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

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CLEVELAND, OH – DECEMBER 23: Chris Smith #50 of the Cleveland Browns reacts after making a tackle during the first half against the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

3. Chris Smith, Defensive End

It could be argued that Cleveland is really high on defensive end Chris Smith, which they probably are. After adding Olivier Vernon in their trade with the Giants, they ended up trading away Emmanuel Ogbah. They also released Carl Nassib last season, which makes it two years in a row they let capable defensive ends go rather than use them as reserves.

This speaks to what Smith brings, but the Browns are still hoping for there to be some competition here as well. In 2018, they spent a third-round pick on Chad Thomas out of Miami. He hardly saw the field as a rookie but John Dorsey is still a believer that he can be a factor going forward. Not only will Thomas get every opportunity to prove he deserves more snaps this season, but Genard Avery could be an option as well.

A fifth-round pick out of Memphis last season, Avery performed well as an edge rusher last year. He ended the season with 40 tackles and 4.5 sacks which makes him a favorite to replace Jamie Collins this season. However, with the team adding several linebackers in free agency and the draft, there’s a chance they see Avery’s future being closer to the line of scrimmage.

Like Stanton, Smith may not necessarily be in danger of losing his roster spot, but he could end up missing out on snaps as some of the younger players earn their opportunities.

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