Cutdown day is vastly nearing, as the Cleveland Brownshave already cut 21 players from their roster. This means they still have 16 cuts to go to get their roster down to 53 players (well, the International Player Pathway designation actually means they have 17 to go, but alas).
So what better time for one more 53-man roster prediction? The Browns have been vocal that they are keeping four quarterbacks, so that will throw a wrench in the plan elsewhere. However, this is a roster that could see a handful of waiver claims or trade candidates to fill key positions still. We will talk about each of those positions as we work through this prediction.
So, let’s dive in!
Quarterbacks (4)
The Browns seem set on keeping all four quarterbacks, so this one was pretty straightforward:
- Joe Flacco
- Kenny Pickett
- Dillon Gabriel
- Shedeur Sanders
Running backs (3)
Pierre Strong likely makes the roster with Quinshon Judkins still unsigned. Mainly because Ahmani Marshall is a practice squad candidate, the Browns might think they can keep both, one way or the other. This is another position where a waiver claim or traded player could come into play.
- Jerome Ford
- Dylan Sampson
- Pierre Strong Jr.
Wide Receiver (6)
Let’s get weird here and give undrafted rookie Gage Larvadain the roster spot over the veteran Diontae Johnson.
- Jerry Jeudy
- Cedric Tillman
- Jamari Thrash
- DeAndre Carter
- Isaiah Bond
- Gage Larvadain
Tight Ends (3)
The Browns are going to keep three tight ends, but I wouldn’t be so shocked if that third one is a waiver claim.
- David Njoku
- Harold Fannin Jr.
- external candidate
Offensive line (10)
There is no controversy here. The only thing to keep an eye on is that the Browns usually roster 10 offensive linemen, and after cutdowns, they are in a position to potentially add one externally.
- Dawand Jones
- Jack Conklin
- Cornelius Lucas
- Joel Bitonio
- Wyatt Teller
- Zak Zinter
- Teven Jenkins
- Ethan Pocic
- Luke Wypler
- External OT
Defensive End (4)
This group is easy to figure out. And it’s pretty good.
- Myles Garrett
- Isaiah McGuire
- Alex Wright
- Joe Tryon-Shoyinka
Defensive tackles (5)
Pretty straightforward here, too. The only surprise could be the release of veteran Shelby Harris.
- Maliek Collins
- Mason Graham
- Mike Hall Jr.
- Shelby Harris
- Adin Huntington (Browns announced he’s already made the team)
Linebackers (6)
While this unit looked to be in flux after the retirement of Jordan Hicks and the announcement that Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah wouldn’t play this season, this unit actually looks pretty solid on paper.
- Carson Schwesinger
- Jerome Baker
- Mohamoud Diabate
- Devin Bush
- Winston Reid
- Easton Mascarenas-Arnold
Cornerbacks (5)
The Browns desperately need a nickel cornerback, so look out for that position specifically to perhaps add a well-known player to the mix.
- Denzel Ward
- Greg Newsome II
- Cam Mitchell
- Myles Harden
- External candidate
Safeties (4)
This room is a bit tough to figure out as the team could opt for a standout rookie free agent like Donovan McMillon over one of the veterans between Rayshawn Jenkins and Damontae Kazee.
- Grant Delpit
- Damontae Kazee
- Ronnie Hickman Jr.
- Donovan McMillon
Specialists (3)
Out with Dustin Hopkins, in with Andre Szmyt!
- K Andre Szmyt
- P Corey Bojorquez
- LS Rex Sunahara
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns 53-man roster projection: Does Shedeur Sanders make the cut?