CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Shedeur Mania hits the field and the national stage Friday night, as Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders starts against the Carolina Panthers in the preseason opener for both teams.

The Browns have injuries at quarterback, and despite Joe Flacco taking nearly all the snaps with the No. 1 offense over the past two weeks of training camp, there is no final answer.

Sanders hasn’t taken any reps with the starters. Friday’s start will come alongside an evolving group of backups and fellow rookies, as the Browns plan to sit most of their first string. As is almost always the case, the first preseason game is about competition down the depth chart and, in some cases, offers the most extensive playing time for rookies and roster long shots at this point in the summer.

So, who’s worth watching besides Sanders? Where will Sanders go with the ball? Which players have steadily earned more reps in camp while the focus remains on a quarterback situation that, outside Flacco, has been different almost every day for the past week? Let’s explore.

Rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. will play Friday and might catch a couple passes, but he won’t be on the list because he’s already close to becoming a regular in the Browns’ offense. This list, though not fully inclusive, highlights players looking to further insert themselves into discussions about the team’s plans and regular-season roster, which must be trimmed from 90 to 53 players by Aug. 26 at 4 p.m. ET.

Luke Floriea and Gage Larvadain, WRs

These two undersized, undrafted rookies share a somewhat similar style and both have been active in camp. Floriea has been the most targeted player in practices — and he’s caught nearly all of them — while Larvadain impressed in the second week with several highlight-reel catches. Both have developed a rapport with Sanders, so expect them to be part of the game plan Friday.

Nothing is settled in the Browns’ receiving corps beyond the top two, so the next few weeks are crucial for several players fighting to have NFL futures — and for the Browns’ personnel department, which may need to explore outside pass-catching options. Expect Floriea and Kaden Davis to get opportunities as kickoff returners in the preseason opener.

Chigozie Anusiem, CB

The Browns signed Anusiem off of Washington’s practice squad last November, and with a spate of injuries at cornerback early in camp, he has gone from a special teams hopeful to having a real chance of making the roster. Martin Emerson is out for the year, and Greg Newsome II is having a strong camp but injured his shoulder while breaking up a pass last week. Newsome wouldn’t be playing in the preseason opener anyway, but his injury bumped Anusiem to outside cornerback with the No. 1 defense in pass-down packages in Wednesday’s joint practice.

That’s a strong sign that Anusiem is going to play at least half of Friday’s game and get to challenge himself against almost all of Carolina’s top receivers. Recent third-day draft picks Cameron Mitchell and Myles Harden are slot cornerback candidates and near locks to make the roster, but much remains unsettled.

Ahmani Marshall, RB

Marshall signed with the Browns after April’s draft despite Cleveland selecting two running backs. Though the ongoing absence of second-round pick Quinshon Judkins remains a big issue for a lackluster offense, Marshall now has a chance to play a significant amount of snaps in a game environment.

The preseason opener is a big stage for fourth-round rookie running back Dylan Sampson, too, but we know he’s going to be on the roster — and probably in the rotation. The Browns need a bigger running back and a developmental runner for their practice squad, and the 225-pound Marshall is the August beneficiary of Judkins’ absence.

Ahmani Marshall’s opportunities have increased with second-round rookie Quinshon Judkins not participating at training camp. (Jason Miller / Getty Images)Lorenzo Thompson, OL

An undrafted rookie in 2024 who spent the season on the practice squad, Thompson has played tackle with the No. 3 offense and guard with the No. 2 and No. 3 units. He’s probably not going to make the initial 53-man roster, but his versatility could help him again secure a spot on the practice squad and potentially be a part of the team’s long-term thinking.

The Browns’ four best and most experienced offensive linemen are under contract only for 2025, so the team establishing a pipeline is important. Especially with 2024 third-round pick Zak Zinter out with an undisclosed injury, Thompson and guard Javion Cohen have big opportunities ahead.

Chris Edmonds, S

Edmonds ran with the No. 1 defense early in camp when the Browns’ top safety, Grant Delpit, was a limited participant. Edmonds has seen his practice snaps cut over the past week, but this preseason environment is made for a player in his situation. He’ll play at least two quarters on defense and on many of the top special teams units. The 2024 undrafted rookie will be auditioning for the Browns and the rest of the league.

Rayshawn Jenkins has emerged as the Browns’ No. 3 safety for now, but considering he and Damontae Kazee are over 30, the preseason games should provide an opportunity for younger players.

Adin Huntington, DL

The Browns’ official website lists Huntington as an edge player, but the unofficial depth chart lists the undrafted rookie where he’s played in training camp: defensive tackle with the No. 3 defense. The defensive tackle group is set at the top of the depth chart but completely unsettled elsewhere, and both Huntington and second-year player Jowon Briggs figure to get extensive action in the first two preseason games.

Briggs played well late last season and is closer to winning a roster spot than Huntington, but the preseason environment is crucial for all of the team’s backup defensive linemen to make splash plays and earn more opportunities.

(Top photo of Luke Floriea: Jeff Lange / USA Today via Imagn Images)