How many rookies will make the Cleveland Browns final roster?
By Thomas Moore
The Cleveland Browns are working overtime to fix a roster depleted by continual mismanagement in recent years. How many of the team’s draft picks will be part of the solution?
Ever since they took over operations in Berea, Sashi Brown and Hue Jackson have consistently sent the message that things are changing with the Cleveland Browns.
No longer will the team waste high draft picks on over-hyped quarterbacks, or hand out $9 million severance packages to aging veterans in free agency in an attempt to simultaneously rebuild while also believing they can contend.
Rather, the Browns are going all-in on a youth movement in an attempt finally reverse the fortunes of the club.
“We have to continue to work at it. I never said we were going to be a juggernaut today or yesterday.” – Head coach Hue Jackson
It began in free agency with the team parting ways with Donte Whitner, Karlos Dansby, Brian Hartline and Randy Starks, among others.
It continued during the 2015 NFL Draft, when Brown spent the weekend maneuvering the team into a league-high 14 selections.
It neared its culmination, at least for this season, on Monday with the release of linebacker Paul Kruger and the trade of punter Andy Lee.
When the final roster cut downs start coming in after Saturday’s 6 p.m. deadline, the Browns could be down to as few as five players over the age of 30.
While it seemed impossible to envision the Browns holding onto all 14 of their draft picks just a few months ago, the ongoing desire to embrace the younger players to rebuild a roster that has been neglected for years is becoming more likely with each passing day.
So let’s take a quick rundown through the 14 draft picks and determine just who will be on the 53-man roster come Saturday evening.
Next: Locks to make the team - Part 1