Three Cleveland Browns who could be in danger of losing their roster spots if and when the 2020 preseason/Training Camp ever commences.
The Cleveland Browns roster is better following free agency and the NFL Draft, and that has fans looking toward position battles if and when a Training Camp and preseason is played out.
In his first offseason calling the shots, Andrew Berry added several new starters, as the Browns bolstered the offense with two new linemen (Jack Conklin, Jedrick Wills) and a new tight end, in addition to fullback Andy Janovich.
Defensively, Cleveland added probably starters in safety Grant Delpit–and I’d argue Jacob Phillips, although that’s a debate for another day.
With all of the new additions, the truth is the Browns should be in contention for a playoff spot, especially with the league’s playoff format extending to seven teams. Heck, television broadcasts listed Cleveland as being “In the hunt” a season ago for much of December, even when the team failed to live up to expectations.
While the Browns are better, the new additions are sure to reverberate down the roster.
Here’s a look a three players in danger of losing their roster spot ahead of the 2020 season based off Berry’s offseason moves.
1. Terrance Mitchell
The Cleveland Browns didn’t draft a corner, which is a good thing for Terrance Mitchell, but they did pay undrafted rookie free agent A.J. Green about as much as a sixth-round pick would make.
Read between the lines, and this storyline screams that the Browns love Green, who is one of three undrafted rookie free agents with a real shot to make the team.
Behind Greedy Williams and Denzel Ward, the Browns also have Kevin Johnson, who signed a one-year deal. He’s expected to play in the slot, but can also be used over the top. Factor in Green and other returnees such as Donnie Lewis Jr. and Tavierre Thomas, and you wonder if Mitchell fits into the plans.
Barry already split with one corner from the John Dorsey era (T.J. Carrie). Perhaps he’s waiting to see how this plays out on the field. As noted by ESPN, the Browns would save $3 million by cutting Mitchell.
Mitchell’s name isn’t easy to put on this list, as he’s built a nice fan following as the viewing audience got to know him “Hard Knocks” just ahead of the 2018 campaign. “Money Mitchell” had a memorable scene where he went toe-to-toe with Jarvis Landry, severely irking the veteran wideout.
That’s exactly what you want to see from someone like Mitchell, though. He seems to be someone who’s aware that his roster spot is in jeopardy every single day.
As for on the field, I thought he was solid, especially when asked, along with Carrie, to step up and fill in for the injured Williams and Ward during the first quarter of the 2019 campaign.
2. Damion Ratley
Damon Ratley is just is survivor. What else can you call someone who’s survived three coaching changes all while wearing a Cleveland uniform?
Hue Jackson brought him and he stayed under Gregg Williams. He edged out some other legit receiving candidates under Freddie Kitchens, but now, his survival status may be in question.
The Browns just re-signed Rashard Higgins. It’s not to out of left field to forecast a bounce back season for Hollywood. His improved play will only make the Freddie experiment look like a bigger disaster.
Then, Andrew Berry picked up Donvan Peoples-Jones in the sixth round. Everyone seems to be really taken with the former Wolvernine.
Add those two to OBJ and Landry, and that’s four spots, with two remaining open. That said, I thought Khadarel Hodge was a better option at the end of the last season, but even if that were the case, it wasn’t enough to just hand him the job.
It’s also worth noting that everyone expects the Browns to keep six receivers. That’s kind of the norm. Don’t forget Kareem Hunt, though, who could motion out to the slot. That worth keeping in mind because the Browns are expected to utilize multiple tight-end formations, in addition to leaning heavily on newly acquired fullback Andy Janovich.
A week ago, Ratley would’ve been third or fourth on the depth chart. Now, he’s on the bubble heading into camp, when there is a camp.
Ratley’s biggest competition include Taywan Taylor and Hodge. That said, those guys may not be around either when the smoke settles on the final roster.
3. Dontrell Hilliard
Dontrell Hilliard was the third running back, but a recent undrafted free agent signing may make things interesting during camp.
If you haven’t looked into Benny LeMay, it won’t take you long to see why Hilliard’s job may be in jeopardy.
Hilliard was unspectacular last season and in LeMay, the Browns added a player who’s rushed for over 2,300 yards and scored 20 touchdowns in his final two college seasons.
Plus, if there is a preseason, the stage will be set for LeMay to impress. Imagine the the third and fourth quarter of those exhibition contests. The fourth string comes in and a running back like LeMay, who’s been compared to a bowling ball, could start plowing defenders over all while winning the hearts and minds of the Dawg Pound.
Additionally, Hilliard handled 15 punt returns a season ago, and that role seems to be going somewhere else with the Browns signing JoJo Natson and drafting Peoples-Jones.
Hilliard’s been a fine player, but he’s still the third running back on the team. That’s an expendable roster spot that a new general manager may want to address by putting his own guy there.