Mayfield knows he has to wait his turn behind Taylor. (John Kuntz, cleveland.com)

Now that the draft is over and the Browns have some new players, questions abound about the 2018 class and what impact it will have on this season.

When will No. 1 pick Baker Mayfield crack the starting lineup? Will No. 4 pick Denzel Ward be ready to go for OTAs after straining a hip flexor in rookie minicamp?

Can fourth-round pick Antonio Callaway stay on the straight and narrow? And if so, can he give Corey Coleman a run for his money?

We answer your questions here in this week's edition of Hey, Mary Kay!



By Mary Kay Cabot, cleveland.com

Twitter: @marykaycabot

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1. When will Baker Mayfield beat out Tyrod Taylor?

Hey, Mary Kay: When will Baker Mayfield crack the starting lineup? — Kevin Young, Seattle, Washington.

Hey, Kevin: I really believe that Hue Jackson is committed to starting Tyrod Taylor and keeping Mayfield on the bench as long as possible. Taylor snapped the Bills' 17-year playoff drought last year and has a 22-20 record as a starter. He's played a lot of football, and the Browns need to win this season.

They have the fifth-hardest schedule in the NFL, and it’s extremely tough right out of the gate with the Steelers and Saints, who both won their divisions and combined for a 24-8 record. The Browns don’t want a rookie cutting his teeth against future Hall of Famers Ben Roethlisberger and Drew Brees. I think Mayfield will look excellent in training camp, and the temptation will be there, but rookie-weary Jackson will practice self-restraint and start Taylor, as promised.

I could see Mayfield playing down the stretch if the Browns are out of it to give him some valuable experience. But if Taylor is playing well, he’ll be the man for as long as possible.

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2. Is Ward at risk for OTAs and minicamp?

Hey, Mary Kay: Will Denzel Ward be full-go for OTAs and minicamp? — Ben Jones, Macon, Ga.

Hey, Ben: Yes, Ward will be ready to go when he joins the veterans in OTAs later this month. He strained his hip flexor on the first day of rookie camp, and sat out the final two days, but only as a precaution. He would've practiced — and wanted to — if the Browns allowed. But Ward is slated to be the shutdown corner this season, and Jackson isn't taking any chances.

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3. Will Antonio Callaway beat out Corey Coleman?

Hey Mary Kay: If Antonio Callaway proves he can stay out of trouble and become a viable No. 3 receiver, does that mean that Corey Coleman's time is done? What harm could come of making Coleman the No. 4 receiver? I personally think that the jury is still out on whether or not he can be a productive wideout. — Brooks Posta, Cincinnati

Hey, Brandon: I do think that Callaway has a chance to steal some of Coleman's playing time. He starts out his career in Stage One of the NFL's Substance Abuse Policy, which means he has very little margin for error. But if he lives up to his promise not to let Browns GM John Dorsey down, he has a chance to make an impact this season.

Callaway has good speed, route-running ability and hands. He was suspended at Florida for all of 2017, but has the talent to surpass Coleman on the depth chart. I think players such as Jarvis Landry will take him under their wing. Pittsburgh’s Antonio Brown already has. Coleman’s first two seasons have been disrupted by broken hands, but he has to step it up this season. If someone makes the Browns a decent offer, I believe they'd trade him.

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4. Will Callaway and Damion Ratley have all the WRs on edge?

Hey, Mary Kay: My observation of the drafting of Antonio Callaway and Damion Ratley is a message to Coleman to step it up or step aside. The wide receiver competition just got stiffer and speedier. With Ricardo Louis and Rashard Higgins playing some last year, I suspect one of those two will be let go if not traded. Your thoughts? — Chazz Brown, Chambersburg, Pa.

Hey, Chazz: I do think the drafting of Callaway puts Coleman on high alert and the drafting of Ratley in the sixth round means Louis and Higgins will have to impress the new staff in offseason workouts. Coleman, Louis and Higgins were all part of Sashi Brown's first draft, and new GM John Dorsey has already made it clear he wasn't impressed with many of the players he inherited. Plenty are already gone, and more will follow.

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5. Are the Browns teaching Austin Corbett too many positions?

Hey, Mary Kay: Right away, the Browns are teaching Austin Corbett three positions - left tackle, guard and center. While we certainly have needs, the young man is coming from college where most lineman squat at the line of scrimmage, look over to the sideline for their cue, and prepare to run block. Changing positions in college is much easier in college.

I don't believe that the Browns should be overwhelming Corbett by introducing him to every position on the offensive line right off the bat. — Ken Leib, West Chester

Hey, Ken: I think the Browns will begin giving Corbett reps at left tackle to see if he can handle it out there. If it's too much, he'll move him inside to left guard and Joel Bitonio could slide to left tackle, where he started four seasons at Nevada. If Corbett is one of the five best linemen, Hue Jackson will find a spot for him.

Judging from the way they talk about him and from his second-round status, I believe he'll start this season, if not right away then soon after. It means Shon Coleman, who’s getting the first crack to replace Joe Thomas, will have to be on point all camp. I don’t think the Browns will give Corbett any more than he can handle.

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John Dorsey could make changes in his personnel staff now that the draft is over. (Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com)

6. Will John Dorsey make changes in his personnel staff?

Hey, Mary Kay: Now that the draft is over, do the Browns plan to keep Andrew Berry and his previous regime of scouts? Also, with Alonzo Highsmith, Eliot Wolf, etc. on board, how will their responsibilities be divvied up? David Kight, Atlanta, Ga.

Hey, David: Browns GM John Dorsey indicated last week that he would re-evaluate the personnel staff after the draft. Not sure exactly what he'll do, but there are currently three Vice Presidents of Player Personnel in Highsmith, Berry and Ken Kovash. Scot McCloughan, who was brought in as a draft consultant in February, could be hired on a permanent basis. Dorsey will likely bring in some of his own scouts.