Cleveland Browns roster projections 2024: 53-man depth chart prediction for training camp

BEREA — The Cleveland Browns have returned to Berea. They'll soon depart for more than a week in West Virginia.

The veterans returned to the team headquarters on Tuesday to report for the start of training camp, with the first practice Thursday afternoon at The Greenbrier in West Virginia. Currently, there are 91 players on the roster, with offensive tackle Roy Mbaeteka a roster exemption as part of the NFL's international development program that allows the Browns to go over the normal 90-man limit.

The Browns have a little more than a month to get their roster to a firm 53, no exceptions. That date won't arrive until Aug. 27, but that doesn't mean one can't try to guess now what that 53 will look like.

The first of these projections came out shortly after the NFL draft and rookie minicamp, with another version coming after the offseason program. Now, with training camp upon us, let's see if any of our opinions have changed on what the initial 53-man roster may look like.

Quarterbacks (3)

Deshaun Watson, Jameis Winston, Dorian Thompson-Robinson

Watson is likely to get a rest day here or there during camp, but nothing has come up to doubt the idea that he'll start the regular season opener against the Dallas Cowboys. The real question rest at No. 3 between second-year pro Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Tyler Huntley, the former Baltimore Ravens backup/part-time starter. That battle could last throughout camp, and could come down to what the Browns could fetch on the trade market for either. That's why Huntley feels like he could end up getting dealt late in the same way Joshua Dobbs was last year.

Wide receivers (6)

Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy, Elijah Moore, Cedric Tillman, Jamari Thrash, David Bell

Cooper's contract issues notwithstanding, the top four remain the four locks. Thrash, who was taken in the fifth round in April's draft, returns to this projection after not being on the post-minicamp one. David Bell also joins the list as a sixth receiver is added to this projection, narrowing edging out Michael Woods II and James Proche II. All of that very well could change once the Browns get into preseason games. That's something for the next roster projection.

Running backs (4)

Nick Chubb, Jerome Ford, Nyheim Hines, Pierre Strong Jr.

It is the stated position of this roster projection is that Chubb is going to be included until there's evidence that he definitely won't be on the roster for the opener. D'Onta Foreman wasn't on this projection, but could re-appear depending on what timetables are provided for Chubb.

Tight ends (3)

David Njoku, Jordan Akins, Giovanni Ricci

Ricci is here because there's no spot for fullback, which is where he's really going to play. Zaire Mitchell-Paden isn't here because there wasn't another player at another spot that was necessarily a certain cut. We shall see as training camp goes along if he ends up back on this list.

Offensive linemen (10)

Center: Ethan Pocic, Luke Wypler

Guards: Joel Bitonio, Wyatt Teller, Michael Dunn, Zak Zinter

Tackles: Jedrick Wills Jr., Jack Conklin, Dawand Jones, James Hudson III

Injuries feel like the only way these aren't the offensive linemen who ended up on the active roster. This, however, remains a projection that firmly believes Hakeem Adeniji could be a possible someone who factors into this group at some point.

Defensive linemen (9)

End: Myles Garrett, Za'Darius Smith, Ogbo Okoronkwo, Alex Wright

Tackle: Dalvin Tomlinson, Maurice Hurst II, Michael Hall Jr., Shelby Harris, Quentin Jefferson

This has been the group for each of the previous projections. Until the pads go on and real football gets played, it's just hard to evaluate this group and see who may or may not push for a surprise spot.

Linebackers (5)

Outside: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Mohamoud Diabate

Inside: Jordan Hicks, Devin Bush, Tony Fields II

Bush was added here this time around because he feels like a talent that general manager Andrew Berry is going to take a swing at trying to get back that former first-round potential. Sixth-round pick Nathaniel Watson was the tough cut to this projection. Watson still feels like someone who could certainly help out with special teams, the way Diabate made the roster a year ago.

Cornerbacks (5)

Denzel Ward, Greg Newsome II, Martin Emerson Jr., Cameron Mitchell, Justin Hardee

Mitchell missed all of minicamp with an injury. He obviously made a impact as a rookie last season, but you can't make the club in the tub, so to speak. Hardee could be this year's Mike Ford Jr., the player who was initially signed because of his special-teams prowess who turns into a solid backup at cornerback.

Safeties (5)

Grant Delpit, Juan Thornhill, Rodney McLeod, D'Anthony Bell, Ronnie Hickman

The second-year pro Hickman seems to be a favorite of safeties coach Ephraim Banda. But what does that mean for Tony Brown, who was signed primarily for his work on special teams, specifically under special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone with the Indianapolis Colts? For now, it feels like Hickman's the fifth safety.

Special teams (3)

Punter: Corey Bojorquez

Kicker: Dustin Hopkins

Long snapper: Charley Hughlett

The three-year extension Hopkins signed last week removed the last bit of intrigue at this spot. This means the Browns would start the season with the same kicker, punter and long snapper for the first time since 2020, when it was Austin Seibert, Jamie Gillan and Hughlett. Certainly, that all turned out great for all three that year, right?

Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Browns roster projections 2024: 53-man depth chart prediction for training camp