Cleveland Browns: 20 practice squad candidates for 2021 season

20 Cleveland Browns players who could be on the practice squad this season

The lack of a 2020 preseason hurt many young NFL players who missed out on what could perhaps have been their only opportunity to make the league, but the COVID-19 pandemic did lead to a positive development; an increase in the size of practice squads.

Typically limited to 10 players with little NFL experience, the practice squad carried 16 players in 2020, and six of those can have more than two seasons of experience, which means veterans who have played for years are now eligible. The Cleveland Browns took advantage of this last season, and will do so again in 2021.

Here are 20 players currently on the 90-man roster who could end up on the practice squad, at least for a time.

Quarterback

Kyle Lauletta

There is less than zero intrigue to the QB position for the Browns this year, which is probably the first time since Bernie Kosar that that could be said. Baker Mayfield is the starter, Case Keenum is the backup, and Lauletta, who joined the practice squad in October of last year, will be the emergency signal-caller, provided he doesn’t get signed to another team’s active roster.

Running back

Tre Harbison

There aren’t many carries for backs not named Nick Chubb or Kareem Hunt in Cleveland, including rookie Demetric Felton. D’Ernest Johnson likely won’t make the final roster, but he’s too good to make it through waivers, so he won’t be on the practice squad. Harbison, a rookie from Charlotte, will be competing with veteran John Kelly, and Harbison’s 5-11, 218-pound frame might give him an advantage.