The Cleveland Browns have 16 names on their practice squad and these are the six names who could see action sooner rather than later.
The Cleveland Browns have signed their practice squad players. Some expected names didn’t make the cut and some surprising names did. Yet, at the end of the day, the hope is that whoever is needed can step up and fill in immediately. While a minor league or developmental league would make all the sense in the world, the NFL instead just allows teams to field a 16 man practice squad that they can move guys from in a pinch.
The Browns have announced the 16 players that they’re carrying into the 2020 season as “emergency” talents to be called upon as needed.
"QB Garrett Gilbert RB Dontrell Hilliard RB John Kelly RB Benny LeMay FB Johnny Stanton WR Ja’Marcus Bradley WR Taywan Taylor T Brady Aiello T Greg Senat G Michael Dunn LB Montrel Meander CB A.J. Green CB Robert Jackson S Elijah Benton S Jovante Moffatt K Cody Parkey"
Of those 16 names, six of whom could probably see some time in games this year. If not some game time, at least some time on the sideline as a backup.
The team just added tackle Greg Senat and running back John Kelly to fill the final two roster spots that were left open after the final rosters were announced and the practice team was initially filled. The Browns didn’t add Senat and Kelly until the first week of the regular season, so it seems unlikely either player will be ready to be called upon if needed anytime soon, that said Senat is on the protected side of the practice squad for week one. That means no team can sign him until after the week is over.
So with that, let’s take a look at six players that may see time on the main roster for 2020.
QB Garrett Gilbert
There was a time when every NFL team carried three quarterbacks. You never wanted to be down to your last quarterback on your depth chart if your starter got hurt. After all, we’ve seen it before, where both the starter and backup get hurt. The third quarterback is an insurance policy you never want to have, but are glad you do. Kinda like that ‘Act of God’ policy. You don’t see the point in it until that tree finally falls on your car. That’s why carrying three quarterbacks is a solid philosphy.
It’s really unthinkable to believe that neither Baker Mayfield nor Case Keenum won’t get hurt at some point this season. Even if it’s just for a single game. At some time during the season, you gotta think they’ll need Garrett Gilbert. It’s a bit baffling to only carry two quarterbacks in the NFL, but it’s now become the trend.
FB Johnny Stanton
This one seems the most likely out of all the names on this list. With the emphasis on running the ball, and the ability for Stanton to really play anywhere on the field, save for wide receiver, it seems almost inevitable that Stanton doesn’t spend at least a few games on the Cleveland Browns main roster at some point this season.
He’s tall enough to play on the line as a tight end, strong enough to line up as a fullback, athletic enough to be a running back, and can actually throw the ball, as he was a college quarterback for his entire career. He’s even shown the ability to tackle with some good efficiency, so special teams or even spot plays on defense are within his wheelhouse. He’s still a developing prospect but one that could be a full-time 53-man guy soon enough.
T Brady Aiello
Brady Aiello can play offensive tackle or guard, which is useful because the Cleveland Browns have some injury problems, some aging talent, and some rookies on this roster that may not be able to hold up. It’s not the ideal situation to call upon Aiello if Joel Bitonio gets hurt or if rookie Jedrick Wills can’t catch on with the starting lineup but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.
Aiello wasn’t always a starter in Oregon, but he has enough raw attributes that he could potentially turn into something nice. Maybe even great. He’s not better than the nine-odd guys on the main roster, however. At least not yet. So calling on Aiello would be a real sign that the offensive line is in trouble.
LB Montrel Meander
Outside of Johnny Stanton, this is the pick for the second most likely player to get called up in. The linebackers are going to be a work in progress all season. They might be stellar, but they might also stumble. There is no real way of knowing with so many young and unproven guys on the roster. Which should be stated over and over and over. The only guy with any real experience on the Browns roster is Mack Wilson, and he’s out for a few weeks due to a knee injury.
That means the Browns are running a bunch of former backups from other teams and Sione Takitaki as their starting three for the year. Injuries are always likely, and poor play seems very possible as well for this unit. If those two ideas merge into a Venn Diagram of Suck, then you can believe that Montrel Meander will be on the shortlist of call ups.
A.J. Green
The team did add Kevin Johnson in free agency, and there are many fans high on Terrence Mitchell, but despite all there’s no reason to think that A.J. Green won’t get the call up eventually. A highly touted and highly sought after undrafted free agent, Green was a surprising cut among many, simply because of how much the Browns liked him when they signed him. Also, it’s not like Tavierre Thomas or M.J. Stewart are impressing too many people.
It’s actually a bit surprising that Stewart made the team, a bust of huge proportion. He was selected in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and was so bad in his time in Tampa, he got cut. A second-round pick, done in two seasons. That’s not a strong sign that he’s going to make an impact. Green’s arrival on the main roster is almost a lock.
K Cody Parkey
Two words, one name, Bill Gramatica. Many of you may not remember the lesser-known Gramatica brother, but some do. Some will understand this. Gramatica was a kicker for the Arizona Cardinals and after a simple 42-yard chip shot, Gramatica lept in the air and tore his ACL, ending his season. Yup. Oh, the Cardinals lost that game by a field goal.
So while Austin Seibert is a solid option, he’s just one slipped foot away from a torn ACL. Cody Parkey should be a fine call up if the Browns need to do so, but as of right now Seibert isn’t in any danger of losing his spot unless he gets hurt.