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Cleveland Browns: 5 players who could lose their job in 2019

By Randy Gurzi

CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 20: Bilal Powell #29 of the New York Jets carries the ball in front of Chris Smith #50 of the Cleveland Browns during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 20, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 20: Bilal Powell #29 of the New York Jets carries the ball in front of Chris Smith #50 of the Cleveland Browns during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 20, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WA – DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Drew Stanton #5 of the Arizona Cardinals eludes defensive end Michael Bennett #72 of the Seattle Seahawks in the first half at CenturyLink Field on December 31, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Drew Stanton #5 of the Arizona Cardinals eludes defensive end Michael Bennett #72 of the Seattle Seahawks in the first half at CenturyLink Field on December 31, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) /

4. Drew Stanton, Quarterback

Last season, the Browns offseason plan pointed to them doing everything in their power to keep rookie Baker Mayfield on the bench. The idea was to let him observe from the sidelines and get acclimated to the speed of the game at the NFL level. A big part of that plan was Tyrod Taylor who was added via trade with the Buffalo Bills and slated to start for the entire year.

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Another part of that plan was the signing of veteran Drew Stanton. Adding an experienced backup gave them a player capable of serving as the No. 2 behind Taylor. Of course, we all know now that Mayfield messed that plan up by outperforming Stanton and then supplanting Taylor when he was injured in Week 3.

Even though he ended up falling to No. 3 on the depth chart, Stanton served his purpose for the Browns because he was a good mentor to Mayfield as he learned the ropes. Heading into 2019, Stanton is slated to be the No. 2 now that Taylor headed to Los Angeles to join the Chargers. However, that job could be in jeopardy.

Stanton has competition for the second-string job thanks to the arrival of Garrett Gilbert who was a standout in the short-lived AAF. As the starter for the Orlando Apollos, Gilbert completed 60.6 percent of his passes for 2,152 yards while boasting a 13-to-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

Considering the help he provides Mayfield, Stanton should be fine in terms of the 53-man roster. He just may have to prove he should be on the active gameday roster over the former AAF star.

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