Projecting the Browns initial 53-man roster before the preseason finale
The Cleveland Browns finish off their preseason slate of games with the Chicago Bears on Saturday night. After that, the front office and coaching staff will have a couple of days to get together and decide who makes the initial 53-man roster and who does not.
As always, like with LB Jacob Phillips last year, decisions are made with multiple layers of reasons included. Phillips made the initial roster so that he could go on injured reserve but return for the season.
Cleveland could also be active in trade talks over those couple of days but guessing what GM Andrew Berry will do is an overwhelming task. Instead, it is easy to hope that the Browns add more talent at wide receiver, tight end and defensive tackle but nothing is certain.
For today’s 53-man roster projection, we will only look at players currently on the team. Any injuries Saturday night would have an impact on who makes the roster as well.
Quarterback - 2
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Jacoby Brissett and Josh Dobbs.
Simple, easy.
Running Back - 4
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Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, D’Ernest Johnson and Jerome Ford
Obviously, it is possible that Hunt or Johnson gets moved but we are not assuming anything here. Instead, we looked for a way to keep even more running backs on the roster except you won’t find them listed here.
Tight Ends - 3
David Njoku, Harrison Bryant and Johnny Stanton
Call him an h-back, a fullback or a tight end but Stanton does have some versatility. This is a prime spot for some changes in trade or after initial cut downs but, right now, it is hard to pinpoint anyone besides Njoku and Bryant as true tight ends that should make the roster.
Wide Receiver - 6
Amari Cooper, Donovan Peoples-Jones, David Bell, Anthony Schwartz, Michael Woods II and Demetric Felton
Maybe not the receiver group that many people would hope for here but Felton has been lined up there most of the offseason and will probably be the team’s primary kick returner as well.
Offensive Line - 10
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Starters: Jedrick Wills, Joel Bitonio, Ethan Pocic, Wyatt Teller and Jack Conklin
Backups: James Hudson, Blake Hance, Michael Dunn, Hjalte Frodholdt and Chris Hubbard
When looking at where Cleveland could trade talent from, start at the offensive line. There is a lot of talent here. Brock Hoffman could stick but the versatility of Dunn and Frodholdt give them options.
Conklin could miss a little time to start the season which could lead to Hudson, Hance or Hubbard in the starting lineup.
Defensive End - 6
(AP Photo/Nick Cammett)
Myles Garrett, Jadeveon Clowney, Alex Wright, Isaiah Thomas, Isaac Rochell and Chase Winovich
The most interesting watch will be with Winovich who has missed time with a hamstring injury. Could Chris Odom push him for a roster spot? With the size of some of the guys, Cleveland can keep more defensive ends and less defensive tackles this year.
Defensive Tackles - 4
(AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Taven Bryan, Jordan Elliott, Tommy Togiai and Perrion Winfrey
Not an overly exciting group of players here but these are the best options. Glenn Logan could push for a spot with his size providing a stout player in the middle of the line.
Linebacker - 5
(AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Anthony Walker Jr., Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Sione Takitaki, Jacob Phillips and Tony Fields II
A really fast group at the position. The team may need to keep extra linebackers for special teams but have to feel good about their starters with Phillips as the backup and Takitaki having his specific role as the SAM backer.
Cornerback - 6
(AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Denzel Ward, Greg Newsome II, Greedy Williams, Martin Emerson, AJ Green and Herb Miller
Miller has been a key special teams guy while Cleveland’s top five corners match up pretty well with any group in the NFL as long as they are healthy.
Safety - 4
(AP Photo/Gail Burton)
John Johnson III, Grant Delpit, Ronnie Harrison and Richard LeCounte III
Maybe the most interesting player on the team this year is Harrison. He returned on a cheap one year deal after finding no market for his services. The Browns didn’t bring in players to compete with him or his spot on the roster might be more up in the air.
D’Anthony Bell could fight for a spot but seems due for the practice squad.
Special Teams - 3
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Cade York, Corey Bojorquez and Charley Hughlett
Simple and easy for the specialists. All of Cleveland hopes it stays that way.
