We are that much closer to the regular season following the second preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings for the Cleveland Browns. Just a matchup with the Seattle Seahawks remains for the Browns and before they get to cutdown day.
While the Browns are dealing with some injuries and it isn’t easy to predict how things will shake out, I am once again taking a crack at projecting the 53-man roster.
Note: Players with single asterisk (*) are 2024 draft picks and players with double asterisks (**) are 2024 free agents signings.
Quarterback (3)
IN : Deshaun Watson, Jameis Winston**, Dorian Thompson-Robinson
OUT : Tyler Huntley**
The skinny : To me, it appears that DTR has taken over the No. 3 job pretty clearly and that was proven last preseason game. Huntley is on the outside looking in.
Running back (4)
IN : Nick Chubb, Jerome Ford, D’Onta Foreman**, Nyhiem Hines**
OUT : Pierre Strong Jr., Aidan Robbins
The skinny : It is unclear when Chubb will be back, but the Browns can ride Ford and Foreman until he is. Cleveland will add to the practice squad to help out as well.
Wide receiver (6)
IN : Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy, Elijah Moore, David Bell, Cedric Tillman, Jamari Thrash*
OUT : James Proche II, Jaelon Darden, Mike Woods II, Matt Landers, Ahmarean Brown
The skinny : Woods has come back strong from injury and is someone the Browns may keep around, but I cut him here for number reasons. If Cleveland can get Woods to the practice squad they will be thrilled.
Tight end (2)
IN : David Njoku, Jordan Akins
OUT : Zaire Mitchell-Paden, Giovanni Ricci (IR), Treyton Welch
The skinny : With Ricci dealing with a decent injury, the Browns can get him to the IR perhaps, or look to cut him and bring him back to the practice squad. Cleveland will bring up a third guy from the practice squad initially, in my opinion.
Offensive line (10)
IN : Jedrick Wills Jr., Joel Bitonio, Ethan Pocic, Wyatt Teller, Jack Conklin, Dawand Jones, Nick Harris, Hakeem Adeniji**, Zak Zinter*, James Hudson
OUT : Michael Dunn, Germain Ifedi**, Wyatt Davis, Javion Cohen, Lorenzo Thompson, Brian Allen, Luke Wypler(IR), Zack Johnson
The skinny : Cleveland is dealing with a lot of injuries at left tackle and they’ll have to begin the season, likely not 100 percent there. Depth could be tested early in the season.
Defensive line (10)
IN : Myles Garrett, ZaDarius Smith, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Isaiah McGuire, Alex Wright, Dalvin Tomlinson, Shelby Harris, Quinton Jefferson**, Michael Hall Jr.*, Maurice Hurst
OUT : Siaki Ika, Sam Kamara, Isaiah Thomas, Jowon Briggs*, Chris Williams, Jeremiah Martin,
The skinny : With less room at defensive tackle after drafting Hall, letting Ika go was easy with the training camp he has had . Someone like Williams on the practice squad would be ideal.
Linebacker (6)
IN : Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Jordan Hicks, Devin Bush, Tony Fields II, Mohamoud Diabate, Nathaniel Watson*
OUT : Caleb Johnson, Winston Reid, Landon Honeycutt
The skinny : I believe that Diabate is going to be a strong depth linebacker and he has had the preseason to lock in a roster spot. JOK is the star of the group.
Cornerback (5)
IN : Denzel Ward, Martin Emerson Jr., Greg Newsome II, Cam Mitchell, Myles Harden*
OUT : Tony Brown, Justin Hardee, Kahlef Hailassie, Faion Hicks, Chris Edmonds
The skinny : Cleveland continues to have one of the best cornerback trios in the NFL. The group is much like last year’s, except for the addition of the rookie Harden, who has had a strong camp and looks like a steal .
Safety (4)
IN : Grant Delpit, Juan Thornhill, Rodney McLeod, Ronnie Hickman Jr.
OUT : D’Anthony Bell, Chase Williams, Tyler Croyle
The skinny : Instead of keeping five safeties like last year to start things out, the Browns roll with four and get Bell to the practice squad.
Special teams (3)
IN : Dustin Hopkins, Corey Bojorquez, Charley Hughlett
OUT : Cade York,
The skinny : York has kicked the football well for the Browns this season and maybe he can find a job elsewhere. The Browns have their kicker Dustin Hopkins and the special teams unit is set.
Related: Former draft pick among the Browns players that may’ve lost their job this preseason
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