5 surprising roster decisions Cleveland Browns could make in 2021

4. Keep 10 offensive linemen

The Browns had the NFL’s very best offensive line in 2020, and a big reason for that was their excellent depth. Jedrick Wills Jr., Joel Bitonio, Wyatt Teller, and Jack Conklin all missed significant snaps, and players like Chris Hubbard, Nick Harris, Kendall Lamm, Michael Dunn, and Blake Hance had to fill in to protect Baker Mayfield. Typically, teams carry eight or nine linemen depending on how versatile they are.

Wills played only left tackle in 2020, but was a right tackle at Alabama, so theoretically he could fill in there if needed. Conklin was a left tackle in college and has played there at times as a pro.

Bitonio, Teller, and J.C. Tretter are limited in their positional overlap, as is Harris, who should not be playing guard, ever. Hubbard can play anywhere except center, Dunn is a guard, and Hance is a guard who filled in at left tackle in the playoffs. Rookie James Hudson played tackle in college and will be cross-trained as a guard. Players like Drew Forbes and Alex Taylor are also in the running for spots.

Cleveland has at least 12 linemen with good arguments to be on a roster. There isn’t room for all of them, unfortunately, but given the number of injuries the team suffered on the line last year, and the uncertainty surrounding the three interior players, perhaps there will be room for an inordinate 10.