Taking a look at the players who will make the final roster and see significant time on the field for the Cleveland Browns in 2016.
The Cleveland Browns begin training camp on July 29 with the team’s first fresh start since coming back to Cleveland in 1999.
Rookies and veterans will be competing for the chance to represent the Hue Jackson-led Browns in a season with low but also unknown expectations. A relatively new roster will take the field in 2016, so anywhere from two to eight wins is a possible outcome.
It is too early to begin speculating about each game on the schedule, but it is time to look at the players who will be competing in those games
The roster is highlighted by quarterback Robert Griffin III, but rookies like wide receiver Corey Coleman and quarterback Cody Kessler will be drawing some attention when training camp begins next week in Berea.
The influx of rookies and free agents creates a roster with many new faces and a depth chart with some first-time starters. We here at Dawg Pound Daily have you covered as we will go through our depth chart predictions for the offense and defense.
Let’s start with the offense and the most focused on position in all of Cleveland sports.
Next: The Quarterbacks
The Cleveland Browns were expected to select either Jared Goff or Carson Wentz with the second overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. That was until the team signed Robert Griffin III in March and subsequently traded out of the No. 2 spot.
Griffin came to town as the presumptive starter, and it appears he will indeed begin the season as the starting quarterback in Cleveland.
He did not play in a single regular season game in 2015, so he should enter this year as healthy as ever. Browns fans just hope that continues to be true as the season progresses.
Behind Griffin on the depth chart is Josh McCown, who began 2015 as the starter before being injured on the first offensive drive of the season. The 37-year-old is a solid quarterback and he can be of great help to this team on the sidelines.
McCown can mentor both Griffin and Cody Kessler, with the latter opening the season as the third quarterback on the depth chart.
Kessler was drafted in the third round, but he is not likely to be the team’s quarterback of the future. If Griffin performs poorly and the Browns finish with a bad record once again, a high draft pick will allow the team to select a top college quarterback. If he does well, he should be the starter once again next season.
But before we look too far ahead, the Browns will once again open a season with a new starting quarterback in Griffin.
Next: The Running Backs
The running back position seemed rather solidified at the beginning of the month with both Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson Jr. prepared to be clear favorites to take up most of the carries.
Then Crowell shared an offensive picture on Instagram and his immediate future with the team is still unknown. But as of right now, he is poised to be the team’s leading rusher in 2016, while Johnson will be featured more in the passing game.
Crowell finished 2015 with 706 yards and four of the team’s five rushing touchdowns. If he does not have to serve any type of suspension for his social media post, he should be able to eclipse that mark in 2016. Crowell can do that because Johnson should have less carries and more receptions this year.
Johnson had 105 carries in 2015, but had 61 receptions, which gave him the third-most on the team. With the young receiving corps and more attention likely being paid to tight end Gary Barnidge, Johnson will be relied upon to be a major factor as a receiver. He will still receive carries, but his total will likely be under 100.
Glenn Winston, Raheem Mostert and Terrell Watson will be competing for the third spot, but one of them may see a great deal of action if Crowell is suspended.
Given the current situation where Crowell is not suspended, he will open the season as the top back on the depth chart, with Johnson right behind him in the second spot.
Next: The Receivers
The wide receiver position was given a facelift by the Browns during the draft. Four wide receivers were selected in an attempt to breathe some life into a position group that has struggled for so long in Cleveland.
Last year’s leading receiver, Travis Benjamin, is now a member of the San Diego Chargers, while veteran Brian Hartline is still a free agent after being released by the Browns.
The team’s best receiver heading into this season is rookie Corey Coleman, who projects to be the top receiver on the depth chart. Behind him is veteran Andrew Hawkins, who missed part of last season with injuries.
Coleman was selected No. 15 overall by the Browns and was brought in to be the number one receiver. He hauled in 20 receiving touchdowns in 2015 as a member of the Baylor Bears, which led to him being named the Biletnikoff Award winner as the nation’s top receiver.
Fellow rookie Jordan Payton should also see a lot of time on the field in 2016. He was selected in the fifth round, but his 78 catches for 1,105 yards in 2015 show he is a go-to receiver for any quarterback.
The players rounding out the group should include Terrelle Pryor, Taylor Gabriel and either Ricardo Louis or Rashard Higgins, who are both rookies.
Pryor seems to have gained the respect of Hue Jackson, but no one is safe on a roster with so many receivers at the start of camp. The only sure spots are held by both Coleman and Hawkins, with the rest of the receiving depth chart being open to competition.
Coleman will be the number one receiver, while Hawkins will fill the number two role. For the sake of projections, Payton will back up Coleman, while Pryor will be a deep threat who will earn time behind Hawkins. Higgins should also be able to find some time on the field in certain situations, meaning Louis is the odd rookie out.
Next: The Tight Ends
Along with left tackle, the starting tight end may be the most solidified spot on this year’s roster. Gary Barnidge will once again be the team’s top option in the tight end slot after a career year in 2015.
He finished 2015 with 1,043 receiving yards for nine touchdowns, making him the top receiver on the roster. He flourished in the midst of a rather terrible offense, and should be able to have even more success with Hue Jackson at the helm.
Barnidge will also be helped by the fact the Browns brought in skilled, rookie receivers who will be threats on the field. The focus will not solely be on Barnidge, which will open up the field for him in the passing game.
The two likely players to back up Barnidge are E.J. Bibbs and rookie Seth DeValve, who played receiver in college. DeValve may have the better chance as he is a draft pick of this current regime, but he still must earn the job over Bibbs in training camp.
DeValve’s reputation as more of a pass catcher than a blocker may lead to him having an advantage over Bibbs, as he can come in for Barnidge and give the offense a similar look.
With Barnidge as the obvious favorite at the top spot on the depth chart, look for DeValve to win the backup job out of camp and be the team’s second tight end.
Next: The Left Tackles
With all the roster turnover since 2007, the Browns have been fortunate enough to have one player start at the left tackle position for the last nine years. Joe Thomas is not only one of the best players in team history, but also one of the best in league history.
Thomas has not missed one snap in his nine-year career, solidifying himself as the face of the franchise. He will once again enter 2016 as the starting left tackle, with talk of his backup being only a formality.
Thomas has played through injuries throughout his entire career, but he has never once asked to come out, even when the season was already lost. That kind of dedication to the team will land Thomas in the NFL Hall of Fame as soon as he is eligible.
But even with the consistency, there is always need for a backup plan. Right now, rookie Shon Coleman seems to be next in line in case the worst happened and Thomas needed to miss some time.
Coleman will be in a battle for the right tackle position, but Alvin Bailey has a better shot to win the starting spot, at least right now. Coleman can serve as the reserve tackle for both positions, with a much better chance of getting in on the right side because of Thomas’ consistency as a starter.
Next: The Left Guards
There is a great deal of change on offense for the Browns, but left guard is another position that will see a familiar face in the starting role.
Joel Bitonio will get the nod as the starter at the beginning of the season, while Austin Pasztor will serve as the backup.
Bitonio was drafted with the No. 35 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft by the Browns and has been a consistent starter when healthy, starting 26 games in his first two seasons. As long as he can stay healthy in 2016, the left side of the Browns offensive line should be considered one of the best in the league.
If health is an issue, Pasztor can step in and provide some help. He played in all 16 games last year and started four. The 6-foot-7 Pasztor has the ability to play both guard positions, and could even slide in at a tackle slot if needed. He was claimed off waivers last season and remains one of the few smart moves from an otherwise lost front office.
Bitonio will open the season as starter, but if he is injured or his production begins to fall, expect Pasztor to get a chance to prove himself.
Next: The Centers
Second-year player Cameron Erving will be the starting center in 2016. Fans may cringe when hearing his name after watching him play last season, but it was clear he was playing out of position.
Erving was drafted to play center and clearly was unable to hold his own at the other positions along the line. But he has come out and said he has gained weight, which should be a good first step in helping him be a suitable replacement for Alex Mack.
The position has no clear backup for Erving, with right guard John Greco being the emergency replacement. Erving is being trusted with the role in 2016, but an injury can serve to dismantle a relatively well-constructed offensive line.
Greco would have to slide over to the center position, while rookie Spencer Drango would have to slide into the right guard spot, which he is expected to overtake sometime in the near future.
For now, Erving is the center and will have a chance to prove himself to the new coaching staff. If he struggles like he did last season, expect the Browns to draft a center early on in the 2017 draft. Fans are used to the consistent play of Mack, so lackluster performances by Erving will not be tolerated. But he has the benefit of having Greco as an emergency backup, so it will take a lot to remove Erving from the starting role in 2016.
Next: The Right Guards
As mentioned on the last slide, John Greco should break camp as the starting right guard. Greco has had his struggles, but he will hold down the job until rookie Spencer Drango is ready to take over, if that moment ever comes.
The three-year starter was acquired by the Browns in 2012 and has been a reliable starter, even if his skills are waning.
The 31-year-old will be backed up by Drango, who was drafted by the Browns in the fifth round. He also has the ability to play tackle, standing 6-foot-6, but his best shot to play right away would be as a guard. The only way he will see consistent playing time this year will be if Greco gets injured or has to fill in for Erving at the center position.
His chances of playing depends on how he performs in training camp and in the preseason, as he could outplay Greco and be next in line to start early on in the season if Greco has a bad game.
Greco will have pressure to perform well, but that is always a good thing, especially when this team is looking to move forward with players who will help the team compete for a playoff berth in the near future.
Next: The Right Tackles
The departure of Mitchell Schwartz this offseason seemed to leave a gaping hole for the Browns at the right tackle position.
But the signing of former Seattle Seahawks lineman Alvin Bailey gives the team a solid replacement in 2016. He emerged as the favorite in OTAs and comes into camp as the starter at the right tackle position.
His backup will be rookie Shon Coleman, who has a chance to compete for the starting job both in training camp and throughout the season. If the team never signed Bailey, Coleman would be the presumptive starter, but it is smarter to allow the rookie to learn behind others while he figures out the speed and intricacies of the NFL.
He is best known for overcoming cancer as a player at Auburn, but he is looking to make himself known as an NFL player as well. He will have that chance once he takes some time to learn the game.
Allowing rookies to learn the game is something that most successful teams do, but something the Browns have been bad with in the recent past. The Hue Jackson era should help the team take the mold of a contender by building and developing through the draft. Coleman is an example of this, as he will have time to learn behind Bailey and prepare to be a starter.
Next: The Defensive Line
Like the majority of teams in today’s NFL, the Cleveland Browns don’t simply play what traditionalists consider a straight 3-4 or 4-3 defense.
Instead, the Browns defense will be a hybrid under defensive coordinator Ray Horton, who is back in town after two seasons with the Tennessee Titans. Horton will attempt to mix-and-match his defensive personnel depending on the down and the distance.
“We’re going to work hard — we’ll have fun — but we’re going to work hard and the guys have bought into that.” – Defensive line coach Robert Nunn
Knowing that, the base defense that the Browns will operate out of will be primarily a 3-4 set, so for our purposes here we will build the two-deep defensive roster with the Browns in that alignment, starting with the defensive line.
The depth chart along the defensive front was hit hard recently when defensive end Desmond Bryant, the team’s best defensive lineman, was lost for the year with a torn pectoral muscle.
The most likely candidate to take over Bryant’s starting role is second-year player Xavier Cooper, who played in 14 games as a rookie, finishing with 19 tackles and 1.5 sacks while seeing more playing time as the year went along. Even before Bryant went down with his injury, Cooper was heading to training camp with a starter’s role on his mind.
At the other defensive end will be John Hughes, who has only made 10 starts in his four years with the Browns, but is the veteran among the position group. Hughes is a nice player to have on the roster, but it remains to be seen if he can hold up in the starter’s role.
Danny Shelton is a lock to start at nose tackle, but that doesn’t mean there are not questions surrounding the team’s first-round draft pick in 2015. Shelton gave it his best as a rookie, but wore down as the season went along as his weight increased to an estimated 365 pounds — well above his ideal playing weight of around 340 pounds. Shelton worked hard in the off-season to get in better shape, dropping around 30 pounds, giving him a better chance at being the disruptive three-down tackle the Browns desperately need.
The second unit should consist of Jamie Meder, who is a solid back-up to Shelton; and rookie Carl Nassib, who will be utilized on passing downs in an attempt to terrorize quarterbacks at the NFL level the same way he did at Penn State, where he posted 15.5 sacks last season.
As for the other defensive end, it will be a training camp battle with Dylan Wynn the early favorite, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if the front office is keeping an eye on the waiver wire for short-term veteran help as the season approaches.
“We have a way we do it, a way we’re going to do things and a way we’re going to react to things,” defensive line coach Robert Nunn told the team’s website. “We’re going to work hard — we’ll have fun — but we’re going to work hard and the guys have bought into that.”
Next: The Outside Linebackers
Paul Kruger has one of the starting spots on lockdown, but who will line up opposite him remains very much too be determined.
Kruger had a career year in 2014 with 11 sacks, but fell off to just two last season as he was mysteriously asked to fill the cover linebacker role far too often by former defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil. While Kruger was not very impressive the last time he played under Horton, he should be able to come closer to his 2014 production than the numbers he put up last fall.
“They understand the importance of that position and that role. They’re competing with each other.” – Outside linebackers coach Ryan Slowik
Behind Kruger will be second-year linebacker Nate Orchard, who appeared in 15 games as a rookie, posting three sacks. Orchard has one distinctive skill — rushing the passer — but is overmatched against the run, so he will most likely only see the field in passing situations. Orchard will also be auditioning for a starter’s role in 2017, when Kruger will be entering the final year of his contract and can be released without seriously impacting the salary cap.
On the other side the Browns will be looking at a combination of Barkevious Mingo, who did not have his fifth-year option picked up by the team, and second-round draft pick Emmanuel Ogbah, who will be making the transition from college defensive end to NFL outside linebacker.
Mingo has never been the pass-rushing threat that the Joe Banner-Mike Lombardi regime mistakenly drafted him to be, but he is a decent run defender and uses his athleticism as a solid coverage linebacker.
On passing downs it should be Ogbah’s time to show why the Browns selected him at the top of the second round. The Browns will probably be happy for this year if Ogbah can help provide a consistent pass rush, but longterm they will need him to show he can be a three-down linebacker.
There should also be plenty of times where both Ogbah and Mingo are on the field together, as Ogbah can put his hand on the ground as a 4-3 end on passing situations with Mingo lining up behind him with the ability to either be an additional rusher or drop back into coverage.
“Right now, it’s all about competition,” outside linebackers coach Ryan Slowik told the team’s website. “That’s a decision that they are making for themselves. They understand the importance of that position and that role. They’re competing with each other. That’ll play out.”
Next: The Inside Linebackers
The Browns will have new starters at both inside linebacker positions after seeing Karlos Dansby and Craig Robertson leave in free agency.
In their place will be free-agent signee Demario Davis and third-year linebacker Christian Kirksey.
“As an inside linebacker, the more opportunities we have to tackle and practice physical, we want to do that.” – Inside linebackers coach Johnny Holland
Davis comes to Cleveland after being a full-time starter for the New York Jets the past three seasons, but saw his playing time dwindle in the second half of the 2015 season due to his continued troubles with pass coverage. He finished the 2015 season with 90 tackles, two sacks and two passes defensed. In four years in New York, Davis had 349 tackles, 6.5 sacks and eight passes defensed in 51 starts.
Kirksey is a solid, if nondescript, player who has made 13 starts in his two seasons with the Browns. He doesn’t do anything particularly well, but the coaching staff is hopeful that they can utilize his athleticism in coverage and as an occasional pass rusher.
On the second unit will be Justin Tuggle and rookie Joe Schobert.
Tuggle signed with the Browns as a free agent from the Houston Texans, where he appeared in 42 games, making 11 starts, posting 52 tackles, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and one interception, while adding 19 tackles on special teams.
Schobert, who may also see time at outside linebacker, is a player that many Browns fans are eager to see on the field. A Second Team All-American and the Big Ten Linebacker of the Year in 2015 after finishing among the nation’s leaders in sacks (9.5) and tackles for loss (19.5), Schobert seems like an ideal fit for a defense lacking playmakers and run stoppers. But he lasted until the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft, so it is fair to wonder if he will be able to duplicate his college success at the NFL level.
“In order to be an inside linebacker or a defensive player period, you have to be physical. In order to be physical, you have to practice being physical,” inside linebacker coach Johnny Holland told the team’s website. “You can’t just be physical overnight and get into a game and be physical. As an inside linebacker, the more opportunities we have to tackle and practice physical, we want to do that.”
Next: The Cornerbacks
If there is one area on the defense where the starters are not a question mark it would be a cornerback. Although this being the Browns even that comes with a caveat.
Joe Haden is still recovering from off-season ankle surgery after appearing in just five games in 2015. Haden has said he expects to be ready for the season, which if true puts him back in the No. 1 cornerback slot and allows Tramon Williams to move back into his more comfortable No. 2 role.
“The more guys we have that can compete and be ready to play for us, the better off we will be in the long run.” – Defensive backs coach Louie Cioffi
Williams did his best in Haden’s absence last season, but after nine years in the league, he is no longer up to the task of covering the opposing team’s top wide receiver for an entire game.
If Haden goes down with an injury, or age continues to catch up with Williams, the Browns have more options at cornerback than seems possible.
First up among the reserves is Pierre Desir, who appeared in 14 games last season, and Jamar Taylor, a draft-day acquisition who spent the past three seasons with the Miami Dolphins. He appeared in 33 games for Miami, totaling 82 tackles and zero interceptions. Charles Gaines, who made four starts as a rookie, and Trey Caldwell, a fifth-round draft choice this year, will also be in the mix as the Browns look for someone who can give them reliable depth at the position.
While there are some Browns fans who still cling to the fantasy that Justin Gilbert, a first-round selection in 2014, will somehow transform into a Pro Bowl corner under Ray Horton, the reality of training camp and the preseason will tell a different tale. Gilbert will make the final roster thanks to his $7.5 million dead cap number, but will once again spend the season as one of the league’s highest-paid kick returners.
When the Browns go to a nickel situation, third-year defensive back K’Waun Williams will be more than capable, providing he rebounds from the concussion that limited him to 13 games last season.
“I’m excited about this group,” defensive backs coach Louie Cioffi told the team’s website. “It’s a very young group with two veterans, really. There’s a lot of opportunity for guys, both at the nickel position and the corner position. The more guys we have that can compete and be ready to play for us, the better off we will be in the long run.”
Next: The Safeties
Just like the inside linebacker position, the Browns will be looking at new starters at both safety positions after releasing Donte Whitner and seeing Tashaun Gipson leave in free agency.
“I think it is going to be a very good competition moving into camp.” – Defensive backs coach Louie Cioffi
Ibraheim Campbell has the inside position to start at strong safety. Campbell played sparingly as a rookie in 2015, but looked impressive in his lone start, when he posted four tackles and looked comfortable in his role in a game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Backing up Campbell will be 2016 draft pick Derrick Kindred, who earned First Team All-Big 12 honors at TCU after recording 87 tackles and intercepting two passes while playing the entire season with a broken collarbone. That toughness, along with his size (5-foot-10 and 207 pounds), makes Kindred a perfect fit for the AFC North.
More from Dawg Pound Daily
- How the Browns could maximize Nick Chubb in 2023
- Can Deshaun Watson get to Patrick Mahomes level for Cleveland Browns?
- 3 Cleveland Browns who should see an expanded role in 2023 and 1 who should not
- Is Marcus Davenport on the Browns radar in 2023?
- 5 Free agents from Super Bowl LVII Cleveland Browns should target
Jordan Poyer will look to hold off Rahim Moore for the starting free safety position. Poyer has only made four starts in his NFL career, but the Browns have liked what they’ve seen of him so far.
The Browns signed Moore in free agency as insurance for Poyer, but based on Moore’s play in 2015, that is an insurance policy the team may not want to cash. Moore was benched after starting six games for the Texans last year, and was inactive for the final nine regular-season games and Houston’s lone playoff game, because his tackling, pursuit angles, coverage and biting on play-action fakes were all reportedly “glaring issues.”
“I have confidence in both (Campbell and Poyer),” Cioffi said. “I was fortunate enough to coach Campbell at the Senior Bowl when he was a rookie so we have some history together. I’ve also been around Poyer during my last stop here [in 2013]. They’ve both been in our system before. They’ve done everything that we have asked them up to this point. I think it is going to be a very good competition moving into camp.”
Next: Josh Gordon's return not imminent
Competition is a word that Browns fans will hear often during training camp and the preseason as the team looks to work numerous young players into the defensive rotation. Whether or not it turns out to be “good competition” remains to be seen.