Browns Opening Day Roster Projection: 4 Weeks From Regular Season
Partly a function of some players stepping up given opportunities, but largely a result of injuries, the expected opening day roster for the Cleveland Browns has experienced some changes. The offensive side has had the most change from the expected roster while the defensive side has remained pretty steady since the signing of a starting caliber defensive tackle was expected.
There are some pivot points on this projection that could make things interesting. First, it seems unlikely but is nevertheless possible the Browns could trade Joshua Dobbs before the start of the season, which would free up a roster spot to be used elsewhere. That seems more likely to occur ahead of the trade deadline if its going to happen at all since Dobbs does provide value to the Browns both as a backup and as a mentor to the rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson.
The expectation is that Jerome Ford will be back for week one, currently dealing with a hamstring injury. To this point, the Browns have resisted going after a bigger name veteran. Demetric Felton has a specific role that fits the offense, which might give him the edge, but a waiver wire pickup can't be ruled out when everyone has to cut down their rosters at once.
Without having a specific timeline for Marquise Goodwin, it's prudent to expect the Browns keep him on the non-football list as he continues his treatment to eliminate blood clots.
Jaelon Darden might have a shot to make the roster in a similar role, but he's been hurt. Meanwhile, Austin Watkins Jr. keeps turning heads at practice and his play in the preseason, but it would certainly help if he's able to find a role on special teams. The Browns could put someone on the practice squad like Mike Harley Jr. to give them additional slot depth to balance out the roster. He could also be someone the Browns look to flip for another player or conditional pick.
The back injury to Drew Forbes is another concern. Forbes looked good in his one preseason appearance, but it's another injury with no timeline. It wouldn't be a major surprise if the Browns attempt some roster shenanigans with him to get him on injured reserve to start the season.
That would allow them to keep both Nick Harris and Luke Wypler. It's also noteworthy the Browns had Wypler play some left guard against the Washington Commanders in preseason next to Harris at center. It wasn't great (I don't think he's a guard), but that might be the Browns dipping their toe in the water just in case. Harris has been effective in the lineup at center and with Michael Dunn able to be the primary backup to both guard spots. The Browns could keep Harris and Wypler unless a team makes an enticing trade offer for Harris.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Alex Wright and Isaiah Thomas injuries complicate matters. Wright will be kept on the roster when the team makes roster cuts, so they can put him on injured reserve. Maybe Thomas will get an injury settlement and be waived with a hope he can return later, but they could keep both initially.
Jeremiah Washington might be the most prepared of the players on the roster bubble to make an immediate impact where the Browns need it, but he's not better than Maurice Hurst right now. Both are likely to be released initially, but Hurst will likely re-sign to the active roster when the dust settles from the initial roster moves. Washington could make it to the practice squad and be a gameday activation. So much of this depends on how much time the team truly expects Alex Wright to miss. Hurst could eventually end up on the Browns practice squad, but that is more likely to happen after rosters across the league have become more concrete.
It's certainly a surprise to project six defensive tackles on this roster, but that may be the best play. Otherwise, the Browns could end up keeping nine defensive lineman in order to protect another player.
The Browns have an interesting relationship with linebackers. The front office has actively used the practice squad as depth for the position, able to get production there when pressed by injuries. It's become part of the roster planning.
As it stands, the Browns are likely only keep five, then proceed to try to get rookies Mohamoud Diabate and Charlie Thomas III to the practice squad for both depth at linebacker and special teams. If they end up going elsewhere, the Browns will just find other guys with the same intention.
The Browns have their top five corners in Denzel Ward, Greg Newsome II, Martin Emerson Jr., A.J. Green III and Cameron Mitchell. They signed Mike Ford Jr. with the expressed intention to utilize him on special teams. Unless there's an injury, there's little reason to expect a change. None of the depth corners have set themselves apart to this point either.
That leaves four spots at safety and three of them are spoken for with Grant Delpit, Juan Thornhill and Rodney McLeod. D'Anthony Bell is a good special teams player, but is limited in what he can offer as depth. The Browns will probably hope they can get him to the practice squad. Ronnie Hickman is more ready to step in and play and it seems unlikely he'd make it through waivers, but this is another spot where the answer might not currently be on the roster.
As much as critics want the Browns to act on kicker, the team hasn't blinked in their support of Cade York. Kevin Stefanski and Bubba Ventrone to this point seem intent on coaching him up and don't want to use a roster spot on a contrived competition. If a move were to happen, it would likely come when teams make cuts. The Browns could invite a handful of them at once and have them compete in a tryout before then picking York's replacement.
