A loss to the Kansas City Chiefs closed out the preseason for the Cleveland Browns. Now, they get to work trying to figure out what to do as they trim their roster from 90 players down to 53.
There's a lot of talent, which means there will be some tough decisions to make. Here, we do our best to predict how the roster will look when all is said and done.
Quarterback (3):
Deshaun Watson
Dorian Thompson-Robinson
Kellen Mond
The Browns have typically carried three quarterbacks into the regular season and it seemed as though it was easy to see who that would be this year. That was until they surprisingly decided to trade Josh Dobbs to the Cardinals, making Dorian Thompson-Robinson the No. 2 quarterback as a rookie.
He's been sensational in the preseason and also runs an offense very similar to Deshaun Watson. We saw in 2022 how hard it can be to shift philosophies when a new quarterback takes over — as Watson was quite different than Jacoby Brissett.
Last on the depth chart is Kellen Mond. He was never a lock to make the team and the Browns nearly cut him before moving on from Dobbs.
Still, he's an underrated player who was taken in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Cleveland could do a lot worse than Mond when it comes to an emergency quarterback.
Running Back (3):
Nick Chubb
Jerome Ford
Demetric Felton
At running back, the Browns will only go with three players — unless they believe Jerome Ford's hamstring injury will linger into the regular season.
Right now, they have Nick Chubb as their primary back and he continues to be one of the best in the business. The goal in 2023 is to run fewer times in order to keep him fresh but he will still have well over 1,000 yards and double-digit touchdowns provided he stays healthy.
Ford is going to be their RB2 once healthy. Behind him will be Demetric Felton, who has done enough in the preseason to earn the team's trust. He also has the ability to return kicks, which will be needed with Jakeem Grant out.
Wide Receiver (6):
Amari Cooper
Elijah Moore
Donovan Peoples-Jones
David Bell
Cedric Tillman
Jaelon Darden
Marquise Goodwin (PUP)
Jakeem Grant, Sr. (IR)
Following the Jakeem Grant injury, the Browns go with six wide receivers but one name is noticeably absent — Austin Watkins, Jr. Every year, someone blows up in camp and the preseason and fans fall in love with that player. They then say there's no way they can't be on the 53-man roster.
When this happens, there are typically two results. One, they get released. Two, they make the roster and never contribute in the regular season.
For Watkins, he winds up being waived and despite his impressive work, he could very well go unclaimed. If so, he's going to be back on the practice squad and could be brought up if anyone gets injured.
The problem for him is that the numbers aren't there. Amari Cooper, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Elijah Moore, Cedric Tillman, and David Bell are all locks. There's also Marquise Goodwin who could be back at some point this season.
What really hurts Watkins, however, is the fact that Jaelon Darden can return kicks. He was held out of the preseason finale but is cleared to play and could be the primary return man this season.
Watkins was a fun story but there's a reason he got so much time in the preseason while the names ahead of him did not. This won't be a popular move, but it's highly probable.
Tight End (3):
David Njoku
Jordan Akins
Harrison Bryant
Tight end already feels set for the Browns with David Njoku returning as the No. 1 option. Behind him is Jordan Akins, who knows Deshaun Watson well and was one of the under-the-radar moves made by general manager Andrew Berry this offseason.
Harrison Bryant rounds out the list and gives them a third tight end they would feel comfortable starting if they had to. A former John Mackey Award winner, Bryant isn't going to blow anyone away with his athleticism, but he's very sure-handed. The depth here is very encouraging.
Offensive Line (9):
Jedrick Wills
Joel Bitonio
Ethan Pocic
Wyatt Teller
Jack Conklin
Dawand Jones
James Hudson III
Luke Wypler
Drew Forbes
The starting five on the offensive line is the same to start the 2023 season that we saw throughout 2023. The interior is solid with Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller at guard and Ethan Pocic at center.
There are concerns on the edge with Jed Wills entering a critical season and Jack Conklin struggling with durability. They have Dawand Jones, a rookie from Ohio State, who can play right tackle but is still trying to learn the left side. James Hudson will likely replace Wills if he goes down — and as much as fans bash Wills, this would be a downgrade.
Nick Harris and Luke Wypler are both natural centers but have worked at guard. Neither has been great at that position and while Harris isn't likely to be released, this prediction has him being traded for a late-round pick. That leaves Wypler as the backup center and Drew Forbes as the primary backup at guard. It also helps that Forbes can play tackle.
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)
This is the unit that will make or break the Browns in 2023. They can move the ball on offense and there are playmakers at both linebacker and the secondary. But as we saw in 2022, those players can be mitigated when the D-line is being bullied. The offense also has a hard time when they have to watch the opposing team control the clock — and momentum.
Andrew Berry didn't want to deal with this again in 2023, so he signed Dalvin Tomlinson to a huge deal in the offseason. He then added Shelby Harris when it was clear Jordan Elliott was not improving.
Elliott is out in this prediction as the Browns go with Maurice Hurst, Tommt Togiai, and Siaki Ika as the interior reserves.
On the edge, Myles Garrett and Za'Darius Smith are the starters and will keep opposing offensive coordinators up at night. The rotation can be dangerous as well, with Ogbo Okoronkwo added in the offseason. He's an ascending pass rusher and they have fourth-round pick Isaiah McGuire as well.
Where it gets interesting is with Alex Wright and Isaiah Thomas. Each is good enough to make the roster, so when they're back to 100 percent health, someone could lose a job.
Linebacker (6):
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
Anthony Walker, Jr.
Sione Takitaki
Tony Fields
Matthew Adams
Mohamoud Diabate
At linebacker, the Browns bring back Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Anthony Walker, Jr., and Sione Takitaki. Tony Fields has been all over the field this preseason and joins Matthew Adams on the bench. Both will also be special teams aces.
Jordan Kunaszyk and Mohamoud Diabate are fighting for the final spot. This could go either way but there's less chance they lose Kunaszyk if waived. He should return as soon as a spot opens, and the way this last game went with injuries — spots will sadly open.
Cornerback (6):
Denzel Ward
Greg Newsome II
Martin Emerson
Mike Ford
Cameron Mitchell
Caleb Biggers
Denzel Ward is the No. 1 cornerback on this roster but he's currently in concussion protocol. Assuming he will be back by Week 1 might be optimistic, especially considering this is at least the fourth he's suffered in his young career. With that being the case, the Browns go deep at cornerback — bringing six to the roster to kick off the season.
Behind Ward, they have two capable starters: Greg Newsome and Martin Emerson. Rookie Cameron Mitchell could wind up being in the slot right away, so let's hope he's up to the task.
Mike Ford is there and can play, but he's on this roster more for his special teams prowess than coverage skills.
Last on the list is rookie Caleb Biggers. The Boise State product edges out A.J. Green, who has the experience but hasn't been great this preseason.
Safety (5):
Juan Thornhill
Grant Delpit
Rodney McLeod
D'Anthony Bell
Ronnie Hickman
Juan Thornhill and Rodney McLeod both had their fun on Saturday as each safety got a pick. Thornhill, however, took his back for a touchdown against his old team.
step in KC. take over KC. @Juan_Thornhill | #DawgPound pic.twitter.com/kRtJzKQbnj
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 26, 2023
Those two will really improve the secondary and should help Grant Delpit take another step in his development. With the two veterans excelling in coverage, Delpit will be allowed to attack more, which is where he shines.
D'Anthony Bell makes it as the fourth safety and they also keep Ronnie Hickman. The undrafted free agent from Ohio State has been great this preseason and while he might not play a lot as a rookie, he has the talent to develop into a contributor.
Specialists (3):
Cade York
Corey Bojorquez
Charley Hughlett
The Browns have continued to show support for Cade York even though he continues to give them reasons to move on. On Saturday, he whiffed badly on an extra point — and was injured on the play even. He returned and gave Cleveland a late lead when he knocked in a 40-yard field goal.
However, he missed a 43-yarder which would have given them the win. York signaled that it was deflected but it looked bad as soon as it left his foot. As many of his kicks have.
In the end, he's still the kicker until he finally costs them an important game.
Corey Bojorquez returns as the punter and he's been solid wherever he's played throughout his career. Charley Hughlett rounds things out as the long snapper.