Detailed Browns Opening Day Roster Projection
The Cleveland Browns have made significant investments to upgrade their talent in free agency and most recently the NFL Draft. With mounting pressure to contend this season, it's a good opportunity to look at the state of the roster to see what else needs to be done before training camp.
This roster breakdown and these projections are based on what the roster looks like right now, at the time of this article's publishing. There were no specific hypothetical players added to the position groups, though if the team should or could add a player there, it was mentioned in the "Position notes" section.
Quarterbacks
Returning players: Deshaun Watson, Kellen Mond, Joshua Dobbs
Free agency: None
Trade: None
NFL Draft: Dorian Thompson-Robinson
Projected amount of 53-man roster spots: 3
Projected to be on 53-man roster: Deshaun Watson, Joshua Dobbs, Dorian Thompson-Robinson
Position notes: The team selected Dorian Thompson-Robinson in the 5th round of the 2023 NFL Draft. This more than likely means that the team is planning on keeping three quarterbacks on the active roster unless they choose to take a $2M hit by releasing Joshua Dobbs. If he can clear waivers, Kellen Mond should be retained on the practice squad.
Running Backs
Returning Players: Nick Chubb, Jerome Ford, Demetric Felton Jr., John Kelly Jr., Nate McCrary
Free agency: Hassan Hall (UDFA)
Trade: None
NFL Draft: None
Projected amount of 53-man roster spots: 3
Projected to be on 53-man roster: Nick Chubb, Jerome Ford, 3rd running back isn't on the current roster.
Position notes: The team oddly chose not to acquire another running back in free agency so far or via the draft. It appears that they are confident in Jerome Ford's potential at the position as both a change-of-pace runner and pass catcher out of the backfield. Cleveland should add a free agent to the room within the next few weeks because Demetric Felton Jr., Hassan Hall, or John Kelly Jr. don't seem like viable RB3 options.
Wide Receivers
Returning players: Amari Cooper, Donovan Peoples-Jones, David Bell, Anthony Schwartz, Daylen Baldwin, Jaelon Darden, Jakeem Grant, Mike Harley Jr., Michael Woods II, Isaiah Weston
Free agency: Marquise Goodwin
Trade: Elijah Moore
Draft: Cedric Tillman
Projected amount of 53-man roster spots: 6
Projected to be on 53-man roster: Amari Cooper, Elijah Moore, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Cedric Tillman, David Bell, Marquise Goodwin
Position Notes: Elijah Moore, Cedric Tillman, and Marquise Goodwin could end up being just what the passing game needs to reach it's full potential. If the team chooses to keep seven receivers, Jakeem Grant would most likely make the team. Now that Cleveland seems to be keeping three quarterbacks, the wide receiver roster allotment might need to stay at six spots. Michael Woods also gets retained and will be kept on IR for the 2023 season. Jaelon Darden, Daylen Baldwin, Isaiah Weston, and Anthony Schwartz could all be options for the practice squad.
Tight End
Returning players: David Njoku, Harrison Bryant, Zaire Mitchell-Paden
Free agency: Jordan Akins, Thomas Greaney (UDFA)
Trade: None
Draft: None
Projected amount of 53-man roster spots: 3
Projected to be on 53-man roster: David Njoku, Jordan Akins, Harrison Bryant
Position Notes: Jordan Akins brings versatility, experience, and reliability to the position behind David Njoku. Harrison Bryant is a player that could be replaced in order to clear up some cap space if the team needs to, but right now he sticks as TE3. Zaire Mitchell-Paden could be retained on the practice squad.
Offensive Lineman
Returning players: Jedrick Wills Jr., Joel Bitonio, Ethan Pocic, Wyatt Teller, Jack Conklin, James Hudson, Nick Harris, Dawson Deaton, Drew Forbes, Joe Haeg, Tyrone Wheatley Jr., Michael Dunn
Free agency: Wes Martin, Colby Gossett (2nd stint with team)
Trade: None
Draft: Dawand Jones, Luke Wypler
Projected amount of 53-man roster spots: 9
Projected to be on 53-man roster: Jedrick Wills Jr., Joel Bitonio, Ethan Pocic, Wyatt Teller, Jack Conklin, James Hudson, Dawand Jones, Luke Wypler, Michael Dunn
Position Notes: The Browns added OT Dawand Jones and C Luke Wypler in the draft. Jones has the tools and talent to be the left or right tackle of the future, as well as Wypler at center. Cleveland will enter the 2023 season will one of the best offensive line units in the league once again. Nick Harris, Drew Forbes, Colby Gossett, and Tyrone Wheatley Jr. could all be options for the practice squad.
Defensive Lineman
Returning players: Myles Garrett, Alex Wright, Jordan Elliott, Isaiah Thomas, Perrion Winfrey, Tommy Togiai, Roderick Perry II, Michael Dwumfour, Sam Kamara
Free agency: Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Dalvin Tomlinson, Maurice Hurst, Trysten Hill, Lonnie Phelps (UDFA), Jeremiah Martin (UDFA)
Trade: Za'Darius Smith
Draft: Siaki Ika, Isaiah McGuire
Projected amount of 53-man roster spots: 10
Projected to be on 53-man roster: Myles Garrett, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Dalvin Tomlinson, Siaki Ika, Za'Darius Smith, Isaiah McGuire, Maurice Hurst, Alex Wright, Perrion Winfrey, Jordan Elliott
Position Notes: The additions of Dalvin Tomlinson and Siaki Ika at defensive tackle were huge (no pun intended), as well as Ogbonnia Okoronkwo and Za'Darius Smith at defensive end. Cleveland's defensive line has been revamped for Jim Schwartz's wide-9 scheme so, hopefully, massive improvement takes place. Lonnie Phelps is a talented UDFA prospect that should compete with Isaiah Thomas for the final spot in the defensive end room, if the team decides to keep six edge players. The Browns could add one more veteran defensive tackle to the mix before the season arrives as well. Trysten Hill, Lonnie Phelps, Tommy Togiai, Isaiah Thomas, and Roderick Perry II could all be practice squad options.
Linebackers
Returning players: Anthony Walker Jr., Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Jacob Phillips, Tony Fields II, Sione Takitaki, Jordan Kunaszyk, Storey Jackson
Free agency: Matthew Adams, Mohamoud Diabate (UDFA), Charlie Thomas (UDFA)
Trade: None
Draft: None
Projected amount of 53-man roster spots: 6
Projected to be on 53-man roster: Anthony Walker Jr., Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Jacob Phillips, Tony Fields II, Matthew Adams, Jordan Kunaszyk
Position Notes: Sione Takitaki should begin the season on the P.U.P. list while recovering from his torn ACL. As long as this group stays healthy, and with the new mammoth-sized additions to the defensive line, this linebacker group should be much improved in 2023. Based on the fact that Cleveland might be a more Nickel-heavy defense going forward, there might be a chance that they only keep five linebackers. In that case, Matthew Adams might be the odd man out. Storey Jackson, Mohamoud Diabate, and Charlie Thomas III could be options for the practice squad.
Cornerbacks
Returning players: Denzel Ward, Greg Newsome II, Martin Emerson Jr., A.J. Green, Thomas Graham Jr.
Free agency: Mike Ford, Caleb Biggers (UDFA)
Trade: None
Draft: Cameron Mitchell
Projected amount of 53-man roster spots: 6
Projected to be on 53-man roster: Denzel Ward, Greg Newsome II, Martin Emerson Jr., A.J. Green, Cameron Mitchell, Mike Ford
Position Notes: The Browns are heading into the year with an excellent group of cornerbacks, and it's going to be interesting to see who ends up starting in the slot. Greg Newsome II seems to have warmed up to the idea of possibly playing in the slot again, but if not, Mike Ford and Cameron Mitchell should be the next best options. Thomas Graham Jr. and Caleb Biggers might be options for the practice squad.
Safeties
Returning players: Grant Delpit, D'Anthony Bell, Bubba Bolden
Free agency: Juan Thornhill, Rodney McLeod, Ronnie Hickman (UDFA), Tanner McCalister (UDFA)
Trade: None
Draft: None
Projected amount of 53-man roster spots: 4
Projected to be on 53-man roster: Juan Thornhill, Grant Delpit, Rodney McLeod, Ronnie Hickman
Position Notes: Ronnie Hickman was a somewhat highly-rated player that surprisingly went undrafted, so he was a great pickup for Cleveland. Juan Thornhill should end up being a fairly large upgrade over John Johnson III in terms of overall coverage ability. Rodney McLeod was a great addition to the team as well, because now they could be 100% confident in retaining Ronnie Hickman. If something were to happen to Thornhill or Delpit, McLeod has experience at both free and strong safety in the NFL. He also provides depth in the slot as well. Tanner McCalister is an exciting UDFA prospect that has a chance to stick if the team keeps five safeties. Bubba Bolden, D'Anthony Bell, and Tanner McCalister could all be practice squad options.
Special Teams
Returning players: Cade York, Corey Bojorquez, Charley Hughlett
Free agency: Joseph Charlton
Trade: None
Draft: None
Projected amount of 53-man roster spots: 3
Projected to be on 53-man roster: Cade York, Corey Bojorquez, Charley Hughlett
Position Notes: Hopefully Cade York is more consistent in 2023. Joseph Charlton could be an option for the practice squad.
