Re-thinking 53-man Browns roster after cut down to 85

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BEREA, OH – JULY 31: Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney #90 of the Cleveland Browns runs a drill during Cleveland Browns Training Camp on July 31, 2021 in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) /

Browns Roster: Defensive Line (10)

Myles Garrett, Andrew Billings, Malik Jackson, Jadeveon Clowney, Porter Gustin, Curtis Weaver, Jordan Elliott, Sheldon Day, Tommy Togiai, Marvin Wilson

PUP: Takkarist McKinley

On defense, the Cleveland Browns boast one of the best starting defensive ends corps in the league. Jadeveon Clowney, the No. 1 pick in the 2014 NFL Draft joined in the offseason and will start across from Myles Garrett, the No. 1 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.

The two have had different paths with Garrett staying with one club and earning a long-term extension ahead of 2020. As for Clowney, he’s now on his fourth team in as many seasons, still looking for that lucrative deal. Injuries have kept him from obtaining that, but this could be a huge year for him.

With Takk McKinley away from the team, Porter Gustin and Curtis Weaver both snag a spot as reserves. Eventually, they should get McKinley back, and then they will decide if they want to move on from one of their defensive tackles because 11 defensive linemen would be too much.

As for the defensive tackle position, the Browns are likely to start Andrew Billings and Malik Jackson. Billings sat out of the 2020 season and while he struggled in Week 1, he shouldn’t be in danger yet. Still, he has to get better in order to give them the nose tackle they need.

Behind them in this prediction are Sheldon Day, Jordan Elliott, and two rookies, Tommy Togiai and Marvin Wilson. Day was the hero of Week 1, sacking Trevor Lawrence on the first play from scrimmage to set the tone. Wilson hasn’t stood out yet but since they have McKinley on the PUP in this prediction, they give him a longer look.

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