the Cleveland Browns complement and tinker with the squad since the defeat against the AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round of the playoffs. General Manager Andrew Berry has strengthened defense and increased competition in every position. These moves were the forerunner for a talented and deep squad.
Here is the projected depth plot for the Browns in week 1.
Beginners are indicated with
offense
The Browns decided to keep two quarterbacks in the roster. Baker Mayfield enters a contract year. Case Keenum is a reliable replacement in the unfortunate event that Mayfield is injured. Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt are slam dunk employees for the running back. D’Ernest Johnson played really well and is a safety blanket in case either Chubb or Hunt get injured. Versatile weapon Demetric Felton
has the ability to play either running back or wide receiver. Can the Browns repeat their epic season with 11 wins? How will Baker Mayfield do in year # 4?Download the CBS Sports app and get the latest news, insights and surprising predictions from our team of experts
. If you already have the app, be sure to set the Browns as your favorite team for lightning-fast updates. KhaDarel Hodge was a difficult cut, but Cleveland had to make that decision if they wanted to keep just five receivers. Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins, Donovan Peoples-Jones and Anthony Schwartz
would get roster seats. An injury to Stephen Carlson
led the team to keep only three on the active list. Cleveland has three very good tight ends when it’s healthy: Austin Hooper, David Njoku, and Harrison Bryant.
Cleveland went hard in its retention of offensive linemen. Jedrick Wills, Joel Bitonio, Wyatt Teller, Jack Conklin, Chris Hubbard, JC Tretter, and Nick Harris were easy choices. The Browns are now very deep, keeping James Hudson III, Blake Hance and Michael Dunn as well. When the initial 53-man roster was announced in 2020, nine offensive linemen were listed.
defense The rotation of the defensive tackle should be fairly obvious as veterans Malik Jackson and Andrew Billings mix with the youngsters Tommy Togiai
and Jordan Elliott. Fifth place goes to former second-round pick Malik McDowell, who played really well last season. The edge rusher position was slightly in the air behind Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney. Takk McKinley was mysteriously absent for most of the training camp but returned in time to earn a spot on the 53-man roster. Injury to Clowney or Garrett would be pretty demoralizing. In this case a call is atOlivier Vernon
. Second year linebacker Jacob Phillips
was on the first 53-man roster, suggesting the team believes he could return this season. He should be added to the injured reserve shortly. LSU’s bayou tigers were seriously injured with the Browns last year. Odell Beckham Jr., Grant Delpit, Greedy Williams and Phillips all suffered end-of-season injuries; the first three should be ready for the start of the regular season. Aside from the Phillips complication, the Browns kept projected starters Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and Anthony Walker. Malcolm Smith’s veteran presence is important.Tony Fields II
, a five-round pick from West Virginia, hasn’t practiced much this off-season, but the team decided it was too risky to smuggle him through waivers. An injury to Phillips opened the door for Mack Wilson to join the list. Linebacker depth is important for special teams. The secondary school was relatively clear. Troy Hill, Denzel Ward, Greg Newsome II and Greedy Williams were safe in the cornerback. AJ Green and MJ Stewart were kept for depth. Safe and secure, the team is confident to be out and about with John Johnson III, Ronnie Harrison, Grant Delpit and outstanding rookie actorsRichard LeCounte
.
Special teams
When Cody Parker was added to the Injury Reserve, it ended the competition between him and McLaughlin. Chase McLaughlin, who is in his third season in Illinois, converted within 50 yards on all four field goal attempts last season. In the previous year he successfully implemented 18 of 23 field goals.
Cleveland had no competition for either Charley Hughlett or Jamie Gillan at training camp. Gillan averaged 44.0 yards per punt in 2020, making it 27th in the league.
