The Cleveland Browns are one preseason game away from finally preparing for the games that count. It has been a long and interesting preseason with the Browns sitting at 1-2, winning their third preseason game on Saturday versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. We have seen some players play well and others struggle.
After they take the field on Thursday, the real decisions come to fruition as the NFL mandates all teams trim their rosters down to the final 53 players by 4 p.m. on Saturday. The team will have a lot of tough choices to consider. In this feature, I take a look at the roster and predict who will make the Browns final 53-man squad.
(S)= Predicted Starter for the Position
Quarterbacks (2): (S) Josh McCown and Johnny Manziel
I believe the Browns will only take two quarterbacks on their active roster this season. Josh McCown will be the starter; Johnny Manziel will back him up as the second man on the depth chart. With his solid play in the preseason and the injury to Manziel, McCown has solidified himself as the team’s No. 1 guy. Thaddeus Lewis is the only other possible quarterback to make the team, but I believe the Browns will choose to only take two on the roster assuming full health.
Running Backs (3): (S) Isaiah Crowell, (S) Terrance West and Duke Johnson
The Browns will have an interesting decision at running back, deciding whether they will bring more than just these three backs. Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West both had a solid preseason, making the competition for the starting running back very tight. I believe, just like last season, the team will spread carries between these two backs and rookie Duke Johnson. Johnson’s injury has really hampered his start to his career and it has possibly caused the front office to decide to whether they will need to put four running backs on the roster due to the uncertainty of Johnson.
Fullback (1): (S) Malcolm Johnson
The Browns will only bring one fullback onto the active roster and it will most likely be rookie Malcolm Johnson. Johnson’s versatility is a good fit in John DeFilippo’s offense, able to both block and catch the ball out of the backfield.
Tight Ends (3): (S) Gary Barnidge, E.J. Bibbs and Rob Housler
The tight end position is one of the more interesting spots to watch for on cut day. I believe the team will only place three tight ends on the roster, so the battle for three spots will be between Gary Barnidge, E.J. Bibbs, Rob Housler and Jim Dray. I believe Barnidge and Bibbs are solid to make the team, leaving Rob Housler and Jim Dray to fight for the last spot. Barnidge is slated to start, while Bibbs is an interesting prospect who could emerge on the offense. In my opinion, I think Rob Housler will make the squad because of his ability to make plays in the passing game. Dray becomes the first of several tough cuts.
Receivers (7): (S) Brian Hartline, (S) Andrew Hawkins, (S) Dwayne Bowe, Taylor Gabriel, Travis Benjamin, Terrelle Pryor and Marlon Moore
The receiver position is the biggest position up in the air. Brian Hartline, Andrew Hawkins, Dwayne Bowe, Taylor Gabriel and Travis Benjamin are pretty good locks to make the team. The decision will be with the final spot or two on the depth chart. Terrelle Pryor, Marlon Moore, Vince Mayle and Darius Jennings are competing for the chance to make the roster. I believe the Browns will keep Pryor and Moore on the roster, making the total number of receivers on the roster at seven. Pryor is too much of an interesting and physical specimen for the Browns to cut for another player. Moore’s special teams play has earned him a fan in the way of Mike Pettine. Perhaps they can stash Mayle on the practice squad.
David Richard/Associated Press
Offensive Line (7): (S) Joe Thomas, (S) Joel Bitonio, (S) Alex Mack, (S) John Greco, (S) Mitchell Schwartz, Cameron Erving and Andrew McDonald
The offensive line has six locks, with Joe Thomas, Joel Bitonio, Alex Mack, John Greco and Mitchell Schwartz starting and Cameron Erving being the main backup. The only real decision at this position is whether they bring seven linemen and if so, who will be the seventh offensive lineman. With Michael Bowie gone for the season (placed on IR), I believe Andrew McDonald is the only real possibility to be the seventh offensive lineman. The decision for the Browns will either be between McDonald or taking just six lineman.
Defensive Line (8): (S) Danny Shelton, (S) Randy Starks, (S) Desmond Bryant, John Hughes, Armonty Bryant, Xavier Cooper, Jamie Meder and Billy Winn
The defensive line has gained a lot of depth over the offseason, leaving me to believe the Browns will keep eight on the roster, the most of any position. Danny Shelton, Randy Starks, Desmond Bryant, John Hughes, Xavier Cooper and Armonty Bryant are looking pretty good bets to making the squad. With the subtraction of Phil Taylor, Ashland’s own Jamie Meder’s prospects of making the roster also look pretty good. Winn is a very interesting player to watch because he could be left off the roster if they decide to keep just seven defensive linemen, but the staff continues to love his versatility.
Ron Schwane/Associated Press
Outside Linebackers (4): (S) Paul Kruger, (S) Barkevious Mingo, Scott Solomon and Nate Orchard
The outside linebacker position is pretty much set in stone with Paul Kruger, Barkevious Mingo, Scott Solomon and Nate Orchard as the four outside linebackers in line to make it on the squad. Paul Kruger and Barkevious Mingo are expected to start at the two outside linebacker spots. I do not see any other outside linebacker slipping onto the roster.
Inside Linebackers (4): (S) Karlos Dansby, (S) Christian Kirksey, (S) Craig Robertson and Hayes Pullard
The inside linebacker is all set except for the fourth and final spot on the depth chart. Karlos Dansby, Christian Kirksey and Craig Robertson are locks with Dansby starting alongside the rotation of Kirksey and Robertson. The final spot will come down to Hayes Pullard and Tank Carder. I believe Pullard’s youth, athleticism and upside will be the deciding factor for the team to decide to keep him over Carder. But, Carder’s special teams ability makes him a very tough cut for the team to make.
Cornerbacks (7): (S) Joe Haden, (S) Tramon Williams, Pierre Desir, Justin Gilbert, (S) K’Waun Williams, Charles Gaines and Johnson Bademosi
The Browns are pretty deep at cornerback when they are at full strength. Joe Haden, Tramon Williams, Pierre Desir, K’Waun Williams and Justin Gilbert all look pretty good for making the 53-man roster. Charles Gaines’ performance this preseason would give him a spot on the roster, but his injury keeps his status up in the air. The last spot will most likely come down to Johnson Bademosi and Kendall James. I believe Bademosi will ultimately win the final spot on the cornerback depth chart because of his excellent special teams ability. But, the play of Kendall James this preseason could give the coaches some pause before they decide to let him go.
Joshua Gunter, Northeast Ohio Media Group
Safeties (4): (S) Donte Whitner, (S) Tashaun Gipson, Ibraheim Campbell and Jordan Poyer
The safety position is pretty much set in stone with Donte Whitner, Tashaun Gipson, Ibraheim Campbell and Jordan Poyer all looking solid to make the 53-man roster. The only real question will be whether the Browns decide to just bring three safeties into the season. But, I believe Campbell’s performance this preseason will make the Browns keep him and keep four safeties on the roster.
Kicker (1): (S) Travis Coons
The kicking position is not totally set even though Travis Coons is the only remaining kicker on the roster. I believe that Coons will be the starting kicker for the Browns this season, but the team could decide to look elsewhere in the league to find a replacement for Coons.
Punter (1): (S) Andy Lee
Andy Lee is a lock for the starting punter spot. There is no question or uncertainty at this position.
Long Snapper (1): (S) Charley Hughlett
Charley Hughlett is the only long snapper on the roster, so his status on the team seems to be pretty solid. Just like the kicker, though, the Browns could look elsewhere in the league to find a replacement for Hughlett.
