Way too early prediction of the Cleveland Browns 53 man roster
By Mitch Zoloty
Defensive Tackles
Absolute Locks:
Sheldon Richardson
Jordan Elliot
Andrew Billings
More Than Likely In:
Larry Ogunjobi
50/50 Chance They’re In:
Eli Ankou
Possibly Practice Squad:
Jeffrey Whatley
Outside Looking In:
The Browns defensive tackle room is looking extremely thin at this point. The team is likely looking at carrying 5 of them on the active roster, so let’s break down who it could be. Sheldon Richardson played really well last season and has a lot of dead cap if he’s cut, so he’s pretty much a lock to be on the roster. Jordan Elliot was a third-round pick, and Andrew Billings has recently been signed this past offseason, so they both feel like absolute locks to have spots on the roster as backups.
Larry Ogunjobi is in the last year of his deal, and it is unknown if the Browns will be trying to re-sign him. He will likely be a starter on this defense, but he isn’t an absolute lock just because he could potentially be traded.
Eli Ankou feels like the only other defensive tackle on the roster that has a shot to stick around for the first week of the 2020 season, just because of his size and ability to play the one-technique. Jordan Elliot, Sheldon Richardson, and Larry Ogunjobi all are better suited to play the three-technique position, which leaves Andrew Billings as the only pure one-technique on the roster. Ankou draws his value as a large, 325lbs defensive tackle who could clog up A-gaps.
Jeffrey Whatley is the only undrafted free agent as of right now that the Browns have at this position, so he is an interesting prospect for the team. He could likely spend some time on the practice squad to develop.
If the Browns make any moves after the final wave of cuts before the regular season begins, it will likely be to add defensive tackle depth to the roster. Otherwise, it is going to be an open competition between all of the names listed for that fifth defensive tackle spot.