Browns: First unofficial Browns depth chart released with surprising names

The first unofficial Browns depth chart has been released.

The first unofficial Browns depth chart has been revealed thanks to Nate Ulrich, who tweeted out the image below. The depth chart mostly shows what fans have come to expect across the board but there are a few intriguing positions of note with some rather surprising names. To be clear, this is not an official depth chart, it’s most likely just one they’re going to use in this upcoming weekend’s preseason game.

As far as first-team offense goes, there are no surprises. Baker Mayfield is QB1, while the five returning offensive starters on the line return as well. Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry, and Austin Hooper fall in where expected. The running backs are no different with Andy Janovich and Nick Chubb as starters, and Kareem Hunt following behind.

As of right now, Blake Hance and Michael Dunn, the unsung heroes of Browns’ offensive line are penciled in as backups behind Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller.

The rest of the skilled positions play out as expected, save for one, the second tight end. Harrison Bryant is not currently listed as TE2, instead, David Njoku is. Njoku was the third tight end in 2020, with Bryant being the de facto number two. That’s currently not the case. While this has no barring on Bryant’s future with the Browns, Njoku is in the last year of his deal, it is rather interesting to see such a shuffle.

That said, Njoku was the only surprise, on offense.

The big surprise for Browns’ fans is who’s listed on the defense

While the defensive base officially being a 4-3 is rather surprising considering Joe Woods, it’s who is listed across the board that has drawn some intrigue. The front four is mostly as expected with Myles Garrett, Malik Jackson, Andrew Billings, and Jadeveon Clowney getting the front four spots, Takk McKinley and Porter Gustin are in as backups to the ends, and Sheldon Day and Jordan Elliot are your backup tackles. Leaving Malick MacDowell and Marvin Wilson as fourth-stringers behind third-string players Damion Square and Tommy Togiai. Despite so many people talking about Wilson, to see him dead last is surprising.

The starters at linebacker currently from left, center, and right are Mack Wilson, Anthony Walker, and Sione Takitaki. Malcolm Smith, Jacob Phillips, and Elijah Lee as their backups. Second-round rookie linebacker, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, and fifth-round rookie linebacker Tony Fields II are listed as third-stringers currently. With how much hype those two had, it’s a bit surprising, to say the least, that they aren’t at least backups.

Your starting secondary has Denzel Ward and Greedy Williams at corner, the first big surprise as a starter. Williams missed all of 2020, one would’ve thought he’d be a nickel or dime guy to start the season and their backups, Troy Hill and Greg Newsome were expected to start over Williams. Another surprise is Ronnie Harrison Jr. getting the nod to start alongside John Johnson III at safety. Grant Delpit, the one player most fans thought for sure would be ready to make an impact this year, is second on the depth chart with Sheldrick Redwine; who many thought would be cut.

No decision has been made to cut anyone or keep anyone just yet, it’s far too early in the preseason for that but it is rather interesting to see who distanced themselves from the pack this early in camp.