Jacoby Brissett, Jordan Elliott among players in focus with Browns opener approaching

BEREA − Training camp is where players can begin to form a narrative. The regular season is where players can prove that narrative to be correct.

There were several Browns players who came into training camp with all eyes on them for various reasons. Some were obvious, others weren't.

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The past month has allowed for some of those players to move out of the spotlight. But as the season opener approaches Sunday at Carolina, some remain and others have come into focus to be key to any success the Browns hope to have this season.

These aren't necessarily the Nick Chubbs or Myles Garretts of the team. These are the players who will need to have strong seasons to complement the stars.

Of course, no list such as this can start anywhere else but at the position that is always under the spotlight, no matter if it's a superstar or journeyman.

Quarterback Jacoby Brissett

This was always going to be No. 1 on the list, just as it was coming into training camp. Jacoby Brissett's not being asked necessarily to go out and carry the weight of the offense completely on his shoulders.

However, during Deshaun Watson's 11-game suspension, Brissett is carrying the weight of expectations. The Browns brought him in part because of his past experiences stepping in during moments like this, such as when Andrew Luck was hurt (2017) or suddenly retired (2019) in Indianapolis.

Brissett didn't completely take over the No. 1 role in camp until after the first preseason game. He didn't play a preseason game snap until the final one more than a week ago.

The Browns are banking on a strong running game and a defense which has high expectations to help bolster Brissett during his time under center. However, they're also banking on a Brissett who can manage the offense, take care of the football and, hopefully, make a few plays in the passing game to help them keep their heads above water during Watson's absence.

Receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones

The Browns' leader a year ago in receiving yards with 597, Donovan Peoples-Jones had a mostly quiet preseason. That's not to be confused with a bad preseason.

Peoples-Jones has been the Browns' biggest hope to emerge as the No. 2 option at wide receiver behind Amari Cooper. That was the case during the offseason program, through training camp and now on the eve of the season.

A year ago, the third-year pro out of Michigan flashed in camp, raising hopes for a big year. Instead, despite a team-high receiving yards total, it was more flashes of potential than a steady, consistent beam for Peoples-Jones.

This year, Peoples-Jones has had a preseason in which he's been on the field virtually every day, put in the work and had moments here or there. In other words, the kind of quiet, workmanlike camp you might hope from a player growing as pro.

The kind of camp the Browns hope is a gateway to a season of major growth for Peoples-Jones.

Left tackle Jedrick Wills

This almost was Ethan Pocic, considering how he was thrust into the starting center spot when Nick Harris went down in the preseason opener. But as important as center is to the Browns' offensive line, there are few spots on either side of the football as marquee a position as left tackle.

For Jedrick Wills, this year is a huge opportunity to take a step forward after taking a couple of steps back during his injury-plagued 2021 season. The Browns' line in the interior three ranges from solid to spectacular, and a healthy Jack Conklin leaves little questions with the right tackle spot.

That leaves Wills. If the preseason was any indication, it's a challenge he's been more than ready to take on, having put together a solid training camp now that he's healthy.

If Wills can now carry that into the regular season, not to belabor the point, it only strengthens what that Browns offensive line can become as a group. What that could be is one of the best lines in the NFL.

Defensive tackle Jordan Elliott

Myles Garrett was asked late in the preseason who he thought was sitting on a potentially big year. The All-Pro defensive end pondered it for a second and said, "Jordan Elliott."

Garrett is only one of the latest to sing the praises of Elliott, a third-year defensive tackle out of Missouri. The product from the Show Me State has taken the "Show me" to heart dating all the way back to the start of the voluntary offseason program.

Coaches and teammates alike have raved about the effort Elliott has put forth on a seemingly daily basis. His defensive line coach, Chris Kiffin, has spoken on multiple occasions about how he's been a different player in all facets of the game.

If that translates to the field, that's a massive thing for the Browns defense. Defensive tackle was seen as arguably the biggest weakness on the defense coming into the preseason, so a big year for Elliott could only mean big things for the Browns.

Cornerback Greg Newsome II

This is the second of two former first-round draft picks by General Manager Andrew Berry on this list. This is also Newsome's second year as a pro.

Newsome flashed his potential during 14 games as a rookie a year ago. Then he came to training camp and seemed poised to be one of the biggest stars of camp.

A hamstring injury suffered the week of the preseason opener, though, threw a bit of a cold water onto that excitement. The injury kept him from participating in practice until Aug. 25, essentially a two-week absence.

Newsome has had some time to ramp things back up. Which means he's had time to be on the field opposite his Pro Bowl counterpart Denzel Ward, who missed the start of camp but has been back and rolling since mid-August.

A step forward this year by Newsome, which seemed like it was coming early in August, make that cornerback tandem one of the best in the league. In the AFC, with the passing games for teams such as the Bengals, Chargers and Bills, that's a big edge.

Contact Chris at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com.

On Twitter: @ceasterlingABJ

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Jacoby Brissett, Jordan Elliott among Cleveland Browns in focus