Cleveland Browns mailbag: are more moves on the way?

With the initial 53-man roster and the first round of waiver claims done are there more moves coming from the Cleveland Browns?

NFL rosters are already changing after initial 53-man rosters were set on Tuesday as waiver claims, trades, and cut players signing back to practice squads. The Cleveland Browns made a move a lot didn’t see coming when they claimed quarterback Kellen Mond from the Vikings. Let’s take a look at some reader questions in this edition of Browns’ mailbag.

Does Kellen Mond have a shot at playing time? (@TJonesy57 on Twitter)

Not likely, Kevin Stefanski mentioned on Tuesday that the team would add another quarterback to the practice squad after initial cuts. However when they claimed Mond he was added to the 53 which likely means they see something in the former third-round pick.

I’m personally not high on the player but he has a skill set that gives him the chance to make a few plays. It smells of a strict depth move as insurance for injury or Brissett and Dobbs being really bad.

How do you think not receiving a snap in almost 2 seasons will affect Watson when he returns? (@oldirt79 on Twitter)

I think it will result in some major growing pains, similar to what we saw when he played in Jacksonville during the preseason. He’s an elite talent and I doubt he forgets how to play but the speed of the NFL isn’t something easily replicated. It will likely take at least two games before he is close to his old self if not longer.

After final cuts, the Browns still have 5 running backs. Do the Browns trade a running back and if so who? (@TheBrownieElf1 on Twitter)

Personally, I don’t really consider Felton a traditional running back he will likely play more in the slot as a wide receiver. However, there’s a route they take where they trade one of their backs for a wide receiver or veteran defensive tackle. Even though Kareem Hunt is the more talented I think that D’Ernest Johnson is the most tradable. He is younger and on a real team-friendly deal this year to prove he deserves a big contract.

Where is the 3rd tight end? Practice squad call-ups are limited during the regular season, right? (@any1mark66 on Twitter)

The Browns put in a claim for a tight end but lost out due to the waiver order so they agree and are already trying to add another. But yes they absolutely need to have three on the 53-man roster for the regular season, though they will use fewer multiple tight end sets having two is far too less especially when they focus on the run game early. It would be shocking if they didn’t pick up someone who was cut within the next couple of days.