Breaking down the Cleveland Browns' first 2019 depth chart

CLEVELAND -- With the Cleveland Browns' preseason opener vs. the Washington Redskins scheduled for Thursday, the team has unveiled its first unofficial depth chart.

And it's easy to see that compared to past seasons, the Browns find themselves facing significantly fewer personnel questions at this point in the year.

While it remains to be seen how much Cleveland's starters will play at FirstEnergy Stadium on Thursday, the team's depth chart provides an interesting look into how its roster might look when the regular season kicks off next month. With that in mind, here's a breakdown of the Browns' first depth chart and what it might mean for the team's 2019 campaign:

Quarterback

1. Baker Mayfield
2. Drew Stanton
3. Garrett Gilbert
4. David Blough

For the first time in a long time, the Browns enter the preseason with an established starting quarterback -- or at least one not trying to stave off a first-round pick. But while Baker Mayfield's emergence has eliminated the annual preseason intrigue in who Cleveland's starting signal-caller will be, it will still be interesting to see whether or not Garrett Gilbert can do enough this preseason to surpass Drew Stanton as the team's top understudy.

Running back

1. Nick Chubb
2. Kareem Hunt
3. Dontrell Hilliard
4. D'Ernest Johnson
5. A.J. Ouellette
6. Duke Johnson Jr. [Injured]
7. Trayone Gray [Injured]

As he enters the season facing an eight-game suspension, Kareem Hunt's preseason reps could prove vital. Dontrell Hilliard, meanwhile, will likely receive the bulk of the workload in the Browns' backfield this preseason and is currently positioned to be Nick Chubb's top backup for the first half of the season as Duke Johnson remains sidelined.

Fullback

1. Orson Charles

Not much intrigue here as Orson Charles occupies the role he filled when needed during the 2018 campaign.

Wide receiver

1. Jarvis Landry
2. Rashard Higgins
3. Derrick Willies
4. Dorian Baker
5. Damon Sheehy-Guiseppi

1. Odell Beckham Jr.
2. Antonio Callaway
3. Jaelen Strong
4. Ishmael Hyman
5. D.J. Montgomery
6. Damion Ratley [Injured]

Between Jarvis Landry, Odell Beckham Jr., Antonio Callaway and Rashard Higgins, Cleveland's top-four receivers appear set -- and are as talented as any quartet in the NFL. Derrick Willies, Jaelen Strong and Ishmael Hyman have each enjoyed strong training camps and could provide additional depth should their play carry over from the practice field to the stadium.

Tight end

1. David Njoku
2. Pharaoh Brown
3. Stephen Carlson
4. Mik'Quan Deane
5. Demetrius Harris [Injured]
6. Seth DeValve

With David Njoku established as the team's starter and Demetrius Harris having proven himself a capable backup, the only intrigue at tight end is whether Pharaoh Brown or Seth DeValve will fill out the position. With DeValve currently sidelined, Brown will have the next chance to make a big impression and should see plenty of reps vs. Washington on Thursday.

Left tackle

1. Greg Robinson
2. Brad Seaton

Although Greg Robinson enjoyed a strong 2018 season, left tackle is one of the few spots on Cleveland's roster the team could use an upgrade. How Robinson performs in the weeks to come could determine how willing the Browns will be to make a trade offer for Washington Pro Bowl tackle Trent Williams.

Left guard

1. Joel Bitonio
2. Bryan Witzmann
3. Drew Forbes

Coming off the first Pro Bowl season of his career, the key for Joel Bitonio this preseason will be staying healthy enough to resume his role as the anchor of the Browns offensive line. Bryan Witzmann provides more experienced depth than Cleveland has become accustomed to, while sixth-round pick Drew Forbes' role on the team has yet to truly be determined.

Center

1. JC Tretter
2. Eric Kush
3. John Yarbrough

Like Bitonio, the only objective JC Tretter has this preseason is to stay healthy. An offseason signee, top backup Eric Kush possesses starting experience, but may also be needed elsewhere depending on how Austin Corbett performs at right guard.

Right guard

1. Austin Corbett
2. Kyle Kalis
3. Willie Wright

Speaking of Corbett, the former second-round pick enters the preseason as the Browns' top right guard, although his starting status is far from secure. The Nevada product will need a strong showing in the preseason to remain Cleveland's starter in the season opener vs. the Tennessee Titans with Kush and Kyle Kalis having also received first-team reps throughout the preseason.

Right tackle

1. Chris Hubbard
2. Kendall Lamm
3. Brian Fineanganofo

After an up-and-down 2018, Chris Hubbard returns as Cleveland's starting right tackle with Kendall Lamm serving as his top backup. Following the offseason release of Desmond Harrison, the Browns' tackle depth is undeniably lacking and could result in Forbes being moved to the outside in his rookie year. 

Defensive end

1. Myles Garrett
2. Anthony Zettel
3. Wyatt Ray

1. Olivier Vernon
2. Chris Smith
3. Chad Thomas
4. Jarrell Owens

If there's one starting position group likely to only see limited action in the preseason, it's the defensive line, which has barely practiced on Monday and Tuesday of this week. At defensive end, starters Myles Garrett and Olivier Vernon are each coming off of Pro Bowl seasons, while Anthony Zettel and Chris Smith provide experienced depth.

One player to keep an eye on this preseason is 2018 third-round pick Chad Thomas, whose production in Cleveland has thus far been limited.

Defensive tackle

1. Larry Ogunjobi
2. Carl Davis
3. Daniel Ekuale
4. Tracy Sprinkle

1. Sheldon Richardson
2. Trevon Coley
3. Devaroe Lawrence
4. Brian Price [Injured]

With Larry Ogunjobi coming off a breakout season, former Pro Bowler Sheldon Richardson will help reinforce the middle of the Browns' defense. Carl Davis and Trevon Coley are each experienced and capable backups on what is quietly one of Cleveland's deeper units this season.

WILL linebacker

1. Christian Kirksey
2. Mack Wilson
3. Willie Harvey

After an injury-plagued 2018 campaign, Christian Kirksey will resume his role as the Browns' starting Will linebacker and should also be a fixture in two-linebacker sets. Fifth-round pick Mack Wilson possesses the versatility to also play inside, although his playing time this season will likely come on special teams.

MIKE linebacker

1. Joe Schobert
2. Sione Takitaki
3. Dedrick Young II

Joe Schobert has been a steadying force in the Browns defense for the past two seasons, but could be pushed for playing time by third-round pick Sione Takitaki, whose hard-hitting style could add an element Cleveland's defense has otherwise been missing.

SAM Linebacker

1. Ray-Ray Armstrong
2. Anthony Stubbs
3. Genard Avery [Injured]
4. Adarius Taylor [Injured]

While Genard Avery was presumed to be the Browns' starter at the role formerly occupied by Jamie Collins, his injuries -- as well as Adarius Taylor's -- have opened the door for Ray-Ray Armstrong to start on Thursday. Should Avery and Taylor remain limited at the start of the season, Cleveland could experiment with repositioning either Takitaki or Wilson to a new role.

 Cornerback

1. Denzel Ward
2. T.J. Carrie
3. Lenzy Pipkins
4. Phillip Gaines
5. Jhavonte Dean

1. Terrance Mitchell
2. Greedy Williams
3. Tavierre Thomas
4. Robert Jackson
5. Donnie Lewis Jr.

Although Terrance Mitchell is currently listed as the starter opposite Denzel Ward, it may only be a matter of time until second-round pick Greedy Williams inserts himself in the starting lineup. Nevertheless, all three -- as well as T.J. Carrie -- should see plenty of playing time this season on a unit that lacks depth behind its current top-four.

Safety

1. Damarious Randall
2. Eric Murray
3. Sheldrick Redwine
4. Tigie Sankoh

1. Morgan Burnett
2. Jermaine Whitehead
3. Juston Burris
4. J.T. Hassell

Damarious Randall returns as the Browns' starting free safety following a strong 2018, while Morgan Burnett will look to bounce back from a disappointing season in Pittsburgh. Former Kansas City Chief Eric Murray adds depth and enough versatility to also play nickel, while rookie Sheldrick Redwine is an intriguing player who will likely be limited to special teams action this season.

Kicker

1. Greg Joseph
2. Austin Seibert

Punter

1. Britton Colquitt
2. Jamie Gillan

Perhaps the most interesting -- or worrisome -- position battle in Cleveland this offseason has been at kicker, where neither incumbent Greg Joseph or fifth-round pick Austin Seibert have inspired much enthusiasm. Meanwhile at punter, Britton Colquitt is entrenched as the team's starter, while Jamie "the Scottish Hammer" Gillan could find himself a starter elsewhere should his strong showing in training camp translate to the preseason.