Browns: A Post-2023 NFL draft 53-man roster prediction
It has been a productive offseason for the Cleveland Browns, from coaching changes to a productive free agency period and capped off with a good 2023 NFL draft class. General Manager Andrew Berry truly drafted the best player available this weekend overall maximizing potential and talent with the draft position.
The NFL will officially announce the 2023 schedule in the next couple of weeks as mini camps and offseason workouts will start up soon. The team announced that for the beginning of training camp, they would go to West Virginia to get away for a bit. There will be changes before the final cuts but if the decisions were made today this is how I think the roster would shake out.
Quarterbacks (3)
Historically the team has mostly only carried two active quarterbacks on the roster since Kevin Stefanski arrived. But considering the guaranteed dollars given to Josh Dobbs and using a draft pick on Dorian Thompson-Robinson they will likely carry three. They carried Kellen Mond on the active roster despite making him active a lot in 2022 so likely all three make the roster this season.
Deshaun Watson, QB
Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
Josh Dobbs, QB
Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports
Dorian Thompson-Robinson, QB
UCLA’s Dorian Thompson-Robinson
Running Backs (3)
The Browns currently only have two running backs on the roster that are likely to make the team unless an undrafted free agent has a great camp. Likely the third running back isn’t on the team and a great potential free agent that makes sense is veteran Jerick McKinnon. Though the team likely keeps one or two on the practice squad with a shift to more passing you likely only see three active backs on the 53.
Nick Chubb, RB
Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Jerome Ford, RB
Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Jerick McKinnon, RB (not currently on roster)
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Wide Receivers (7)
The Browns have put an emphasis on the wide receiver room adding multiple via trade and free agency as well as drafting Cedric Tillman with their first pick in the draft. There has been indication and speculation that the offense will focus more on the passing game with a full season of Deshaun Watson. With that in mind, it would seem likely based on the current roster the time might decide to only carry two tight ends and use the extra roster spot on a seventh wide receiver.
Amari Cooper, WR
Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper
Elijah Moore, WR
Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones
Cedric Tillman, WR
Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman
Utvakron0917
David Bell, WR
Mandatory Credit: Kareem Elgazzar-USA TODAY Sports
Marquise Goodwin, WR
Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jakeem Grant, WR
Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Tight Ends (2)
Tight ends have been a major focus for Kevin Stefanski’s offense the last couple of seasons but as they look to throw the ball more the need for a third blocking tight end is likely over. The two currently on the roster are above-average athletes that can mix with the wide receivers on this offense to create mismatches to exploit in the passing game.
David Njoku, TE
Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Jordan Akins, TE
Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Offensive line (10)
The Browns have a ton invested in the offensive line and showed that they won’t stop doing such drafting two more in this class. There are some question marks with players returning from injuries but the depth of this position is pretty good if the two draft picks can play at a solid level. The starting five will remain the same but there will be a position battle in camp at the center position that could go multiple different ways.
Jedrick WIlls, T
Browns offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr.
Joel Bitonio, G
Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Ethan Pocic, C
Browns quarterback Jacoby Brissett under center Ethan Pocic
Wyatt Teller, G
Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Jack Conklin, T
Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Michael Dunn, G/C
Browns quarterback Jacoby Brissett
Dawand Jones, T
Sep 3, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Dawand Jones
James Hudson, T
Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Luke Wypler, C
Mandatory Credit: Doral Chenoweth/The Columbus Dispatch
Osu22tol Dc
Wes Martin, G
Mandatory Credit: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports
Defensive Line (9)
The defensive line has been a major focus for the team both in free agency and the draft. The front office knew that they absolutely had to get more production opposite Myles Garrett. Berry also knew that they could not have a turnstile in the middle of the defensive line against the run and made sure to address that as well.
Myles Garrett, Edge
Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Dalvin Tomlinson, DT
Mandatory Credit: Peter van den Berg-USA TODAY Sports
Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Edge
Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports
Siaki Ika, DT
Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Alex Wright, Edge
Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Isaiah McGuire, Edge
Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
Isaiah Thomas, Edge
Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Maurice Hurst, DT
Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Trysten Hill, DT
Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Linebacker (6)
The team hasn’t done much at linebacker outside of bringing back their players that had expiring contracts. Though there are a couple of signings that will be mainly focused on special teams to help new special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone. The team could add a veteran before camp but they also could think the improved defensive line play will help the linebackers succeed more as well.
Anthony Walker, LB
Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Sione Takitaki, LB
Browns linebacker Sione Takitaki
Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Jordan Kunaszyk, LB
Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Jacob Phillips, LB
Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Matthew Adams, LB
Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Cornerbacks (6)
The Browns under Andrew Berry have now drafted a corner in the last three drafts in a row. They have questions overall about who will play in the slot but they have a ton of talent in the room. This is one of those position groups where you feel comfortable starting three or more in the room without worrying about much dropoff.
Denzel Ward, CB
Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Greg Newsome, CB
Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Martin Emerson, CB
Cleveland Browns cornerback Martin Emerson Jr
Cameron Mitchell, CB
Mandatory Credit: Brendan Moran-USA TODAY Sports
AJ Green, CB
Browns cornerback A.J. Green
Mike Ford, CB
Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Safety (4)
The Browns addressed the free safety spot finally adding veteran Juan Thornhill from the Kansas City Chiefs. They didn’t focus on the position in the draft, but the undrafted free agent signing of Ohio State’s Ronnie Hickman is interesting. This is a position that feels like it would be the perfect place to add a veteran before camp.
Juan Thornhill, S
Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Grant Delpit, S
Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Ronnie Hickman, S
Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
D'Anthony Bell, S
Cleveland Browns safety D’Anthony Bell
Specialists (3)
There is nothing out of the ordinary here.
Cade York, K
Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Charley Hughlett, LS
Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
[lawrence-auto-related count=5]
[stnvideo key=”BuIu1n8G” type=”player”>
