Cleveland Browns 2024 projection: The 45 players are locks to make the 53-man roster

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — The Cleveland Browns had the day off Sunday to enjoy whatever it is they could from The Greenbrier and the surrounding West Virginia area.

One thing that is noticeable about this team, even before the three training camp practices this past week, was the lack of true roster spots available. That was evident in multiple roster projections that have already been done.

We've already done three 53-person roster projections, which isn't quite the same as this. The first of those projections came out shortly after the NFL draft and rookie minicamp, with another version coming after the offseason program and one right before training camp began.

This isn't a full roster projection. Instead, it's a look at the players who feel like absolute stone-cold locks to make the roster. One important caveat: A number of key Browns are currently dealing with injuries and they may or may not make the initial 53 because of that, but they're absolutely important pieces and are thus included.

It's quite the lengthy list. Time to jump right into the locks.

Quarterbacks (2)

Deshaun Watson, Jameis Winston

Watson and Winston are the "well duh" picks here. It's going to be fascinating to see if it's Tyler Huntley or Dorian Thompson-Robinson who get the nod at No. 3. Huntley clearly seems to be the lean right now.

Wide receivers (4)

Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy, Elijah Moore, Cedric Tillman

This is, if you will, the "core four" wide receivers. After these four, it feels like David Bell would be option five, with a variety of options possible for six or, if they keep this many, seven. Those spots will likely hinge as much on what they can do on special teams as anything else.

Running backs (4)

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

There's no evidence that Chubb is going to miss the entire season, so he's going to be included here even if he starts on injured reserve. Ford and Strong are all-around backs, while Strong also is one of the team's best special teamers as well. Hines is getting close to getting back from his knee injury, and it's hard to envision a scenario where he doesn't make the roster. D'Onta Foreman becomes the player whose roster spot may hinge on whether or not Chubb goes on IR or not.

Tight ends (2)

David Njoku, Jordan Akins

Undrafted free agent Treyton Welch has worked very early in camp with the first unit. That's partially because Njoku didn't practice the first two days. It's also because the Browns really don't have a lot of proven options at tight end. Giovanni Ricci is another one who could benefit from both numbers and the work he's likely to gain in select scenarios as a fullback.

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

Brian Allen walked off the field on Saturday with a trainer, another injury question for a player full of injury questions. Allen was also the only other real option beyond Wypler as the backup center. Wills and Conklin's exact returns aren't known, but if they're healthy, they're on the roster. So this group really is pretty much set.

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

Tomlinson underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on Friday, and that will keep him sidelined for some time. But the timetable remains for him to be back by the opener against the Cowboys. The other eight on the list all feel pretty lock-ish on the eve of the Browns actually putting pads on and getting into full-contact drills.

Linebackers (4)

Outside: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Mohamoud Diabate

Inside: Jordan Hicks, Tony Fields II

Another spot where a dearth of proven options make the ones who are at least relatively proven with this team virtual locks. The argument could be made that Diabate may be the weakest of the four listed, but Devin Bush still has to work his way up from "player the Browns took a low-risk chance on."

Cornerbacks (4)

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

The Browns insist Newsome will be back for the season, despite having had surgery to repair a torn hamstring. He's going to be on the roster if he's capable of playing. Hardee's here because of his special-teams value. Cameron Mitchell has to practice at some point before he's handed a lock spot. Kahlef Hailassie seems like the next-best option, but it's not a lock, either.

Safeties (3)

Grant Delpit, Juan Thornhill, Rodney McLeod

Tony Brown has worked as the nickel so far in camp because of the multiple injuries. He's probably on this list if it wasn't for two other safeties who could make strong arguments as well. D'Anthony Bell has started camp on the physically unable to perform list with a shin injury, otherwise he might be on this list. Ronnie Hickman is another one who is venturing very close to that territory.

Special teams (3)

Punter: Corey Bojorquez

Kicker: Dustin Hopkins

Long snapper: Charley Hughlett

There's no analysis necessary here. It's pretty straight-forward.

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 2024 projection: The 45 players are locks to make the 53-man roster