Browns: Pre-training camp roster depth chart prediction (all 53 players)
By Chad Porto
Offense (44 to start)
The players being kept are going to be mentioned right next to the position, while the players cut will be shown down below.
Quarterbacks: Baker Mayfield, Case Keenum
Reason: Until Case Keenum’s contract becomes easier to get rid of, he’s sticking around as the league’s worst valued quarterback. No one is making as much as him and provides as little. Mayfield is the future of the franchise and isn’t going anywhere, so that means Kyle Lauletta will probably be bounced.
Runningbacks: Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, Demetric Felton
Reason: Right now, the Browns seem like a team that may need more than three running backs. With the high rate of use the position got last year, the injuries to Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt no longer looking like a Pro Bowler, having D’Ernest Johnson for depth is a smart move, but assuming you can retain him and keep him on the practice squad, for now, rolling with just three running backs makes sense. Demetric Felton will have to prove to be special out the gate.
Fullback: Andy Janovich
Reason: Andy Janovich did his job last year and there’s no reason to move on from him. Johnny Stanton is too interesting of a guy to just let go, however, so he’ll end up on the practice squad.
Wide Receiver: Jarvis Landry, Odell Beckham Jr, Rashard Higgins, Anthony Schwartz, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Ryan Switzer
Reason: It’s unlikely the Browns cut either Jarvis Landry or Odell Beckham, a trade is always possible but this is just about cuts. Anthony Schwartz was drafted too high not to give a shot to, and Rashard Higgins is Baker Mayfield’s favorite target. Ryan Switzer is a fast return-man and should vie for time and Donovan Peoples-Jones showed flashes last year.
Tight End: Austin Hooper, Harrison Bryant, David Njoku, Stephen Carlson
Reason: It makes sense to just run back the tight ends from the year before, considering how Austin Hooper’s contract makes him unmovable. A trade for David Njoku could always happen but it’s unlikely they’d cut him.
Offensive Tackle: Jack Conklin, Jedrick Wills, James Hudson
Reason: Chris Hubbard should be expected to be cut. He’s aging, he’s racking up the injuries, and the Browns drafted a rookie to essentially replace him. It’s always possible the Browns run with four tackles but as of right now, it just doesn’t make sense. Especially when you have combo players like Blake Hance and Michael Dunn.
Guard: Joel Bitonio, Wyatt Teller, Michael Dunn, Blake Hance,
Reason: While cutting Chris Hubbard may ruffle some feathers, his price tag, age, and injury history make replacing him an easy call if no trade can be made. Michael Dunn and Blake Hance are versatile as well, having played both guard and tackle in their careers. Drew Forbes was an outlier but there’s a roster limit and someone had to go. Might as well be the guy with no recent game tape.
Center: J.C. Tretter, Nick Harris
Reason: Nothing at the position that warrants shaking it up to any degree.
19 Players Cut: QB Kyle Lauletta, RB Trae Harbison, RB John Kelly, RB D’Ernest Johnson, FB/Utility Johnny Stanton, WR KhaDarel Hodge, WR Derrick Willies, WR JoJo Natson, WR Ja’Marcus Bradley, WR Alexander Hollins, TE Connor Davis, TE Jordan Franks, OL Chris Hubbard, OT Greg Senat, OT Alex Taylor, OG Drew Forbes, OG Colby Gossett, OG Cordel Iwuagwu, C Javon Patterson
Final Roster Number: 25 players