Much of the Browns’ success on offense in 2023 will be dictated by Deshaun Watson‘s ability to rebound from a suspension-shortened debut season with the team last year. Cleveland will likely have a pair of signal-callers backing him up this campaign. 
The Browns have Watson on the books through 2026 after going all-in on him via a huge trade with the Texans and subsequent fully-guranteed contract (which, having been restructured, will represent a major cap burden starting next year). The three-time Pro Bowler put up less-than-impressive numbers during his six games in 2022, which marked his first regular season action since 2020. After a full offseason in Cleveland, one which has included upgrades to the team’s receiving corps, expectations will be raised significantly for Watson.
His backup will be veteran Joshua Dobbs, who was in Cleveland in 2022 to serve as Jacoby Brissett‘s backup until Watson’s suspension had been served. Dobbs signed with the Titans late in the year, and he started Tennessee’s final two contests while the team dealt with the absence of Ryan Tannehill. Cleveland lost Brissett in free agency, but brought back Dobbs to resume his QB2 duties.
The Browns added a long-term backup option in the form of Dorian Thompson-Robinson by selecting him in the fifth round of this year’s draft. The presence of the UCLA product leaves Cleveland likely to keep three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster this year, per Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal. The NFL’s move to allow emergency QBs to dress despite not counting as a gameday activation has left teams with interesting roster decisions to make.
As Easterling notes, the Browns view Thompson-Robinson as their Watson understudy for the foreseeable future, though Dobbs has seen second-team work in spring practices. Thompson-Robinson had a career-year in 2022, which helped make him one of several developmental passers selected on Day 3 as teams looked to emulate the success the 49ers found with Brock Purdy in 2022. Given his experience in Cleveland in particular and the NFL in general, though, Dobbs represents a logical candidate for the backup position at this point.
With a top three at the QB depth chart seemingly settled, Easterling adds that the Browns are unlikely to retain Kellen Mond. The former Viking was claimed off waivers last August and he remained on Cleveland’s roster throughout the year. After the other moves made at the position this year, however, he is likely to find himself on the outside looking in come roster cutdowns at the end of the summer.
The browns and that piece of garbage deserve each other. If only there was a way to make the browns pay his contract to abuse victim funds and force Watson to play without pay.
The Browns are the epitome of losers. Death, Taxes, and the Browns being underwhelming.
Thinking of taking a chance on Watson this year as my fantasy qb this year. Tough decision.
If the top 4-5 QBs are gone he’s a good flyer. Good line, good weapons and a head coach who’s coaching for his life. Either Watson performs or there will be a massive overhaul.
I think he’ll be there in rounds 10-13 or however many rounds we wind up with this year. Someone always over drafts Mahomes Jackson Hurts so I’m expecting 4-5 to be gone by round 5. Rather add Watson later and grab depth to hoard.
Not me. It’s fantasy football. In reality, Watson is a POS.
That’s cool. I’m more focused on beating my buddies than deshaun watsons personal life at this point.
I can’t prove anything and neither can you
Why would they roster a 5th round pick. Practice squad exists for a reason. Even more so with the new qb rules
Gadget plays. Think he has some speed. So he could see some Taysum Hills type packages. Catch some passes or run a double reserve pass. Something tricky.
Once he’s on a practice squad, any team can sign him to their roster. If you’re trying to develop a player you have to keep him on your roster to avoid being snatched up.
Noone is snatching a 5th round pick
It happens all the time
Not a great QB depth chart but at least the Browns aren’t asking DeShone Kizer to return.
Three QBs, but also 10000 NDAs for QB1 to hand out like candy on Halloween for his future victims. Congrats!
You’ll likely win then as anybody would dignity wouldn’t want anything to do with such a fine human being.
Apparently you don’t play fantasy football. Zeke, Adrian Peterson, Michael Vick, Tyreke Hill, Antonio Brown, Roethlisberger were all high picks. Nobody cares about what players do off the field.