Browns make a surprise special teams move in latest 53-man roster prediction

There's just one preseason game left for the Cleveland Browns as they will take on the Kansas City Chiefs this coming Saturday. At this point, we have a strong indication of what the 53-man roster is going to look like, but there could still be a few spots up for grabs.

While the final game could decide the bottom of the roster, it will also help the front office zero in on who they want on their practice squad. With all those decisions looming, here's a quick look at how their first official 53-man roster could look headed into Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Quarterback (3):

Deshan Watson
Josh Dobbs
Dorian Thompson-Robinson

Deshaun Watson is the unquestioned starter for the Cleveland Browns even if we don't see him again until Week 1 — which we shouldn't. He looked fine in his brief appearance and that's all he needed.

As for the backups, it's tough not to fall for Dorian Thompson-Robinson and claim he's the QB2. He's been phenomenal in the preseason and is an electric playmaker. Having said that, Josh Dobbs has actual experience in meaningful games. That's why he remains the No. 2 quarterback.

Should Watson be lost for an extended time, then the conversation might change. But if you need someone to step in and finish a game calmly, Dobbs is the guy.

Running Back (3):

Nick Chubb
Jerome Ford
Demetric Felton

Nick Chubb is still the featured back in Cleveland and the only question right now is whether or not Jerome Ford will be healthy by Week 1. If he is, he's going to be the RB2 behind Chubb. He hasn't had a lot of rushing attempts in his career but the coaching staff likes what he brings to the table.

The third running back is Demetric Felton, who has been a pleasant surprise this preseason. Finally able to focus on one position, he's been thriving and has done well enough that he can fill in as the primary backup until Ford is at 100 percent.

Wide Receiver (6):

Amari Cooper
Elijah Moore
Donovan Peoples-Jones
Cedric Tillman
David Bell
Austin Watkins

Marquise Goodwin (PUP)

Cleveland is suddenly very deep at wide receiver. Just a year ago, it felt as though they would struggle anytime Amari Cooper or Donovan Peoples-Jones weren't on the field. Now, they added Elijah Moore and rookie third-round pick Cedric Tillman to the mix.

Moore was the 34th overall selection in 2021 and a fresh start could help him turn into the playmaker he was expected to be. Tillman has been excellent in the preseason and likely moves ahead of David Bell. Even with Tillman looking great on the field, he's WR4 at best since Donovan Peoples-Jones remains firmly ahead of him.

Lastly, Austin Watkins is kept as the sixth wideout. He's someone worth developing after breaking out in the preseason and can't be safely exposed to waivers.

Tight End (3):

David Njoku
Jordan Akins
Harrison Bryant

David Njoku and Jordan Akins are the top two tight ends and while Njoku is the starter, Akins should see plenty of snaps as well. He's especially going to be helpful in the red zone due to his size and the rapport he already has with Deshaun Watson.

Harrison Bryant is the third tight end and while he's been out due to a non-disclosed health issue, Mary Kay Cabot recently reported that he will return soon. If he's at 100 percent, this will be the final three. If not, they could decide to keep Miller Forristall, who has been solid in the preseason.

Offensive Line (9):

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

Typically, teams tend to take 10 offensive linemen into the regular season but in this prediction, we go with just nine.

Of course, the starting five are set with Jedrick Wills and Jack Conklin at tackle. Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller are manning the guard positions once again and Ethan Pocic is the man in the middle. The starting five remains the same from 2022 and while there are areas that need to be cleaned up, the overall chemistry and continuity is a positive.

On the bench, there's James Hudson III who is primarily going to be the No. 2 left tackle. Dawand Jones, who has been sensational in the preseason, is the backup at right tackle. He has yet to take snaps at the left and if they planned on going with a traditional swing tackle, that wouldn't be the case. Instead, they go with two backup tackles.

Nick Harris went from a starter in 2022 — before suffering an injury in the preseason — to being on the roster bubble. However, he's been getting a lot of work at center this preseason while rookie Luke Wypler has worked at guard. The fact that Wypler hasn't been a liability helps him make the roster and on gamedays, he and Harris will handle all the interior reserve duties.

Cleveland will likely keep at least two guards on the practice squad but no one has stood out to the point they fear risking them on waivers.

Defensive Line (9):

Myles Garrett
Shelby Harris
Dalvin Tomlinson
Za'Darius Smith
Ogbo Okoronkwo
Isaiah McGuire
Siaki Ika
Maurice Hurst
Tommy Togiai

Alex Wright (PUP)
Isaiah Thomas (PUP)

Cleveland completely overhauled their defensive line this offseason with three new starters. Dalvin Tomlinson was their prized free agent signing — landing him by way of a four-year, $57 million contract — and should help their porous run defense immensely. Next to him will be Shelby Harris, a late addition to the team.

Harris was signed after Jordan Elliott struggled in the preseason and now, he doesn't make the cut despite being given guaranteed money this offseason. Instead of Elliott, the backup defensive tackles are Siaki Ika, Maurice Hurst, and Tommy Togiai — who has looked much better than Elliott in the preseason games.

At defensive end, they traded for Za'Darius Smith who is an excellent No. 2 pass rusher across from Myles Garrett. The two could form one of the best — if not the best — edge duos in the game.

Behind them will be Ogbo Okoronkwo and Isaiah McGuire. Okoronkwo was added after he had five sacks with the Houston Texans and McGuire is a fourth-round pick who was successful in the SEC.

They do have Alex Wright and Isaiah Thomas but injuries force them to the PUP to start the season.

Linebacker (6):

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
Anthony Walker
Sione Takitaki
Tony Fields
Matthew Adams
Mohamoud Diabate

Cleveland goes with six linebackers here with three starters who are coming off of injuries suffered in 2022. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and Anthony Walker were expected to be back and should be even better thanks to the bulk added ahead of them at defensive tackle.

However, Sione Takitaki has surprised everyone with his progression from a torn ACL suffered in December. Originally, he appeared headed for the IR but now he should be out there on day one.

Tony Fields is the top reserve and has been great this preseason. Matthew Adams joined in the offseason and should be a special teams stud. Last is Mohamoud Diabate who has been progressing throught camp and had his best performance against the Eagles.

Cornerback (5):

Denzel Ward
Greg Newsome
Martin Emerson
Mike Ford
Cameron Mitchell

Another position of strength for the Browns is in the secondary where they're very deep at cornerback. They have two first-round picks in Denzel Ward and Greg Newsome as well as their top pick (No. 68 overall) from 2022, Martin Emerson.

All three are best when playing man coverage and the additions up front, as well as at safety, should allow them to all play this more often in 2023.

The final two spots go to Mike Ford and Cameron Mitchell. Ford is another special teams standout but he can play corner if needed. Mitchell is a rookie from Northwestern and can play the slot, which could have him on the field early in his career.

Safety (5):

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

The safeties look much more promising in Cleveland this year than they did in 2022. Juan Thornhill is a centerfielder that can cover a lot of ground in a hurry. He pairs nicely with Grant Delpit, who is better when allowed to attack the ball without having to focus on deep zone coverage.

Rodney McLeod is also there and might be their most underrated signing of the offseason. Not only is he great in coverage but he knows Jim Schwartz and his defense well. McLeod can help the rest of the secondary stay on the same page, which was an issue last year.

Ronnie Hickman has been a turnover machine in the preseason and that helps him make the roster.

The final spot goes to D'Anthony Bell who the coaching staff likes a lot.

Specialists (4):

Cade York
Corey Bojorquez
Charley Hughlett
Jakeem Grant, Sr.

Cade York continues to struggle but the Browns still show faith in him. Until they finally make a move, there's no reason to speculate. They seem content to let him work through his struggles and we'll know soon enough if it was a mistake.

Corey Bojorquez returns as the punter and holder for field goals. He's been a solid weapon and has one of the strongest legs in the game. The long snapper also remains the same with Charley Hughlett back.

The lone surprise might be keeping Jakeem Grant, Sr. as a return specialist. While we haven't seen Grant in the preseason, he's been getting the majority of the reps in practice. It felt as though the depth at wideout could hurt his chances but now, he makes it as a returner and can fill in at receiver if needed.