We’re at the point where we are just ready for meaningful football to be here. Before that time comes, the Cleveland Browns have some tough choices to make.

There is one football game that remains that won’t count for anything for teams around the league. Cleveland will travel to Kanas City to take on the Chiefs on Saturday in the final preseason game for them.

Following that game, there are some very hard choices for the Browns to make.

Cleveland will have to round out their 53-man roster and cut nearly 40 players from the roster. A practice squad will come to form and all will be well.

Again today, I’ll break down where I believe the 53-man roster stands.

Quarterback (3)

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

OUT: Kellen Mond

The Skinny: Those behind center remain pretty firm. Thompson-Robinson continues to play well in the preseason and the Browns are excited about their rookie being the long-term backup eventually.

Running back (3)

IN: Nick Chubb, Jerome Ford, Demetric Felton

OUT: John Kelly Jr., Hassan Hall, Jordan Wilkins

The Skinny: Last year the Browns opened the season with four running backs. This year they’re having trouble deciding on the third one but Felton has led the way in that conversation.

Wide receiver (7)

IN: Amari Cooper, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Elijah Moore, David Bell, Cedric Tillman, Austin Watkins Jr., Jakeem Grant Sr.

NFIL/Injured reserve: Marquise Goodwin, Mike Woods II

OUT: Anthony Schwartz, Jaelon Darden, Mike Harley Jr.

The Skinny: By keeping one less running back, it opens the door to keep an extra wideout. Cleveland wants to throw the ball around more in 2023, so why not add an extra pass catcher? Watkins has proved he belongs this preseason, as the Browns’ best offensive player. Keeping Grant seems to be up in the air but if there’s a path for them to keep the All-Pro return man, it makes sense.

Tight end (3)

IN: David Njoku, Jordan Akins, Harrison Bryant

OUT: Zaire Mitchell-Paden, Miller Forristall

The Skinny: At tight end, it remains pretty cut and dry. Cleveland will likely put Mitchell-Paden on their practice squad.

Offensive line (9)

IN: Jedrick Wills Jr., Joel Bitonio, Ethan Pocic, Wyatt Teller, Jack Conklin, Dawand Jones, Luke Wypler, James Hudson III, Michael Dunn

OUT: Drew Forbes, Tyrone Wheatley Jr., Wes Martin, Colby Gossett, Nick Harris

The skinny: The tough cut here is Nick Harris because I don’t see the Browns keeping two centers. Harris played some guard in the past but showed it was not really fit for him. I could see the end of the line fluctuating a bit this season.

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, Lonnie Phelps, Jeremiah Martin

The skinny: For me, it has been Hurst who has proven to deserve that final defensive tackle spot. An injury to Thomas has hurt his chances to make this team — he is just the odd man out.

Linebacker (6)

IN: Anthony Walker Jr., Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Sione Takitaki, Mohamoud Diabate, Jordan Kunaszyk, Tony Fields II

OUT: Matthew Adams, Charlie Thomas III

Injured reserve: Jacob Phillips

The skinny: As an undrafted free agent, Diabate has flashed enough to earn a spot here. Keeping six linebackers is one more than I originally had. Fields is a linebacker that can fly around as depth, as on special teams, too. This training camp it has been an injury that puts Adams in a tough spot.

Cornerback (5)

IN: Denzel Ward, Martin Emerson Jr., Greg Newsome II, Cam Mitchell, Mike Ford

OUT: A.J. Green, Chris Westry, Caleb Biggers

The skinny: If there’s one more linebacker, there will be one less player on the defense somewhere. For the last couple of years, the Browns have really liked Green. But with the emergence of Mitchell and the addition of Ford, he becomes expendable.

Safety (4)

IN: Grant Delpit, Juan Thornhill, Rodney McLeod, Ronnie Hickman Jr.

OUT: D’Anthony Bell, Tanner McAllister

The skinny: Another undrafted free agent I have making the team is Hickman. He’s been perhaps the best defender this preseason and has jumped Bell as the fourth cornerback, in my projection.

Special teams (3)

IN: Cade York, Corey Bojorquez, Charley Hughlett

The skinny: Cleveland continues to say they don’t want another kicker, they want York to figure it out. Right now there are only three specialists on the team. 

Unforeseen players have put themselves in position to make Browns roster

There have been three players who have came on quickly with the Browns.

Featured image via Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports.