CLEVELAND, Ohio — With the NFL Draft and free agency in the books, the Browns’ roster is pretty well set for 2021. They’ll add some players here and there, but for the most part, their 53-man roster will come from the current crop of 90.
They added depth to their offense by drafting speedy receiver Anthony Schwartz in the third round, tackle James Hudson in the fourth, and running back Demetric Felton in the sixth, but for the most part, they’re running it back with the 2020 offense that hit its stride in the second half of the season and became explosive down the stretch.
While 2020 was their year to upgrade the offense, 2021 was the defense’s turn, and it proved to be a massive overhaul that will likely feature nine new starters this season. The only two guaranteed returning starters are Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward.
The Browns have added more than 15 players on defense this season, including big-name veterans such as John Johnson and Jadeveon Clowney. They could still add one more if they bring defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson back, which is a possibility.
Overall, the Browns added more speed, versatility and quality depth to a team that finished 11-5 and lost to the Chiefs in the divisional round. It’s a roster built to go the distance this year and get past the Chiefs, Bills and Ravens en route to the Super Bowl.
Here’s a look at the 2021 Browns:
QUARTERBACKS
Returning: Baker Mayfield, Case Keenum, Kyle Lauletta
Signed as free agents: None.
Drafted: None.
Depth chart: Mayfield will start and Keenum will be the backup. Lauletta could be on the practice squad again.
Outlook: Mayfield is expected to take another big step in his second season in Kevin Stefanski’s system after throwing 20 touchdowns against only three interceptions in his final 12 games, including playoffs. He climbed from 31st in the NFL in 2019 with a 78.8 rating to 15th in 2020 at 95.9, and was the second highest-rated quarterback over the final seven games of the season, trailing only Patrick Mahomes, according to Pro Football Focus. If he plays well from the jump, he could be a top 7 or 8 QB this season.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Returning: Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins, Donovan Peoples-Jones, JoJo Natson, KhaDarel Hodge, Ja’Marcus Bradley, Alexander Hollins, Ryan Switzer, Derrick Willies
Signed as free agents: None
Drafted: Anthony Schwartz, 3rd down out of Auburn
Depth Chart: Starters will be Beckham and Landry. Higgins, Peoples-Jones, Hodge and Schwartz will vie for the No. 3 spot, and they’ll alternate them depending on the opponent.
Outlook: The Browns should have one of the league’s best receiving corps with Beckham coming back from his torn ACL. He and Landry are more than capable of 1,000-yard seasons again. Peoples-Jones, a sixth-round pick last season, earned more playing time and Higgins is always Mr. Reliable for Mayfield. With Schwartz’ 4.25 speed, the Browns will find ways to get him on the field. It remains to be seen whether Natson will make the team.
RUNNING BACKS
Returning: Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, D’Ernest Johnson, John Kelly
Signed as free agents: Tre Harbison signed as an undrafted rookie out of Charlotte.
Drafted: Demetric Felton, sixth-round, UCLA
Depth Chart: Chubb, Hunt and Felton.
Outlook: The Browns will have arguably the best one-two punch at running back for the second straight season. Chubb finished ninth in the NFL with an 87.2 grade according to PFF and Hunt 31st at 74.0. Now that the Browns have seen them work together for a year, they might be more inclined to use them together more often. If they both stay healthy, 1,000 yards for both is within reach. Felton will serve as the third back, and can also play receiver and return kicks. Johnson could be the odd man out.
FULLBACKS
Returning: Andy Janovich, Johnny Stanton
Signed as free agents: None.
Drafted: None.
Depth chart: Janovich. Stanton could be on the practice squad.
Outlook: Janovich played only 180 of the 1,177 snaps in 2020, but he played well and Stefanski uses a fullback, so he’s a necessity.
TIGHT ENDS
Returning: Austin Hooper, Harrison Bryant, David Njoku, Stephen Carlson, Jordan Franks, Kyle Markway
Signed as free agents: None.
Drafted: None
Depth chart: Hooper will be the No. 1 tight end again, and Njoku and Bryant will likely split duties as the No. 2 depending on the matchup. Carlson will be the fourth option, but has earned more reps with smart, solid play.
Outlook: Hooper should be more productive in 2021 now that he and Mayfield have their chemistry down. Hooper caught only 46 of 65 targets in ’20 for 435 yards and 4 TDs, but is capable of much more. He finished 21st in the NFL according to PFF with 68.3 grade, eight spots ahead of Njoku, who caught only 19 of 29 targets for 213 yards and 2 TDs. The Browns hope Bryant, their fourth-round pick last year, takes a big leap in Year 2.
OFFENSIVE TACKLES
Returning: Jack Conklin, Jedrick Wills Jr., Chris Hubbard, Alex Taylor
Signed as free agents: Greg Senat
Drafted: James Hudson, fourth out of Cincinnati.
Depth Chart: Jack Conklin will start again at right tackle and Jedrick Wills start at left tackle. Hubbard and Hudson will back them up.
Outlook: Conklin earned 1st-team All-Pro honors, which is what the Browns were expecting when they made him their top free-agent target in 2020. He finished 15th among qualifying tackles, according to PFF. Wills, their 2020 No. 10 pick, played well as a rookie, but finished tied for 79th with a 61.5 grade. He was, however, an excellent 22nd in pass-blocking. The Browns are looking for improvement in Year 2.
GUARDS
Returning: Joel Bitonio, Wyatt Teller, Michael Dunn, Drew Forbes, Colby Gossett, Blake Hance, Cordel Iwuagwu
Signed as free agents: None.
Drafted: None.
Depth Chart: Bitonio will start at left guard and Teller at right. The backup spots will be determined in camp.
Outlook: Both are Pro Bowl-caliber guards, but only Bitonio made it last year. The two are part of arguably the league’s best offensive line, but they’ll face stiffer competition this year. Teller was the No. 1 guard according to PFF, but was 48th in pass-blocking. He’ll need to step that up this season.
CENTERS
Returning: JC Tretter, Nick Harris, Javon Patterson
Signed as free agents: None.
Drafted: None.
Depth Chart: Tretter will start and Harris will back him up.
Outlook: Tretter is a top 20 center and an ironman. He finished 12th among centers according to PFF and has started every game since 2017. He had some injuries when he played in Green Bay, but has been durable and rock-solid here.
DEFENSIVE ENDS
Returning: Myles Garrett, Porter Gustin, Curtis Weaver, Joe Jackson, Cameron Malveaux
Signed as free agents: Jadeveon Clowney, Takkarist McKinley, Romeo McKnight (undrafted rookie out of Charlotte)
Drafted: None.
Depth chart: Garrett and Clowney will start, with McKinley as the third end and Gustin likely fourth.
Outlook: A healthy Clowney could bolster the run defense considerably and help take some pressure off Garrett. Both players can play either side or inside and create matchup nightmares. With Clowney on board, Garrett could make another run at NFL Defensive Player of the Year, an award that Clowney also covets. McKinley will be disruptive and get plenty of hits, if not sacks. Weaver, picked up via waivers last year from the Dolphins, will battle Jackson and the others for a roster spot.
DEFENSIVE TACKLES
Returning: Andrew Billings, Jordan Elliott, Sheldon Day, Andrew Billings
Signed as free agents: Malik Jackson, Malik McDowell, Damion Square, Marvin Wilson (undrafted rookie out of Florida State)
Drafted: Tommy Togiai, fourth round, Ohio State.
Depth Chart: Jackson will start and the other spot is up for grabs. Billings might have the inside track because of his experience. Elliott likely heads in as the third tackle, and Togiai will challenge for the fourth spot.
Outlook: The Browns have a lot of bodies and competition heading into camp. If they bring back Sheldon Richardson, he’ll join Jackson in the starting lineup. The Browns have a couple of intriguing young prospects in Wilson and McDowell that they’ll try to keep around. But if they can re-sign Richardson, they should jump at the chance.
LINEBACKERS
Returning: Sione Takitaki, Jacob Phillips, Mack Wilson, Malcolm Smith, Elijah Lee, Montrel Meander
Signed as free agents: Anthony Walker from the Colts.
Drafted: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, second round, Notre Dame; Tony Fields II, fifth-round, West Virginia.
Depth chart: When the Browns are in their base 4-3 defense, the starters will likely be three of these four: Takitaki, Walker, Owusu-Koramoah and Phillips. But starting spots will be up for grabs in camp.
Outlook: The Browns will be in sub-defenses a lot, and depending on how quickly Owusu-Koramoah comes along, he could be one of the two on the field most of the time. The starting and backup positions are more uncertain than most other spots because of the new faces. The Browns have a lot of ‘backers who can cover now in Smith, Walker, Koramoah and Fields. Mack Wilson, who ranked 94th among qualifying linebackers with a 36.2 grade, will have to fight hard to keep his job.
CORNERBACKS
Returning: Denzel Ward, Greedy Williams, MJ Stewart Jr., A.J. Green, Robert Jackson, Brian Allen
Signed as free agents: Troy Hill from the Rams; Kiondre Thomas, undrafted rookie out of Kansas State, Emmanuel Rugamba, undrafted rookie out of Miami (Ohio).
Drafted: Greg Newsome II, first round out of Northwestern.
Depth chart: Ward will start, while Williams and Newsome will battle for the No. 2 job. Hill will be the starting nickel back, with Stewart backing him up. Green has a chance to prove he belongs.
Outlook: The No. 2 job will largely depend on how ready Newsome is and how well Williams comes back from the nerve damage in his shoulder. It will likely be Williams’ job to lose, but first-round picks usually crack the lineup as rookies, and Newsome aims to do just that. The Browns were looking for a big jump from Williams last year as it was, and he’ll have to demonstrate his improvement in camp. Regardless, the Browns need three corners who can start outside, and now they have them.
SAFETIES
Returning: Grant Delpit, Ronnie Harrison Jr., Sheldrick Redwine, Elijah Benton, Jovante Moffatt
Signed as free agents: John Johnson III from the Rams
Drafted: Richard LeCounte III
Depth Chart: Johnson and Delpit will start if Delpit (ruptured Achilles) is healthy. Harrison will serve as the third safety. LeCounte will fight for the No. 4 spot.
Outlook: If Delpit is healthy, he’ll make a formidable duo with Johnson. Rotate Harrison and LeCounte into the mix, and this should be a huge strength. The Browns will also play three safeties a lot in the “big nickel,’’ and they have three bona fide starters. Redwine will have to fight to keep a spot.
SPECIALISTS
Returning: K Cody Parkey, P Jamie Gillan, LS Charley Hughlett
Signed as free agents: None
Draft: None
Outlook: Parkey made all of his kicks in the postseason (eight extra points, three field goals), and that bodes well for his future. The most concerning part of 2020 was four missed extra points. The Browns will likely bring in a camp leg to press him.
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