BEREA — The Cleveland Browns concluded their mandatory minicamp on June 12. Other than four scheduled voluntary OTA days between June 16-19, there’s nothing else on their calendar until training camp gets underway in late July.
So, in other words, it is a perfect time to take a swing at projecting how the Browns’ initial 53-man roster will look when it’s unveiled by 4 p.m. Aug. 26.
Naturally, with the Browns having only done about three weeks’ worth of on-field team activities, there’s some — maybe even a lot of — guesswork going to be involved in some of the spots. That’s especially true in the areas where the best way to evaluate players is once the full equipment is put on and the full-contact drills begin in camp.
That’s not going to happen for more than a month. Until training camp gets here, though, here’s a guess at how the initial 53 will look for the Browns.
Offense (26)
Quarterbacks (3)
The next time a projection comes out, it may very well have Joe Flacco and not Pickett on this list. If this had been written on an even-numbered minute instead of an odd-numbered one, it could’ve been Flacco and not Pickett. Long story short, it feels very much like it’s an either/or situation with the two experienced quarterbacks who are part of the four-man competition, and Pickett gets the initial nod because of two things. One is the fact the Browns traded to acquire him first, on the first day of the free-agency period, and the other is the number of reps he got in the two open OTAs and three minicamp practices. Of course, all of that goes out the window once training camp gets started, which is why it very well could end up being Flacco. The one thing that seems obvious, though, is that both rookies seem like safe bets to be on the roster at the end of the day.
Running backs (4)
There’s not much to add. It’s not really much of a competition to see who’s at the top of this position group. Strong’s contributions on special teams make him valuable.
Tight ends (4)
Coach Kevin Stefanski and offensive coordinator Tommy Rees love to utilize tight ends in their offensive schemes. That’s why it feels like four tight ends will end up on the roster, although another option could end up being a weekly game day elevation of a tight end off the practice squad if there’s a squeeze at another position.
Wide receivers (6)
This is a group to watch once training camp actually gets underway — mostly because there are a lot of variables that could shuffle some of these names around. Jeudy is a definite, and Tillman and Thrash both look that way. Carter’s spot is as much because of his work in the return game as anything. Johnson will have training camp to prove he was worth the one-year, vet-minimum, non-guaranteed deal he was given in April. Davis, meanwhile, has garnered rave reviews for his work in the offseason program and could be the surprise of the group. Obviously, Michael Woods II and David Bell will be in consideration if they can stay on the field.
Offensive line (9)
The first eight are all but locks. Zinter feels like he’s in a make-or-break season to show growth from the struggles he had during his rookie season. Javion Cohen is another option at guard.
Defense (24)
Defensive line (10)
This group needs to get on the field with actual full-contact reps to really get a feel for the way they could fall. There’s also the question about Hall’s knee injury, which he has been rehabbing during the offseason program. That could limit some of his preseason reps, which could open the door for someone else, such as Sam Kamara, who has been a favorite of the defensive coaches over the last couple of years and could easily edge someone out of a spot. Okwara’s special teams chops could make him extra valuable.
Linebackers (5)
Jerome Baker and Nathaniel Watson were very tough cuts on this version. Bush’s legal issues in Pennsylvania could open up one spot. A decision to keep five or six linebackers also will be huge.
Defensive backs (9)
Needham’s addition gives the Browns the kind of versatile defensive back that allows for a bit of flexibility. He can play both safety and cornerback, which means they can keep him and maintain a balance between both spots. Tony Brown II and Myles Harden are two players who could find their way onto the roster with special teams work.
Specialists (3)
It’s pretty much cut and dried here.
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
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Browns 53-man roster projection: Post-minicamp prediction include close QB pick
Reporting by Chris Easterling, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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