7 things I think I know about the Cleveland Browns and their final roster

Seven thoughts to ponder as the Cleveland Browns look to reduce their rosters from 90 to 53 on cut day around the NFL.

With the Cleveland Browns season opener right around the corner, there are a number of decisions to be made on the 53-man roster. On Saturday, teams all over the NFL will cut from 90 players down to 53 creating a waiver wire hysteria of sorts.

The Browns will continue their evaluations and make their final decisions on the roster in the coming days, with final cuts coming on Saturday.

Here are seven things I think that I know about the Browns roster.

1. Waiver Wire Adds

The Browns get first shot at the 1,200 plus players who will become available this weekend. I expect Browns to be very active in this process and add at least six players to their roster from waivers.

2. Trades

The Browns are looking to add a wide receiver via trade, according to ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Grossi. This seems like a no-brainer at this point. The Browns wide receiving corps looks to be inept and in the need of an influx in talent badly. This becomes more important as they prepare to march rookie quarterback Deshone Kizer onto the field as their starter in week 1. It is irresponsible to not surround Kizer with adequate weapons.

I'm hearing the Browns are researching trading for a receiver. They know they need help there.
— Tony Grossi (@TonyGrossi) August 27, 2017

Between waivers and the trade market the Browns will add two wide receivers to their roster. This means Corey Coleman, Kenny Britt and Ricardo Louis will be the only three current wide receivers on the final version of Browns roster. If they decide to keep six, it would be Rashard Higgins, not that he has earned it.

3. Preseason Game Four

Hue Jackson and his staff will not play Deshone Kizer in the final preseason game. It would be ridiculous to do so at this point. Injury would be catastrophic for the entire organization. Since Kizer has been named the starting quarterback of this team, a newfound feeling of excitement and hope has filled the hearts of Browns fans everywhere. Let’s hold onto that feeling for the moment.

4. Back-up Quarterback

Cody Kessler has had a disappointing camp and preseason but will still end up as the back-up quarterback. Hopefully he can get some confidence back in the final preseason game. Kevin Hogan has actually looked better but in the end they will pencil in Kessler behind Kizer’s name on the depth chart.

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5. Cornerback

So, the Browns cut a healthy Joe Haden to save salary cap room that they do not need at all. Haden hasn’t set the world on fire this preseason and probably was the fourth best cornerback on this team. Still he wasn’t going to hurt you and is surely more prepared than any of the guys playing for the fourth cornerback position now that he is gone. Oh, and he was one of the few leaders they had on a ultra-young defense. I don’t understand saving cap room when you don’t have to.

Marcus Burley looked good last week against Tampa Bay. He made a terrific play in the end-zone to save a touchdown and played well overall. I think the Browns move him into the fourth cornerback position on the depth chart after the final preseason game.

6. Barely In

Nate Orchard played like his hair was on fire in preseason game one but has missed significant time since with an injury. He is not a product of the Sashi/Hue regime so immediately is at a disadvantage. However, I think he makes the team as their fourth defensive end behind Carl Nassib.

Next: 5 Borwns on the bubble to make the final roster

7. Barely Out

Defensive Tackle Xavier Cooper is at the same disadvantage as Orchard, he wasn’t drafted by the current regime. In his case though it doesn’t matter. The Browns defensive front is very talented and deep. Cooper gets cut this weekend.

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