday before the practice that is open to the public on Thursday.

Browns move on from Deshaun Watson in new 2-round 2025 NFL mock draft

A new mock draft has the Browns looking for a new quarterback…

For the first time in three years, the Cleveland Browns will have a first round pick. And in a new 2-round 2025 NFL mock draft, the Browns use that pick to replace Deshaun Watson (the player they used their previous three first rounders to acquire) for Georgia quarterback Carson Beck.

Draft Wire’s Curt Popejoy mocked Beck to the Browns at the midway point of the first round. There is no doubt that Watson enters a make-or-break year, but the Browns will realistically have to ride it out at least one more season with him to avoid a crippling cap hit to move on.

In his first season as the starting quarterback at the University of Georgia, Beck racked up nearly 4,000 yards passing, 24 passing touchdowns, and just six interceptions. Returning to school, Beck has the current claim as the best quarterback in the 2025 NFL draft class at this point.

Popejoy then had the Browns taking Iowa safety Zavier Nwankpa in the second round. Nwankpa is coming off of a campaign with two passes defended, an interception, and two tackles for loss for the Hawkeyes.

We are a long way out from the 2025 NFL draft, but it is at least nice to have a first round pick again.

Browns HC Kevin Stefanski says Deshaun Watson ‘looks like himself throwing

Watson’s rehab is going well according to Stefanski

With OTAs kicking off this week for the Cleveland Browns, fans got some good news when quarterback Deshaun Watson took the field on Tuesday. From the videos the team released of Tuesday’s practice, Watson looked to be throwing normally without any restrictions or issues with his throwing motion. He even got some praise from head coach Kevin Stefanski.

Stefanski spoke with the media after the team’s Wednesday practice and talked about Watson’s recovery and plan for the future.

“He looked like himself to me. I’ve been able to watch him the last couple of weeks in Phase Two, so I’ve seen him throw. He’s making great progress. We will continue to just follow the medical team on this, but he looked like himself.”

Watson’s recovery from November shoulder surgery will continue to be the biggest storyline until the regular season begins. But for now, everything seems to be on track for training camp and, eventually, the 2024 regular season.

Deshaun Watson returns to the field and throws in Browns first OTA practice

Watson was on the field throwing on Tuesday

Cleveland Browns fans have been wondering for months about quarterback Deshaun Watson’s recovery from shoulder surgery in November. Though there are still more questions that won’t be answered for a while, Watson seems to be on schedule as he took the field to kick off OTAs on Tuesday.

In the limited video we saw of Watson, there didn’t seem to be any issues with his throwing motion, and everything looked normal from that point of view. As part of his rehab, Watson will not throw in the practice that is open to the media on Wednesday, but the fact that he is back throwing is a positive sign and a step in the right direction.

You can’t learn much from May practices, but with such a unique injury, seeing the videos that were posted is all you can hope for. OTAs continue on Wednesday and Thursday in Berea as the Browns start to lay the foundation for the 2024 season.

Browns Insider gives update on Deshaun Watson’s recovery

The Browns quarterback is on track in his recovery

The biggest question and cloud hanging over the Cleveland Browns this offseason is the health of quarterback Deshaun Watson. The 2023 season ended early for Watson, who had surgery on his throwing shoulder in November.

Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot provided an update on Watson with voluntary minicamp workouts kicking off on Tuesday.

“Watson is throwing with his normal velocity and range coming off the fractured socket and partially torn labrum, and everyone is optimistic about his on-schedule recovery. The encouraging thing for the Browns and for Watson is that he feels great and the ball is coming out well. The bottom line is that he’s still 100% on track to start the season Sept. 8 against the Cowboys.”

It’s great to hear that Watson is throwing with velocity and that there haven’t been any setbacks in his recovery so far. This Browns roster is loaded and one of the best in the NFL, and they need Watson to have his best season in Cleveland if they want to take another step toward a championship.