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Browns cut down day: Quick thoughts on final roster moves

Jared Mueller
·4 min read
8

With the Cleveland Browns and the rest of the NFL set to cut down their rosters to their initial 53-man, today is a big day. While the Browns roster will change on Wednesday, we will get some clarity about some of the roster battles we have seen throughout training camp.

As of 10 AM on Tuesday, based on reports we can trust, the Browns have nine moves left to make. One of those moves will be placing Davion Davis on the suspended list for two weeks, leaving eight more moves to make.

Here are some quick thoughts on what is left for Cleveland to do:

  • The team is in discussion for a variety of trades but, with so many moving pieces throughout the NFL at the same time, it can get difficult.

  • While KhaDarel Hodge has been discussed as a possible trade or waiver candidate, Rashard Higgins could also be in jeopardy.

    • Some whispers of a trade of one of those guys for Chase Winovich, reportedly on the New England bubble, continue to make its rounds.

  • Mack Wilson has made the roster unless a trade actually happens. Wilson has looked much better this year and the team needs linebackers.

  • Jacob Phillips will make the initial roster then go on injured reserve.

    • Tony Fields II could join him in that process.

    • A veteran, like Malcolm Smith, could get cut for one day while that process takes place.

  • Malik McDowell has made the roster.

  • The report on Porter Gustin being gone was somewhat surprising. The edge group is thin unless they really think McDowell and Sheldon Day can slide outside some.

  • At least starting out, looks like only four safeties making the roster with M.J. Stewart able to play both corner and safety in a pinch, if he makes the roster.

  • Injuries to Drew Forbes and Michael Dunn create question marks on the offensive line. James Hudson III’s struggles complicate things even more.

  • Greg Senat was placed on injured reserve but could be Chris Hubbard’s replacement as a veteran swing tackle in 2022 while Hudson continues to develop.

  • Really interested in what the team does at fullback. They seemed to be highlighting Johnny Stanton for another team to try to trade for or to test him in case he could replace Andy Janovich and save a few cap dollars.

    • Talk of him as the team’s fourth TE is also interesting but seems less likely.

  • The offense has a lot of talent making decisions there hard while the defense is lacking the extra 3 to 5 players on the backend of the depth charts that they need.

    • This is where trades could help balance the roster.

  • While the Browns compete for a Super Bowl in 2021, there will be a few players that are more long-term plays like Hudson and Demetric Felton.

  • If Hodge is dealt, who are the gunners on special teams? Richard LeCounte III is probably one.

  • If players like Elijah Lee and Sione Takitaki don’t make the roster, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah will likely be a key special teams player.

  • Special teams will have to play some role in decisions today even though a player like Wilson hasn’t played many snaps there, he may need to.

  • The defensive line, as a whole, is concerning to me. A lot riding on Jadeveon Clowney, Takk McKinley, Malik Jackson and McDowell. None have been consistent or consistently healthy recently (or ever for Clowney and McDowell).

  • Expecting two trades to adjust the roster.

  • Expecting two or three moves Wednesday to further change things from the initial 53-man.

Here is my best guess, quickly, of the initial 53-man roster:

QBs: 2

Baker Mayfield
Case Keenum

RBs: 5

Nick Chubb
Kareem Hunt
Demetric Felton
D’ernest Johnson
Andy Janovich (FB)

TEs: 3

Austin Hooper
Harrison Bryant
David Njoku

WRs: 5

Odell Beckham Jr.
Jarvis Landry
KhaDarel Hodge or Rashard Higgins
Anthony Schwartz
Donovan Peoples-Jones

OTs: 4

Jack Conklin
Jedrick Wills
Chris Hubbard
James Hudson

IOL: 5

Joel Bitonio
JC Tretter
Wyatt Teller
Nick Harris
Michael Dunn

Defense

DT: 6

Andrew Billings
Tommy Togiai
Jordan Elliott
Malik Jackson
Malk McDowell
Sheldon Day

DE: 5

Myles Garrett
Takk McKinley
Jadeveon Clowney
Joe Jackson
Player Higgins or Hodge traded for

LBs: 5

Anthony Walker
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
Mack Wilson
Jacob Phillips
Tony Fields II

CBs: 6

Denzel Ward
Greedy Williams
Troy Hill
Greg Newsome
MJ Stewart
AJ Green

Safeties: 4

Grant Delpit
John Johnson
Ronnie Harrison
Richard LeCounte

Specialists: 3

Charley Hughlett
Jamie Gillan
Cody Parkey