Shedeur Sanders takes 11-on-11 reps, while defense made plays in team periods

Kelsey Russo

The Browns are in their second week of organized team activities (OTAs), which they will wrap up this week ahead of mandatory minicamp set for June 10-12.

Here are the main observations from Day 5 of OTAs.

Quarterback Work

The Browns continued their approach of running a two spot during certain periods, which are two sets of drills happening simultaneously to get reps for all four quarterbacks. They utilized this approach in 7-on-7, 11-on-11 and modified 7-on-7 periods, with QBJoe Flaccoand QBKenny Pickettworking on one field, and QBDillon Gabrieland QBShedeur Sanderson the other.

Pickett took several of the first reps in an early 11-on-11 period, in which he connected with RB Pierre Strong Jr. on a short pass. He threw another pass to RBQuinshon Judkins, who weaved his way through the defense for a solid run. During Flacco's reps, he handed the ball off to Judkins who took off downfield. He connected with RBAhmani Marshalland WRKaden Davison two other passes, as well as a long pass downfield to WRCade McDonaldwho caught the ball in the end zone.

In another 11-on-11 period, Gabriel took the first reps with the offense. He completed a short pass to TEHarold Fannin Jr.for the completion, and another to RBJerome Ford. Sanders then took his turn and completed a pass down the sideline to WRGage Larvadain, and another pass to Davis, who caught the ball in the end zone but stepped out of bounds.

In a red zone period, Pickett connected with WRJerry Jeudyon a pass in the end zone for a touchdown, and Flacco connected with RBDylan Sampsonon a short pass who found his way into the end zone for the touchdown. In the other set of red zone drills, both Gabriel and Sanders connected with McDonald on passes in their individual reps.

In an early portion of practice, the offense broke into two groups. One group worked with the quarterbacks and receivers on a scramble drill, while the other group ran through an offensive-only drill with the offensive line. Pickett and Flacco started the period on the scramble drills, while Gabriel and Sanders worked in the offensive drills, before the quarterbacks switched groups.

Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees said the rotation of the quarterbacks continues to stay fluid during OTAs, as they work to evaluate and get reps for all four quarterbacks.

"These days we have probably the most reps to go around, so we're able to balance them out," Rees said. "But all those guys have done a nice job coming to work and understanding that each day is going to be a little bit different rotationally. And it's an evaluation process for us still, so we're just working through those as the days come."

Defensive Presence

During individual periods, as the defensive line worked through different techniques to get off blocks, DTMason Grahamreceived instruction from defensive line coach Jacques Cesaire.

Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz sees the potential Graham has in penetration and noted how Graham must adjust from the style of play in his collegiate career to how the Browns play in an attack-style defense.

"We're a penetrating team that makes a big emphasis on defensive linemen being able to make the plays," Schwartz said. "So, there has been some growing pains. He's pretty far ahead right now. When we get pads on, that'll be the next step. And then when you go live contact, that'll be a next step. So, it'll be a process for him. I do think there's a lot of meat on the bone as far as his production, and we can see better production from him than even we saw, and he had outstanding production in college. But I think there's some meat on the bone that he can even have a chance to make more plays here."

The defense also made several plays throughout 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills. While they were flying around the field during those drills at all three levels of the defense, both DEOgbo Okoronkwoand DEJulian Okwaraeach had reps where they would have recorded a sack in live contact. During a red zone period, Pickett had two passes almost picked off, the first by LBDevin Bushand another by DEIsaiah McGuirein the end zone who each got their hands on the ball.