Cleveland Browns: 5 Ways The Draft Affects The Roster

We know who are the newest members of the Cleveland Browns now, but the recent additions now affect the future for players at multiple positions.

The 2016 NFL Draft brought a whopping 14 new players to the Cleveland Browns organization, but that is only part of the story. Many players currently on the roster may see their roles adjusted or their jobs rapidly become in jeopardy. With

With Scott Solomon being released on Monday, some of those moves are already happening. What could be next for the Browns?

1. Mingo’s Last Stand

Former first-round pick Barkevious Mingo went through the whole 2015 season without a single sack — as if you needed even more of a reason to feel disappointed in him. Yesterday, the Cleveland Browns also declined his hefty 2017 fifth year option, leaving Mingo being down to his last chance in 2016 to prove himself.

Despite his noticeably bulkier frame this offseason, Mingo will be pushed by rookies Emmanuel Ogbah, Carl Nassib, and Joe Schobert. Maybe he moves inside to take away his edge-setting responsibilities? Unless Mingo can be an every down outside linebacker, he could be a training camp cut as Cleveland gets down to the final 53 players.

2. Justin Gilbert‘s Should Feel Lucky

The Cleveland Browns traded for depth at cornerback in former Miami Dolphins’ Jamar Taylor. However, Cleveland did not select a defensive back until safety Derrick Kindred was their pick in the fourth round. Cornerback Trey Caldwell was taken late in the fifth round, but he does not necessarily appear poised enough to push the former first rounder off of the roster.

As it appears now, Gilbert will likely stick as the third or fourth corner on the roster for the Cleveland Browns without much quality depth around him outside of Joe Haden and Tramon Williams. Maybe Ray Horton is confident that he can motivate Gilbert to act like a professional in his third season.

3. Cameron Erving Still Starts at Center

Erving’s rookie season could not have gone worse. After being pressed into service at left guard after Joel Bitonio went down with an injury, Erving was beaten up badly and eventually replaced by Austin Pasztor. Now that Alex Mack is elsewhere this upcoming season, Erving slides over to center, where he is widely considered a better fit than as a left tackle or guard.

A full offseason focusing on one spot will help Erving greatly. We all know he needs to improve for the Cleveland Browns offense to be effective. Neither drafted offensive linemen are possibilities in the middle, so Erving has a clear path to the starting center position.

4. There’s Still A Missing ILB In The Cleveland Browns Defense

Demario Davis will assume the primary inside linebacker job from Karlos Dansby, but who starts alongside him in Ray Horton’s scheme? Christian Kirksey is more of a passing down inside backer without the size to play full-time in the middle. Rookies Schobert and Scooby Wright have experience in the middle, but both have their flaws and cannot be asked to assume major roles right away.

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Justin Tuggle? No thanks. If a pick had to be made today, it would be Kirksey as he is the most experienced in the group and did show some flashes last year. Then again, with a new coaching staff in town, the inside linebacker position will be a major position battle to watch all through training camp.

5. The Quarterback Battle Begins Now

Apparently, Hue Jackson brought Cody Kessler in to make the quarterback position battle in camp even more exciting. While I highly doubt Kessler ends up as more than a third quarterback, Connor Shaw and Austin Davis will be pushed to audition for new teams in the preseason as neither now seems likely to stay on the roster once final cuts are made.

After Davis and Shaw, a three-way battle could be brewing between incumbent Josh McCown, Robert Griffin III, and Kessler. On one side, you have McCown, who actually was pretty effective last season, but was limited due to injuries that forced both Johnny Manziel and Davis into the lineup.

Next: What Should The QB Picture Look Like?

Then there is RG3, who has plenty of injury issues of his own from his time in Washington. Remember, he was a NFC Rookie of the Year not too long ago. Finally there is Kessler, a rookie with questionable arm strength, but was publicly his head coach’s pick. As always, the quarterback position is unsettled. It would not be a Cleveland Browns offseason without that.

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