BEREA — “Make or break” might be a strong term for the Browns’ 2026 offseason, but it’s only marginally stronger than what the reality is for the team.
An 8-26 record the last two seasons cost coach Kevin Stefanski his job, and he was replaced by Todd Monken. Andrew Berry remained on as general manager, buoyed in part by a strong 2025 draft class as well as a handful of other moves during the year.
However, the time is ticking to reestablish the Browns on a playoff trajectory, which they have been on at different times over the last decade. That’s where this offseason does rise to a level of significant importance to keep the train on those tracks.
Both the initial wave of free agency and the NFL draft have come and gone. With the offseason program just about to enter phase two and the rookies joining the mix, it’s a good time to take a look at the roster as it stands, without rookie undrafted free agents who are still signing, with initial thoughts on who may make it all the way to the opening-day 53-man roster of the season.
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Cleveland Browns 2026 draft class
Cleveland Browns 2026 free-agent, trade acquisitions
Cleveland Browns 2026 roster
Offense
Quarterback
Dillon Gabriel, Taylen Green, Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson
Three of the four here will stay. The fourth has a chance to stay on the practice squad. Considering it’s shaping up as an offseason/training camp battle for the job between Sanders and Watson, it feels like Gabriel could be the odd man out here.
Running back
Quinshon Judkins, Ahmani Marshall, Dylan Sampson, Raheim “Rocket” Sanders
This is another position where three of four likely will stay on the roster. Marshall and Sanders seem likely to battle for the cut line. There will be further additions over the next few weeks with UDFAs who could change things, but it’s all for the spot or potentially two behind Judkins and Sampson.
Wide receiver
Isaiah Bond, Denzel Boston, KC Concepcion, Malachi Corley, Luke Floriea, Jerry Jeudy, Gage Larvadain, Jamari Thrash, Cedric Tillman, Tylan Wallace, Isaiah Wooden
Want to see a position group that’s getting a total makeover by the time the cuts happen in August? Jeudy, Boston, Concepcion, Corley and, likely, Bond look like the five that will be near-locks. Wallace could stick just because of his special-teams contributions. So what does that mean for Tillman and Thrash in particular? It means it’s a massive offseason and training camp for them.
Tight end
Brenden Bates, Sal Cannella, Harold Fannin Jr., Caden Prieskorn, Joe Royer, Carsen Ryan, Jack Stoll, Blake Whiteheart
Monken loves to utilize the tight end in his offense, so this could be a spot where the Browns keep more than one would expect. Fannin being much more effective lining up on the perimeter of the formation makes Stoll and the two draft picks, Royer and Ryan, potentially more valuable.
Offensive tackle
Austin Barber, Jeremiah Byers, Jack Conley, Spencer Fano, Tytus Howard, Dawand Jones, KT Leveston, Tyre Phillips
Fano and Howard are the starters. Jones, Leveston and third-round pick Barber look like the group from which the backup tackles will come. There’s also the versatility factor that could help someone like Barber, who might eventually move inside.
Interior offensive linemen
Parker Brailsford, Kingsley Eguakun, Kendrick Green, Elgton Jenkins, Teven Jenkins, Zion Johnson, Luke Wypler, Zak Zinter
Versatility is massive with this group, which is why center and guard are lumped together here. Elgton Jenkins likely starts as the No. 1 center, but Brailsford and Wypler will be something to watch because it allows Jenkins to play his more natural position of guard. Johnson and Teven Jenkins would start on either side of Jenkins at the guard spots. There’s a certain make-or-break feel for Zinter, the 2024 third-round pick, although he’s also worked some at center to try to find a role somewhere.
Defense
Defensive end
Myles Garrett, Adin Huntington, Isaiah McGuire, Julian Okwara, Alex Wright
There will be multiple UDFAs added to this group by rookie minicamp, including first-round pick Fano’s younger brother, Logan. Still, this is a group that looks kind of set with a clear four at the top: Garrett (no, they’re not trading him, at least not anytime soon), Huntington, McGuire and Wright.
Defensive tackle
Maliek Collins, Kalia Davis, Mason Graham, Mike Hall Jr., Sam Kamara
Again, this group will add a couple of UDFAs, but breaking through for a roster spot will take an unreal performance. Collins, Davis and Graham feel lock-ish, and Hall is a former second-round pick who absolutely is in a show-me season.
Linebacker
Justin Jefferson, Easton Mascarenas-Arnold, Edefuan Olofoshio, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Winston Reid, Carson Schwesinger, Nathanial “Bookie” Watson, Quincy Williams
First thing’s first: Owusu-Koramoah remains on the active roster until the Browns elect to move him to the physically unable to perform list, which is what’s expected at some point. However, until that happens, he’s listed here. Schwesinger and Williams are your two starters here. From there, it’s going to be interesting to watch the battle both for the third starting spot as well as reserve roles. It feels like the number of linebackers kept in total will be either five or six, so those who can make a big difference on special teams will get the edge.
Cornerback
Tre Avery, Myles Bryant, Tyson Campbell, Myles Harden, Dom Jones, D’Angelo Ross, Denzel Ward
Ward and Campbell are the starters, obviously. The coaching staff is much higher on Harden than many fans may be, especially as a nickel option. Bryant’s versatility was a big draw to why the Browns signed him. Five seems like the number of cornerbacks who will ultimately be kept.
Safety
Grant Delpit, Christopher Edmonds, Ronnie Hickman, Donovan McMillon, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Daniel Thomas
The Browns will continue to employ a lot of three-safety looks, which it why it feels like the overall total of defensive backs will be split 50-50 between corners and safeties. Delpit, Hickman and McNeil-Warren are three locks. Thomas’ special-teams prowess has been what’s kept him in the league, so pencil him in there. Edmonds and McMillon, as well as any UDFAs, are the competition for the last perceived spot.
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Special teams
Specialists
Corey Bojorquez, Nik Constantinou, Rex Sunahara, Andre Szmyt
Constantinou was signed to a reserves/future deal in January, before it was known that Bojorquez was going to re-sign with the Browns. The veteran punter did sign, however, so it would be a head-sewn-to-the-carpet surprise if he isn’t the punter (and holder) when the season begins. Szmyt and Sunahara both were outstanding a year ago, the first time either had played a full 17-game schedule. That was especially true for Szmyt, who recovered from an unfathomably difficult opener to be one of the league’s most consistent kickers.
Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ. Sign up for Browns Insider newsletter at https://profile.beaconjournal.com/newsletters/browns-insider/
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: First look at Browns roster after free agency, NFL draft additions
Reporting by Chris Easterling, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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