Even though they were just given contract extensions and added job security that comes along with that, neither Cleveland Browns GM Andrew Berry nor head coach Kevin Stefanski is in an enviable position when it comes to making difficult upcoming roster decisions. The Browns have one of the deepest rosters in the NFL on both sides of the ball, and they are a team with some of the most brutal "this guy or that guy" situations coming up when 53-man rosters are assembled.
Pro scouts around the league are going to be watching this Browns team like vultures, ready to pounce as soon as guys hit the waiver wire. But who is actually going to make this Cleveland Browns team in 2024? Let's take a look at our best roster guess ahead of 2024 training camp.
Cleveland Browns 53-man roster prediction ahead of 2024 training camp
Quarterback - 3 (3/53)
- Deshaun Watson
- Jameis Winston
- Dorian Thompson-Robinson
The Browns have a dilemma at quarterback. Recent history would tell us they need to keep three quarterbacks. Yet for a roster of this quality, having one spot essentially being "wasted" week after week while sacrificing a quality player elsewhere is a bitter pill to have to swallow. Because of their injury issues in recent years, the Browns keep three QBs and go with Dorian Thompson-Robinson over the veteran Tyler Huntley.
Specialists - 3 (6/53)
- Dustin Hopkins, kicker
- Corey Bojorquez, punter
- Charley Hughlett, long snapper
There's obvious competition at the kicker position right now for the Browns between veteran Dustin Hopkins and young Cade York. The Browns can't afford to take the risk here, so they go with the veteran Hopkins. We'll see how that training camp/preseason battle plays out.
Running backs - 4 (10/53)
- Nick Chubb
- D'Onta Foreman
- Jerome Ford
- Nyheim Hines
There are two new additions to the running back group for the Browns in 2024, one of which could end up being a major weapon with the NFL's new kickoff return rules. That player would be Nyheim Hines, who missed all of last season due to injury but is hopefully ready to come back and be a difference maker once again. Hines is slated to potentially return kicks and punts for the Browns, which could give them a huge advantage in the return game if he's healthy.
You have to figure Cleveland is going to keep Jerome Ford after the progress he showed last year, and D'Onta Foreman gives them another proven commodity at this position, some much needed insurance for Nick Chubb coming off of an injury.
Wide receiver - 6 (16/53)
- Amari Cooper
- Jerry Jeudy
- Elijah Moore
- Cedric Tillman
- Jamari Thrash
- James Proche
The Browns are pretty loaded at wide receiver on paper, especially among their top four players. Cleveland has to get Amari Cooper's contract situation figured out, but he should be their clear-cut #1 target once again this season. Jerry Jeudy was acquired in a trade with the Denver Broncos and immediately signed to a contract extension. Elijah Moore finds himself in a bit of a prove-it year but it would take a horrendous camp/preseason for him to not make this team.
Second-year receiver Cedric Tillman and rookie fifth-round pick Jamari Thrash add more intrigue to this group, and James Proche rounds out the list thanks to his return capabilities. Teams will need to carry multiple players who can make an impact in the return game thanks to the league's new rules. This scenario would mean former third-round pick David Bell is either cut or traded.
Tight End - 3 (19/53)
- David Njoku
- Jordan Akins
- Giovanni Ricci?
As of right now, it remains to be seen whether or not the Browns have three tight ends worth keeping on an active 53-man roster.
Now that Harrison Bryant has moved on, Jordan Akins is going to need to play more snaps and maximize his opportunities. His poor 2023 season came as a major shock, at least to me. He was coming off of a really good year with the Texans in 2022 and just couldn’t find the same groove in Cleveland. It wouldn’t surprise me to see the Browns maybe trade a player for a player to upgrade this position before the regular season opens.
Offensive Line - 9 (28/53)
- Jedrick Wills
- Joel Bitonio
- Ethan Pocic
- Wyatt Teller
- Jack Conklin
- Dawand Jones
- Brian Allen
- Hakeem Adeniji
- Zak Zinter
I initially had the Browns keeping 10 offensive linemen, but the roster gymnastics just don’t work out. When you are keeping three quarterbacks and four running backs, along with having to make sure you hold onto your awesome depth in the defensive trenches, sacrifices are going to have to be made. The Browns’ starting five on the offensive line is set. There aren’t any question marks there right now. Dawand Jones is back and the team signed Hakeem Adeniji as another option to play both tackle and guard.
On the interior, Brian Allen replaces 2023 draft pick Luke Wypler, who became a roster casualty thanks to that acquisition as well as the drafting of Michigan’s Zak Zinter in the third round. Michigan over Ohio State again, I’m afraid.
Defensive Line - 10 (38/53)
- Myles Garrett
- Za'Darius Smith
- Dalvin Tomlinson
- Shelby Harris
- Mike Hall Jr.
- Maurice Hurst
- Quinton Jefferson
- Ogbo Okoronkwo
- Alex Wright
- Isaiah McGuire
The defensive line might be the toughest and most brutal area to make cuts for the Browns right now. I ultimately had to keep 10 guys on here because of the quality of players at this position group compared to other spots on this roster like safety and linebacker. The Browns are loaded on the defensive line. They have enviable depth and countless ways defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz can create mismatches.
The sacrifices that were made on this particular roster projection included 2023 third-round pick Siaki Ika. Are there going to be any snaps for him? The Browns could keep him, but it would cost them elsewhere. He’s a player who needs to have a really good training camp and preseason. Another casualty here was 7th-round rookie Jowon Briggs out of Cincinnati. There are a lot of different player combinations that could make sense at this position group, but it’s hard to see the Browns keeping less than 10.
Linebacker - 5 (43/53)
- Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
- Jordan Hicks
- Devin Bush
- Mohamoud Diabete
- Nathaniel Watson
Because of the roster gymnastics being done elsewhere, the Cleveland Browns could be forced to sacrifice depth at the off-ball linebacker position. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is a stud, but the Browns had to overhaul the rest of the starting group here by bringing in veteran Jordan Hicks and former first-round pick Devin Bush. Typically teams like to keep six guys at this position when they have three starters, but Cleveland is going to have to hope they can stash away a few guys on the practice squad.
Mohamoud Diabete emerged as a core special teams player last year and rookie sixth-round pick Nathaniel Watson beats out former 5th-round pick Tony Fields thanks to his contract situation (four years of team control vs. Fields entering the final year of his deal).
Defensive Backs - 10 (53/53)
- Denzel Ward
- Martin Emerson Jr.
- Greg Newsome II
- Juan Thornhill
- Grant Delpit
- Rodney McLeod Jr.
- Myles Harden
- Cameron Mitchell
- D'Anthony Bell
- Justin Hardee Sr.
Another position group that is a little difficult to decipher right now is the entire defensive backfield for the Browns. We know that the core contributors here are going to be the “starting five”: Denzel Ward, Martin Emerson Jr., and Greg Newsome II at cornerback along with Juan Thornhill and Grant Delpit at the safety position. Those five guys make up arguably the best starting secondary in the entire league.
But what players will make up this team’s depth? Justin Hardee replaces Mike Ford, one of the team’s leaders in special teams snaps last year. Cameron Mitchell was a 5th-round pick last year who also got a lot of work on special teams. D’Anthony Bell also played a core role on special teams and figures to grow in that this coming season.
Overall Roster Thoughts
One thing the Browns will want to make sure they do with this quality of roster is figure out how to extend that quality onto the practice squad while also maximizing the value of players they’ve invested in. They’re not going to get a 3rd-round pick back for wide receiver David Bell. They’re not going to get a 3rd-round pick back for Siaki Ika. So how can they get value for those guys in trades knowing they’re not likely going to be able to sneak them onto the practice squad?
Again, these are unenviable decisions facing general manager Andrew Berry and head coach Kevin Stefanski. There are other quality players all over the roster who will be coveted by other NFL teams ready to pounce as soon as they hit waivers. Training camp and preseason games will help the Browns make the right decisions when it comes to the 53 and they are one of a select few NFL teams that will be able to withstand a high level of poaching.
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