Cleveland Browns: Projecting the 53-man roster
By Shane Carter
Secondary: 9
Jabrill Peppers
Kai Nacua
Channing Stribling
Granted, this list factors in this year’s fourth-round selection, Howard Wilson, who may start the season on the PUP list. He may or may not start there depending on how fast his knee recovers. Haden, Taylor and McCourty will be the first three corners on the depth chart, regardless.
Related: The UDFAs most likely to make the team
In the previous list, I had one undrafted rookie make the squad. This time two surprising undrafted players, Nacua and Stribling, should make the team based on the desperation the team needs in the secondary. Either of these players would’ve been a gift for Cleveland, but both look like they’ll aid in a new secondary.
First-round pick Jabrill Peppers will slot in alongside new safety, Calvin Pryor (depending on where each player will play), to regenerate their safety play. Boddy-Calhoun and Reynolds played well enough from last season to stay and add depth.
Special Teams: 3
Zane Gonzalez
Colquitt comes from a long family tree of guys who played in the NFL as punters, and is in no danger of losing his job.
Charley Hughlett is great story. Undrafted in 2012 out of UCF, signs with the Cowboys, and has been with five different teams, including three stints with New England and is on his second stint in Cleveland. After all that, this offseason, he gets a six-year contract extension. The team has its long snapper and is set.
Next: How many draft picks make the roster?
Finally, there is the competition between Cody Parkey and rookie Zane Gonzalez. Many teams don’t normally draft a kicker, but if you’re going do it, it’s nice to know he won the Groza award. Sorry Cody, it’s Zane’s job to lose.