We’re just over a month away from the NFL week 1 opener but 53-man roster outlooks are already beginning to take shape.

Teams around the league, including the Cleveland Browns, have a pretty good idea who 40-plus of the guys on their roster will be. Now, it’s about those last few battling it out for a spot.

With the Browns having already played one preseason game against the New York Jets, it gave a jumpstart to some clues about the week 1 roster.

Today, I’m going to go through the 53-man roster as it stands, prior to their second preseason game against the Washington Commanders on Friday, Aug. 11.

Quarterback: Deshaun Watson, Joshua Dobbs, Dorian Thompson-Robinson

This is pretty firm and I do not expect it to change. Kellen Mond got the start in the Hall of Fame game and didn’t look all that great. The rookie, Thompson-Robinson, came in during the second half and lit a fire beneath the offense. Expect the Browns to keep their rookie quarterback to develop him for down-the-road possibilities.

Running back: Nick Chubb, Jerome Ford, Demetric Felton

With Ford resting against the Jets it seems that he has that backup running back job pretty firmly. For now, I have Felton as the third guy, though that could change. The third-year versatile player can’t stay content, John Kelly Jr. and Hassan Hall have a chance to make things pretty interesting. I believe that Felton being an Andrew Berry draft pick helps his cause.

Wide receiver: Amari Cooper, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Elijah Moore, David Bell, Cedric Tillman, Marquise Goodwin

Cleveland’s top five spots in the wide receiver room are pretty firm in some order. It’s the sixth spot that looks to be up for grabs. If it wasn’t for Marquise Goodwin’s medical care of blood clots, this room could be as good as settled. Jaelon Darden, Anthony Schwartz, and Mike Harley Jr. are on the outside looking in for the time being. That’s right, Andrew Berry is cutting another of his draft picks.

Tight end: David Njoku, Jordan Akins, Harrison Bryant

This group should stay like this, with no expected changes through the preseason. Zaire Mitchell-Paden is an interesting player that is athletic with a basketball background but he doesn’t block. Inspected Mitchell-Paden to land on the practice squad.

Offensive line: Jedrick Wills Jr., Joel Bitonio, Ethan Pocic, Wyatt Teller, Jack Conklin, Dawand Jones, Luke Wypler, James Hudson, Michael Dunn, Colby Gossett

Your five starters return from last year with some young depth behind them. Jones looked seasoned in his preseason debut, as did his college teammate Wypler. Wypler wins the backup center job over Nick Harris because he’s cheaper and a more recent draft pick. Michael Dunn has been a versatile offensive lineman for the Browns for a bit now, they should keep him around. The fourth guard spot is the question here.

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Defensive end: Myles Garrett, Za’Darius Smith, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Alex Wright, Isaiah McGuire

Cleveland’s effort to revamp the edge room saw them add three new bodies to the rotation. At this time, Wright holds the edge over Isaiah Thomas and undrafted rookie Lonnie Phelps. Wright wasn’t ready for the NFL last year, so if those two show enough in camp his spot could be in jeopardy.

Defensive tackle: Dalvin Tomlinson, Jordan Elliott, Siaki Ika, Maurice Hurst, Trysten Hill

My belief is still that the Browns need to add another veteran to the room. Shelby Harris visited last week but remains in no rush to sign. Past the rookie Ika, there are open spots for depth. Tommy Togiai is on the outside looking in at the moment.

Linebackers: Anthony Walker Jr., Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Sione Takitaki, Tony Fields II, Jordan Kunaszyk, Matthew Adams

Linebackers seem pretty set if Adams can come back strong from his calf strain. Undrafted rookies Charlie Thomas III and Mohamoud Diabate remain interesting.

Safeties: Grant Delpit, Juan Thornhill, Rodney McLeod, D’Anthony Bell

I’m inclined to think the Browns keep four safeties, though they could reach for five. That fourth spot includes a push from undrafted rookie Ronnie Hickman Jr. and Bubba Bolden can’t be forgotten about. Bell made the team as an undrafted rookie last year, so he gets the benefit of the doubt this early.

Cornerbacks: Denzel Ward, Martin Emerson Jr., Greg Newsome II, A.J. Green III, Cameron Mitchell

One of the deepest rooms on the team, as the Browns have three very good cornerbacks. Browns continue to like what Green brings and has for a couple of years now. Mitchell makes the team as a rookie, he had a nice pass breakup against the Jets.

Special teams: Cade York, Corey Bojorquez, Charley Hughlett

York missed a kick last Thursday against the Jets that give you worries. He missed eight during his rookie season and was inconsistent. It’s still early in the preseason and perhaps he will be fine. Cleveland cut their backup punter, that job belongs to Bojorquez. Hughlett is the second longest-tenured member of the team outside of Bitonio, he’s here as long as he wants to be. 

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Featured image via Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports.