3 potential roster cuts the Cleveland Browns should target

With the 2023 preseason wrapped up, teams are now going to be making some tough decisions as they trim their rosters down from 90 to 53. As the Cleveland Browns know, this original roster is far from final, since there will be a slew of players available as waiver wire additions or as free agent signings once all the moves are announced.

They did add a running back on Sunday, landing Pierre Strong in a trade with the New England Patriots but that's far from the last player they'll consider adding.

Here, we look at three potential additions Cleveland should target if they're released ahead of the Tuesday deadline.

3. Neville Gallimore, DT, Dallas Cowboys

The Browns are much better on the defensive line this season thanks to a few moves made in free agency — as well as one shrewd trade. They signed Dalvin Tomlinson and Shelby Harris to play defensive tackle and traded for Za'Darius Smith to start at defensive end across from Myles Garrett. As if that wasn't enough, they strengthened the bench with Ogbo Okoronkwo, Isaiah McGuire, Maurice Hurst, and Siaki Ika.

Having said that, there's a battle for a possible spot going on with Jordan Elliott, Tommy Togiai, and Trysten Hill. All three have major concerns with Elliott and Togiai's centering around talent and Hill's being about durability.

With none of them standing out as great choices, it would make sense to see if any alternative options arise — such as Neville Gallimore. A former third-round pick, Gallimore came into the league with a higher ceiling than Elliott but has fallen behind several other options the Dallas Cowboys have.

Unlike Elliott, he didn't lose out to free agents but saw his name fall down the depth chart when Dallas used a first-round pick on Mazi Smith — and has been outplayed by other third-round picks such as Osa Odighizuwa and Chauncey Golston.

If he does hit the waiver wire, it would be worth seeing if he could be added to the depth chart.

3. Nick Folk, K, New England Patriots

The Cade York experience has not been a fun one.

A fourth-round pick out of LSU, York came in with a lot of praise and some high expectations. He started out on fire as well, nailing a 58-yard game-winner in Week 1 of his rookie campaign against Baker Mayfield and the Carolina Panthers. But after that, the issues began.

York wound up missing eight field goals and two extra points while converting on just 75 percent of his kicks. Throughout the offseason, the talk surrounding York has been about how to fix his mechanics and get him firing with more accuracy. In practice, it appears to be working as he hardly misses. But then in games, he's unreliable, and even when he makes them, some of his kicks are too close for comfort.

It's hard to give up on a fourth-round pick after one season but the Browns might not have a choice. They can't allow games to be lost due to missed kicks but fortunately, there's a player likely about to become available they can add — Nick Folk.

A longtime NFL veteran, Folk has been outplaying Chad Ryland with the New England Patriots but Ryland was also a fourth-round pick. That means he's likely to keep the job and Folk could be available.

If so, the Browns should pounce at the opportunity to bring him in.

A 15-year vet, Folk has been in the league since 2007 and kicked for four different teams. He's made 82.9 percent of his field goals while hitting 92.9 percent in 2020, 92.3 percent in 2023, and 86.5 percent last year. He's also connected on 96.8 percent of his extra points — although he has missed 10 of those in three seasons with the Pats.

Still, it would be worth missing a couple of extra points to have a kicker who is solid from 40-plus and automatic on field goals inside of that range (58-of-58 the past three years from 20-39 yards).

As a side note, the Browns could do this and still retain York on the practice squad. It unlikely he takes a roster spot from any other team, so they could continue to work with him while turning to a veteran for at least 2023.

1. Michael Carter, RB, New York Jets

Yes, Cleveland added Pierre Strong in a trade with the Patriots and while he has talent, he also has just 10 career rushing attempts so that might not be the final move they make at running back.

Instead, they could look to add more depth — especially since we're not sure how healthy Jerome Ford is right now. And it would make it even more likely if the right fit fell to them, which could wind up being Michael Carter.

A fourth-round pick out of North Carolina in 2022, Carter has been solid when called upon. He had 639 yards and four touchdowns as a rookie and then added 402 yards and three more touchdowns in 2022. He did see his efficiency drop last year but the offense as a whole was a mess — and Cleveland knows this since they were all-in on adding Elijah Moore.

Heading into his third season, Carter is even further down the depth chart since Breece Hall is healthy and the Jets signed Dalvin Cook.

They also have rookie Israel Abanikanda, meaning Carter could be on the way out. If so, he would be a far better option for the Browns than either Felton or Kelly and might even push Jerome Ford — who has yet to prove he can stay healthy, let alone hold down the RB2 spot.

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