Browns final 53-man roster prediction
Big decisions are on the way after the Cleveland Browns wrapped up their preseason against the Kansas City Chiefs. Teams have to get down to a 53-man roster Tuesday, so the race is now on. The final preseason game was one last chance to prove to the coaches and front office they belong on the […]
Big decisions are on the way after the Cleveland Browns wrapped up their preseason against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Teams have to get down to a 53-man roster Tuesday, so the race is now on.
The final preseason game was one last chance to prove to the coaches and front office they belong on the initial roster.
We’re giving it one last go on the Browns’ 53-man roster. We now shift from a projection, to a prediction.
Note: Players with single asterisk (*) are 2023 draft picks and players with double asterisks (**) are 2023 undrafted free agents.
Quarterback (2)
IN: Deshaun Watson, Dorian Thompson-Robinson*
OUT: Kellen Mond
The skinny: Cleveland shouldn’t carry three quarterbacks on the active roster. For game day, the team can opt to bring one up from the practice squad.
Running back (3)
IN: Nick Chubb, Jerome Ford, Demetric Felton
OUT: John Kelly Jr., Hassan Hall**, Jordan Wilkins
The skinny: Felton could potentially be replaced with a player cut elsewhere, but to this point he has been the third running back all preseason.
Wide receiver (7)
IN: Amari Cooper, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Elijah Moore, David Bell, Cedric Tillman*, Marquise Goodwin, Austin Watkins Jr.
OUT: Anthony Schwartz, Jakeem Grant Sr., Jaelon Darden, Mike Harley Jr.
The skinny: With only keeping two quarterbacks, the Browns can opt to keep another offensive player. Austin Watkins Jr. has earned a spot on this team.
Tight end (3)
IN: David Njoku, Jordan Akins, Harrison Bryant
OUT: Zaire Mitchell-Paden, Miller Forristall
The skinny: This room is set. In past years, the Browns have kept four tight ends. With the offense shifting a bit, they should keep only three this year.
Offensive line (9)
IN: Jedrick Wills Jr., Joel Bitonio, Ethan Pocic, Wyatt Teller, Jack Conklin, Dawand Jones*, Luke Wypler*, James Hudson, Michael Dunn
OUT: Nick Harris, Drew Forbes, Tyrone Wheatley Jr., Wes Martin, Colby Gossett
The skinny: Cleveland isn’t keeping three centers I highly doubt, so Harris is going to be a tough cut. Gossett being the 10th man here was the tough choice.
Defensive line (10)
IN: Myles Garrett, ZaDarius Smith, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Isaiah McGuire*, Alex Wright, Dalvin Tomlinson, Shelby Harris, Siaki Ika*, Jordan Elliott, Maurice Hurst
OUT: Tommy Togiai, Trysten Hill, Isaiah Thomas
The skinny: Alex Wright is hurt but I don’t see the Browns giving up on him just yet. He stays on the roster and Cleveland keeps five ends and five tackles. Hurst has shown he’s healthy and deserves that fifth tackle spot. Expect some of the guys on the out to potentially head to the practice squad.
Linebacker (6)
IN: Anthony Walker Jr., Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Sione Takitaki, Tony Fields II, Matthew Adams, Mohamoud Diabate**
OUT: Jordan Kunaszyk (IR), Jacob Phillips (IR)
The skinny: This preseason it has been Diabate who has earned his spot on the team. Some believe the Browns keep five linebackers, I have six here. An unfortunate injury for Kunaszyk in the final preseason game takes him out.
Cornerback (6)
IN: Denzel Ward, Martin Emerson Jr., Greg Newsome II, A.J. Green, Cam Mitchell*, Mike Ford
OUT: Caleb Biggers
The skinny: Cleveland’s cornerback unit is pretty strong and the addition of Mitchell is going to fit well.
Safety (4)
IN: Grant Delpit, Juan Thornhill, Rodney McLeod, D’Anthony Bell
OUT: Ronnie Hickman Jr.**, Tanner McAllister
The skinny: Hickman wasn’t drafted for the worries that were proven aren’t totally true this preseason. The Ohio State product has three interceptions and has shown he’s more than a box safety. Bell was the undrafted free agent to make the team last year and he sticks around for now. Being able to get Hickman to the practice squad would be great.
Special teams (3)
IN: Cade York, Corey Bojorquez, Charley Hughlett
OUT:
The skinny: As firm as concrete, we hope York figures it out.
AtoZ Sports Cleveland will keep you up to date with all of the Browns official moves as they get down to 53 players by Tuesday’s deadline.
Today could be final game for two former draft picks with Browns
This could be it for two former Browns’ draft picks.
Featured image via Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports.
