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Predicting Cleveland Browns 53-man roster after the offseason program

By Dan Justik

CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 04: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns looks on during the National Anthem prior to the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 04: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns looks on during the National Anthem prior to the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 15: Running back Phillip Lindsay #30 of the Denver Broncos is wrapped up by defensive end Myles Garrett #95 of the Cleveland Browns on a first quarter ruch attempt at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on December 15, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 15: Running back Phillip Lindsay #30 of the Denver Broncos is wrapped up by defensive end Myles Garrett #95 of the Cleveland Browns on a first quarter ruch attempt at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on December 15, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

Defensive line (8)

Myles Garrett, Larry Ogunjobi, Sheldon Richardson, Olivier Vernon, Chris Smith, Chad Thomas, Trevon Coley, Daniel Ekuale

Freddie Kitchens said during the team’s mandatory minicamp that he believes the defensive line will be the strength of the team next season. Not just because of the talent with the starting four, but because he thinks there are 10 players who could be contributors. But Kitchens may not be able to carry all 10 of those players onto the final roster.

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Cleveland’s starting front of Garrett, Ogunjobi, Richardson, and Vernon should help improve the defense compared to last season. But not only will they create problems for quarterbacks, but they should dramatically help the team’s run defense.

The questions will come behind the starters, as the Browns struggled with depth along the defensive line last season. There may not be any problems at defensive end, however, as they seem to have a solid group of backups behind Garrett and Vernon.

Despite being listed as a linebacker, Genard Avery spent most of his time at defensive end in the offseason, and was the best edge rusher behind Garrett last season. So he should be playing off the edge frequently next season. Smith and Thomas will be the other defensive ends on the depth chart.

Because of Avery primarily playing on the edge, Anthony Zettel will be the odd man out at defensive end. With the Browns wanting more playing time for Thomas and Smith still being owed guaranteed money, Zettel is the most likely to be cut.

The fourth defensive tackle will also be a competition during training camp as Cleveland has solid options in Ekuale, Carl Davis and Brian Price. But with Ekuale getting reps with the second-team defense during minicamp, he gets the nod as the fourth defensive tackle.

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