As we are officially in Week 1 of the NFL regular season, the Cleveland Browns announced their first unofficial depth chart on Tuesday. While that likely gives us a few clues, we won’t know any exact answer until the injury report comes out on Wednesday. As the Browns prepare for the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1, here are two takeaways from the depth chart release.
Browns’ Week 1 depth chart pic.twitter.com/FY5vS3HDfE
— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) September 2, 2025
One, young talent will rule the middle of the field defense. It’s no shock that rookies Mason Graham and Carson Schwesinger will be the starting defensive tackle and middle linebacker combo, but paired with safety Ronnie Hickman, there isn’t a ton of experience. Obviously zero for Graham and Schwesinger, and only two years of experience for Hickman, but limited action as he only totaled 43 tackles over the last two years. There are limited red flags with this trio, but there will certainly be learning curves as all three will be NFL starters for the first time in their careers.
#Browns C Ethan Pocic returned to practice today, working his way back from a knee injury. pic.twitter.com/uM65WoxLNP
— Camryn Justice (@camijustice) September 1, 2025
Two, there is a good chance we will see Ethan Pocic and Greg Newsome, but Mike Hall Jr. appears to be at risk of missing the game. In the depth chart, Hall is the only player listed in brackets, which means injured. Pocic and Newsome have both returned to practice, but with limited media action, we are only getting Kevin Stefnaskies’ updates, which have been limited. The biggest question mark at this point is Mohamoud Diabte, who has been limited in practice but saw zero action in the preseason.
The Browns have been counted out by many thus far, and if they want any chance of turning 2025 into a positive season, winning a divisional game at home vs. the Bengals in Week 1 will be imperative.
