Cleveland Browns: 5 biggest roster battles brewing after 2021 NFL Draft

2. Cleveland Browns backup guard battle

Battle: Blake Hance vs Michael Dunn vs Drew Forbes

The Cleveland Browns will return their starting offensive line in 2021, but there’s been some turnover on the depth chart, with Kendall Lamm departing in free agency. Plus, the Browns added James Hudson, an intriguing offensive tackle out of Cincinnati in the fifth round.

Realistically, the Browns are going to carry eight lineman, meaning there’s room for three backups on the active on active roster. Nick Harris, a 2020 draft pick, probably makes the team as the backup center/guard, but after that, things really get interesting.

Chris Hubbard is still on the roster and was a good player last season, serving as the swing lineman. I could see both Hubbard and Hudson making the roster, just because Hubbard can play guard.

The third spot, well, there’s Michael Dunn, who did an outstanding job filling in during the Wild Card win at Pittsburgh before he got hurt. Blake Hance, who met Mayfield in the locker room of that contest will also get a look. Drew Forbes, who opted out of last season, will return as well.

Backup linemen are boring to talk about in the spring, but as we all saw last winter, they become very important when you really need them.