Projecting the Browns 53-man roster following Sunday’s preseason finale – cleveland.com

ATLANTA — The Browns wrapped up their preseason on Sunday night and now the focus turns to Kansas City. First, they have to build their roster.

Here’s one last roster projection following the team’s final practice game. I didn’t follow too many rules on this one with one exception: I didn’t cut any players drafted in 2021. It’s one of those things I won’t do until I see the team is willing to do it.

Here’s my guess as to the initial 53-man roster:

Quarterback (2): Case Keenum, Baker Mayfield

The Browns don’t have a need to carry a quarterback on their 53-man roster with the durable Mayfield and reliable Keenum, so the third quarterback will reside on the practice squad.

Running back (4): Nick Chubb, Demetric Felton, Kareem Hunt, D’Ernest Johnson

Originally I kept Johnny Stanton as an H-back, but the reality is Johnson is just too reliable and helps in multiple phases of the game. There has to be a spot for a player like him.

Fullback (1): Andy Janovich

Kevin Stefanski wants a fullback and Janovich is still the man for the job, but …

Tight end (3): Harrison Bryant, Austin Hooper, David Njoku

This number is small, but sometimes you just have to keep better players at other positions. Njoku was one of the risers in camp.

Wide receiver (6): Odell Beckham Jr., Rashard Higgins, Hodge, Jarvis Landry, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Anthony Schwartz

Hodge makes it, but it feels dicey. It’s unclear what Schwartz can give you in the near-term, but it’s about the long game with him.

Davion Davis’ suspension ends up helping both him and the Browns, too. They get to wait until Sept. 20 to make a decision on what to do with him.

Offensive line (9): Joel Bitonio, Jack Conklin, Blake Hance, Nick Harris, Chris Hubbard, James Hudson III, Wyatt Teller, JC Tretter, Jedrick Wills

The line is solid at the top, but the Browns learned firsthand how important depth is here. Hubbard can play tackle and guard while Hance has shown an ability to play center, which gets him on ahead of Michael Dunn.

Defensive ends (4): Jadeveon Clowney, Myles Garrett, Porter Gustin, Takk McKinley

If you’re trying to get Malik McDowell on the roster — and I am — do you keep an extra tackle or replace one of your defensive ends? I went ahead and replaced one of my defensive ends, so there are only four here. I’m banking on some of the versatility of the interior guys.

Defensive tackles (5): Andrew Billings, Jordan Elliott, Malik Jackson, Malik McDowell, Tommy Togiai

McDowell is the X-factor here. The other question is whether the Browns prefer Sheldon Day over Elliott. I’m erring on the side of the young player.

Linebackers (6): Tony Fields II, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Jacob Phillips, Sione Takitaki, Anthony Walker, Mack Wilson

If Fields weren’t a 2021 draft pick, it would be tough to get him on this roster. As mentioned above, I’m following the rule of keeping current draft picks until I have reason not to. I have to get Phillips to the 53 to be able to bring him back off IR later this season, so that’s bad news for Malcolm Smith, who should stay by his phone.

Cornerbacks (6): A.J. Green, Troy Hill, Greg Newsome II, M.J. Stewart, Denzel Ward, Greedy Williams

There’s a nice amount of versatility here. Hill can play inside and out. Newsome is getting cross-trained to play inside. The Browns can hang onto some extra corners on the practice squad and pick over the waiver wire after the cut deadline.

Safety (4): Grant Delpit, Ronnie Harrison Jr., John Johnson III, Richard LeCounte

Banking on the health of Delpit means Sheldrick Redwine gets left out. Keep an eye on a potential short-term IR move if Delpit isn’t ready — he has to get put on the initial 53-man roster first — which could bring back Redwine or open a spot for another safety.

Specialists (3): Jamie Gillan, Charley Hughlett, Chase McLaughlin

McLaughlin won the job when Cody Parkey got hurt, but will the Browns pick over the waiver wire this week?