Browns 53-man roster prediction heading into Preseason Week 1

With the Hall of Fame Game behind us, the Cleveland Browns head into the first official week of the preseason. This week, they'll host the Washington Commanders after taking on the Jets in Canton last week.

The game featured primarily backups — which is the norm for preseason games but that doesn't mean they're pointless. Not only does this give fans a chance to see some of the reserves get in on the action but it allows the coaches to evaluate those fighting for roster spots.

Against the Jets, there were some players who climbed the depth chart and others who fell completely off the ladder. With that game helping sort things out, here's our latest Cleveland Browns 53-man roster prediction.

Browns Quarterbacks (3):

Deshan Watson
Josh Dobbs
Dorian Thompson-Robinson

Deshaun Watson enters his first full season as the quarterback for Cleveland and the only real question right now is whether or not he can return to the form we saw in 2020. Chances are likely that he will, and he's been looking great in camp. It would be a good idea to get him some snaps in the preseason to knock some rust off before Week 1 but the Browns might decide it's not worth the risk.

Behind him is Josh Dobbs, who was with Cleveland last year up until Watson returned from suspension. He headed to Detroit and Tennessee, even starting two games for the Titans before returning in the offseason. Dobbs has the No. 2 spot locked down and it appears the third spot is settled as well.

Dorian Thompson-Robinson was excellent in his debut and looked much more comfortable than Kellen Mond. The coaching staff liked Mond enough to keep him around throughout the 2022 season but he's not surpassing the electric Thompson-Robinson.

Running Back (3):

Nick Chubb
Jerome Ford
Demetric Felton

There's no debate at RB1 or RB2 right now for the Browns. Nick Chubb is one of the best running backs in the NFL and has the top spot locked down. It's likely he doesn't even sniff the field during preseason, nor should he. He's going to be ready to roll come Week 1.

Behind him is Jerome Ford, who is still relatively unknown. A fifth-round pick from Cincinnati, he has just eight career rushing attempts but the coaching staff believes in him.

As for the final spot, Demetric Felton did enough in Canton to prove he's up for the task. He looked quick and decisive all night and was highly effective, even running in the first touchdown of the game.

If he continues to play at this level, he feels like a lock for the roster.

Wide Receiver (6):

Amari Cooper
Elijah Moore
Donovan Peoples-Jones
David Bell
Cedric Tillman
Jaelon Darden

Marquise Goodwin (PUP)

The Browns wide receiver corps is one of the deepest units on the team. Amari Cooper is still a legit No. 1 WR and they have two capable players who can be the No. 2 in Elijah Moore and Donovan Peoples-Jones.

Cedric Tillman was very good in his preseason debut but we can't sleep on David Bell — their third-round pick from 2022.

Lastly, Jaelon Darden makes the cut in this prediction with Marquise Goodwin heading to the PUP due to blood clots in his legs and lungs. Goodwin might be ready by Week 1 but it would be wise to play it safe and that could open the door for Darden who would be an option in the return game as well.

Tight End(3):

David Njoku
Jordan Akins
Harrison Bryant

This position seems pretty set with David Njoku, Jordan Akins, and Harrison Bryant at tight end. Njoku is the big-money guy who will be the No. 1 tight end and has the freakish athleticism that can drive defenders crazy. Behind him is Akins, who has experience with Deshaun Watson. Last is Bryant, who isn't flashy but can start if needed and is much better than a typical TE3.

Cleveland does have some depth behind them including Zaire Mitchell-Paiden who played well against the Jets. But with the need for depth elsewhere, they'll likely go with three and bring someone to the practice squad.

Offensive Line (10):

Jedrick Wills
Joel Bitonio
Ethan Pocic
Wyatt Teller
Jack Conklin
Dawand Jones
James Hudson III
Luke Wypler
Michael Dunn
Nick Harris

Cleveland has a great interior offensive line led by Joel Bitonio at guard. The other guard spot is occupied by Wyatt Teller, who would be the best guard on several teams — which is a testament to Bitonio's talent. In the middle is Ethan Pocic, who took over when Nick Harris was injured last year and never looked back.

At tackle, they have talent with Jack Conklin and Jedrick Wills but they need to see Wills play with more consistency and effort. He could find himself in trouble if not since Dawand Jones played so well in his debut. Sure, he stayed on the right side but if Wills could make the switch, Jones could as well.

James Hudson makes it as another swing tackle and Michael Dunn is there since he can play all three interior positions. Drew Forbes is edged out by Dunn after he struggled on Thursday.

Originally, I had Harris off the 53-man roster but he was starting with the rest of the second team on Thursday, so that might have been premature. He makes it here but is on the fringe since Luke Wypler is younger and has more time on his contract.

Defensive Line (9):

Myles Garrett
Jordan Elliott
Dalvin Tomlinson
Za'Darius Smith
Ogbo Okoronkwo
Alex Wright
Isaiah McGuire
Siaki Ika
Maurice Hurst

The Browns go with nine defensive linemen since defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz enjoys switching them out so often. On the edge, there's Myles Garrett — who already leads the franchise in career sacks — and Za'Darius Smith, who was added in an offseason trade with the Minnesota Vikings.

Dalvin Tomlinson is another former Viking and the big defensive tackle was Cleveland's top free agent signing. It appears for now Jordan Elliott will be starting next to him but Maurice Hurst could make a push if he can stay healthy.

Ogbo Okoronkwo serves as the primary reserve pass rusher and has even lined up at EDGE with Smith moving inside during practices.

The unit is rounded out with Alex Wright and rookies Isaiah McGuire and Siaki Ika. That means some talented players such as Isaiah Thomas and Trysten Hill miss the cut.

Linebacker (6):

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
Anthony Walker, Jr.
Sione Takitaki
Jordan Kunaszyk
Tony Fields II
Matthew Adams

It appeared for a while that Sione Takitaki could be on the PUP to start the season but that no longer seems likely. He's already practicing and if healthy, will start at linebacker along with Anthony Walker, Jr. and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah.

On the bench is Tony Fields II, who was great on Thursday as well as Jordan Kunaszyk and Matthew Adams. Kunaszyk and Adams are both great on special teams and Adams has ties to Bubba Ventrone during their time in Indianapolis together.

Cornerback (5):

Denzel Ward
Greg Newsome II
Martin Emerson
Mike Ford
Cameron Mitchell

Cleveland's secondary is very talented with two former first-round picks leading the way in Denzel Ward and Greg Newsome. Martin Emerson is third on the depth chart after being selected in the third round a year ago. He was great when he got on the field and all three of their top corners should be even better under Jim Schwartz who is expected to play more man coverage.

Their depth at the position is so deep that they might have to say goodbye to A.J. Green. A former undrafted free agent, Green has been solid whenever pressed into duty but they just used a fifth-round pick on Cameron Mitchell — who is a contender to play in the slot.

Last to make it is Mike Ford, another special teams star. He can play in the base defense if needed but he's on this roster for his coverage skills on the kick teams and will prove to be a valuable addition.

Safety (5):

Juan Thornhill
Grant Delpit
Rodney McLeod
Ronnie Hickman
D'Anthony Bell

There were some big changes to the safety room this offseason when the Browns allowed Ronnie Harrison to leave in free agency and released John Johnson III. With them out, they signed Juan Thornhill and Rodney McLeod.

Thornhill is a good centerfield-type of safety and McLeod is known for his versatility. He also has experience with Jim Schwartz, even winning a Super Bowl with him in Philadelphia.

Ohio State product Ronnie Hickman makes the team as a depth piece as does D'Anthony Bell. However, they could decide to cut one of these two and go deep at corner — if they felt someone such as Cameron Mitchell could play safety in a pinch.

Specialists (3):

Cade York
Corey Bojorquez
Charley Hughlett

Cade York didn't have a great debut for the Browns. He was wide on a field goal attempt from 49 yards out which led to immediate calls for change among the fan base.

While the impatience grows from those in the stands, Kevin Stefanski and Andrew Berry have always shown patience with players they believe in — and York falls in that category.

Berry didn't use a fourth-round pick on a rookie to give up on him before the start of his second season. That is, not unless he completely falls apart and as frustrating as that miss was, a whiff from nearly 50 yards is far from "falling apart." That's why he's still the kicker on these predictions until the staff starts to show they're losing patience.

Thankfully, the other two specialists on this team are more than living up to expectations. Punter Corey Bojorquez was solid in his first season with the Browns and should be just as good in year two. He had 61 punts for 2,959 yards (an average of 48.5 per kick) with 23 landing inside the 20.

As for holder Charley Hughlett, he's been getting it done for the Browns since 2014. He's one of the longest-tenured players on the team (after Joel Bitonio) and just quietly does his job.