General manager Andrew Berry has done a great job building depth on the Cleveland Browns roster for the 2023 season. The talent he's added at key positions has created a lot of competition — which is always a good thing when trying to compete in a loaded AFC North.
While that's true, it also means some once-promising players could struggle to see the field at all in 2023 — even if they play to their full potential. Due to sheer numbers, here are three talented players that will have a hard time seeing the field in 2023 for Cleveland.
3 Talented Browns who will struggle to see the field in 2023
3. Harrison Bryant, TE
Once the John Mackey Award winner for being the top tight end in the nation, Harrison Bryant enters his fourth NFL season with some decent numbers. He's pulled down 76-of-108 targets for 710 yards with seven touchdowns. None of those numbers are mind-blowing but he's proven to be a reliable pass catcher whenever the ball has come his way.
However, he might not see nearly as many opportunities in 2023.
Bryant, who was second on the depth chart in 2022, falls back to third behind David Njoku and Jordan Akins. An offseason addition, Akins comes over on the heels of a career-best campaign. While with the Texans, he had 37 receptions for 495 yards with five touchdowns.
On top of that, Akins has history with Deshaun Watson from their time in Houston together. That familiarity should help him see the field quite a bit, and with more depth at wideout, there will likely be far fewer three-tight-end sets as well.
Throw all that together and Bryant might be more limited than he's used to this year.
2. Jacob Phillips, LB
When the Browns selected Jacob Phillips at No. 97 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft, he brought a lot of excitement with him. While LSU had Patrick Queen, who went in the first round that year, Phillips was actually the leading tackler during their title run.
He was known for his leadership on the Tigers' defense but he didn't possess elite traits — which is why he was there near the end of Round 3. Even with that being the case, there was a lot to like about him and he had the feel of a solid NFL linebacker.
Unfortunately, he has yet to really put it all together, which isn't completely his fault. Phillips has missed a lot of time due to injuries in three years, with just 20 total games played. The most he ever appeared in during a single season was nine during his rookie campaign.
He does possess a decent stat line with 88 tackles, 3.0 sacks, and five passes defensed to this point. But the health concerns continue to be an issue.
As if that wasn't enough, the talent ahead of him has been an issue. Anthony Walker and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah have been superior players and Sione Takitaki turned a corner late in 2022. There's also Jordan Kunaszyk who is quickly earning the praise of Jim Schwartz.
Phillips has the tools to succeed but he's suddenly deep down the depth chart and might need an injury to occur to see the field regularly.
1. David Bell, WR
In need of wide receiver depth last season, the Browns selected Purdue's David Bell in the third round of the NFL Draft. He was a production machine for the Boilermakers and while he made the most of his chances in Cleveland as a rookie, his numbers were modest.
Bell finished with just 214 yards on 24 receptions for an average of 8.9 yards per reception. To his credit, he made the plays when given an opportunity but there wasn't much for him. Looking ahead to 2023, there might be even fewer chances, which is by design.
After adding Cedric Tillman with their first selection, Andrew Berry discussed depth on the roster and his message had to have hit home for someone such as Bell. Berry essentially said this team will always create competition and it's up to the players to earn their spot.
"For any player that comes in the NFL, if you’re not ready to come compete for your job, then it’s just not the league and it’s just not the sport for you. That’s the reality for young players, rookies and vets. That’s just kind of the way it is, and that’s kind of the way that we’ll build out the roster."Berry via Mary Kay Cabot
There were those who wrote Bell off following a quiet rookie campaign but he has the talent and route-running skill to be a weapon in the NFL. The only problem is that Berry has done a tremendous job stockpiling talent at wide receiver.
Bell isn't in danger of losing his job but he's currently behind Amari Cooper, Elijah Moore, Donovan Peoples-Jones, and Marquise Goodwin. He'll be fighting for the fifth spot with Cedric Tillman but neither will likely see the field a lot in 2023.