Rookies report to training camp on Monday, with veterans following on Tuesday. Once everyone is at The Greenbrier in West Virginia, practices begin on Wednesday, July 24.

For returning players, the next few weeks will be about shaking off the rust and getting back to work. For some new faces, this is their chance to impress and earn a spot on the 53-man roster.

That said, here are four outsider candidates who could secure a spot

Ahmarean Brown, Wide Receiver/Returner

Ahmarean Brown had a promising start to his collegiate career, rushing for 396 yards and seven touchdowns on 21 receptions for Georgia Tech. He then regressed, and after two years with the Yellow Jackets and three at South Carolina, he had 1,136 yards and nine touchdowns on 92 catches.

He’s still an intriguing prospect who said in an interview with Noah Weiskopf of The OBR that he ran a 4.28 in the 40-yard dash while preparing for his pro day. He officially ran a 4.31, which disappointed him.

The speedster knows it takes more than that to make this team — and understands that being 5-foot-9 and 165 pounds won’t help him — so he’s eager to get started and try his luck as a returner.

“A man of my size has to be able to do more than one thing to stay on the field,” Brown told Noah Weiskopf of The OBR“I’m here for the team, I’m here to help us in any way I can and I’m definitely looking forward to getting back.”

Brown didn’t return the ball much during his NCAA tenure, but if he can be a weapon on special teams, he might just be able to make the team tick.

Zaire Mitchell-Paden, Tight End

David Njoku and Jordan Akins own the top two spots at tight end. The feeling heading into camp is that free agent acquisition Giovanni Ricci has already locked up the third spot and his versatility to play fullback will help him. Still, Zaire Mitchell-Paden remains on the list and if he can put it all together, he could be a weapon.

A product of Florida Atlantic — after spending four years at Notre Dame College in South Euclid, Ohio — Mitchell-Paden enters his third season with the franchise. He has yet to take the field in a regular-season game, but the 6-foot-5, 257-pounder has the makings of a matchup nightmare.

Mitchell-Paden showed promise last year with 91 yards on nine receptions during preseason, and if he continues to develop his game, he has a chance to make the roster.

Brian Allen, Middle

Luke Wypler played well in his rookie season, and the former Ohio State center should have a long NFL career. He’s likely a sure thing to make the team, but Brian Allen probably shouldn’t be too quick to write off — especially after Wypler proved he can play guard.

Allen spent the past six seasons with the LA Rams and was the starting center when they won the Super Bowl following the 2021 campaign. He played well enough to earn a three-year, $24 million extension ahead of the 2022 season, but injuries cost him his job.

Allen, who was released this offseason, joins the Browns and gives them an experienced backup. They’ll need him to stay healthy, but if he can, this could be another low-risk/high-reward signing that pays off for general manager Andrew Berry.

Javion Cohen, guard

Cleveland has a top-notch interior offensive line in Joel Bitonio, Wyatt Teller and Ethan Pocic. Their bench improved greatly this offseason when they drafted Zak Zinter in Round 3 of the NFL Draft and signed Brian Allen in free agency. Add Michael Dunn and Luke Wypler and the Browns could put together a starting unit they feel comfortable with.

Therefore, it will be difficult for Javion Cohen to make the 53-man selection, but it could still happen.

Cohen finished his college career at Miami after spending three years at Alabama. Known as a mauler in the run game, the Browns had their eye on him throughout the draft process and were willing to give him $200,000 in guaranteed money to sign him. If he continues to impress them, he could be on the 53-man roster when the Browns host Dallas in Week 1.

Myles Harden, cornerback

The cornerback position is crowded in Cleveland, but Myles Harden could still carve out a role for the Browns. Selected with the No. 227 overall pick, the seventh-round pick out of South Dakota has received plenty of praise since he was drafted.

He hasn’t played against elite competition, but he’s a promising prospect. His former college coach says he’s a soft-spoken player, but he plays without fear. At 5-foot-11 and 198 pounds, he has the makings of a slot corner, but he’s played primarily on the perimeter.

His ticket to the roster will be through special teams. If he proves he can be a weapon for Bubba Ventrone, that might be enough to make the roster. If not, the Browns would like to keep him on the practice squad.

The problem is that Harden may be too talented to qualify for waivers.

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