Browns roster analysis: Which players are 53-man locks, which are on the bubble?
In the days that precede that deadline, the Browns will make some obvious cuts and potentially pursue trades to address positions of need. In the hours that follow, they can explore options for their standing as second on the league's waiver wire and begin building their 16-man practice squad.
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Though the active roster is always fluid, especially in late August and early September, the impending deadline spurs plenty of activity leaguewide.
The Browns are mostly set with their starters. They announced on Monday that quarterback Joe Flacco will start the Sept. 7 season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals. However, there's still no real answer on when second-round rookie running back Quinshon Judkins might be eligible to sign and join the team.
So, here's my best guess as to how the roster stands and which players still have plenty to gain this week in practice and in Saturday's preseason finale against the Los Angeles Rams.
Quarterback: Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel
Running back: Jerome Ford, Dylan Sampson
Wide receiver: Jerry Jeudy, Cedric Tillman, Jamari Thrash, Isaiah Bond
Tight end: David Njoku, Harold Fannin Jr.
Offensive linemen: Dawand Jones, Joel Bitonio, Ethan Pocic, Wyatt Teller, Jack Conklin, Teven Jenkins, Luke Wypler, Cornelius Lucas (injured)
Defensive end: Myles Garrett, Isaiah McGuire, Alex Wright
Defensive tackle: Maliek Collins, Mason Graham
Linebacker: Carson Schwesinger, Devin Bush, Jerome Baker
Cornerback: Denzel Ward, Greg Newsome II, Cameron Mitchell, Myles Harden
Safety: Grant Delpit, Ronnie Hickman, Rayshawn Jenkins (injured)
Barring injury or surprise trade/change of circumstances, the players listed above are locks. Bond has yet to practice with the Browns, but he signed a fully guaranteed three-year deal on Monday.
Lucas and Jenkins dealt with injuries last week, but the extent of those injuries is unknown. Lucas is slated to be the team's top backup tackle on both sides, so that's a situation worth monitoring.
Quarterback: Kenny Pickett, Shedeur Sanders
Offensive lineman: Zak Zinter
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Defensive end: Joe Tryon-Shoyinka
Defensive tackle: Shelby Harris
Linebacker: Mohamoud Diabate (injured)
Cornerback: Tony Brown, who's also a front-line special teams player
We're waiting for more clarity on the quarterback injuries. It seems that the Browns are headed for keeping four on their initial 53-man roster, as they did last year. Zinter should make the team, but he doesn't appear to be the top backup at any position.
Still, the Browns should keep at least nine offensive linemen considering their best four are all signed only for 2025. Cleveland would probably like to be able to trade a quarterback before next week, but it remains to be seen if that will be a realistic possibility.
Harris is 34 and has no guaranteed money on his deal, so he's just short of a lock at this stage, but he probably will begin the season playing in the defensive line rotation.
Kicker: Dustin Hopkins
Punter: Corey Bojorquez
Long snapper: Rex Sunahara
Hopkins will probably be the kicker. If the Browns don't fully trust him, they could explore outside options or keep a kicker on the practice squad. Andre Szmyt has been the second kicker this offseason and made two field goals Saturday in Philadelphia.
Running back: Pierre Strong Jr.
Wide receiver/kick returner: DeAndre Carter
Tight end: Blake Whiteheart
Linebacker: Winston Reid
Whiteheart's limited camp participation can only be translated as he's safe, unless the team finds an external upgrade. Carter was held out of Saturday's preseason game against the Eagles, which also might be a clue. As a vested veteran, Carter wouldn't be subject to waivers if the Browns cut him next week and then brought him back before the season. Strong has been a solid special teams player, but the running back room remains unsettled.
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If you're tracking to this point, that's a total of 44 players plus three specialists before things get more cloudy for the final handful of spots to be settled by next Tuesday.
Quarterback: Deshaun Watson
Running back: Quinshon Judkins
Wide receiver: David Bell
Defensive tackle: Mike Hall Jr.
Hall has been on the active physically unable to perform list while recovering from a January knee surgery. The team has provided no real update. Bell is on the non-football injury list, and his status is unknown. Watson is also on active-PUP but won't be ready to start the season. He'll land on the regular-season PUP list next week.
Judkins won't be formally charged following his July 12 domestic violence arrest, but he's still subject to potential NFL discipline depending upon the results of the league's investigation.
The NFL has not made any ruling, Judkins remains unsigned and the Browns have not commented on his chances of playing at any point early this season. If he's suspended or remains unsigned, he doesn't count on the active roster.
Running back: Ahmani Marshall
Wide receiver: Gage Larvadain, Kaden Davis
Offensive tackle: Jackson Barton
Larvadain probably is on the right side of the bubble and continues to impress, but Bond's addition makes things at least a little bit uncertain. If the Browns need extra spots for defensive linemen, defensive backs or a fourth quarterback, they could go light at receiver or tight end on the initial 53-man roster.
Defensive end: Cameron Thomas, Julian Okwara
Defensive tackle: Jowon Briggs, Sam Kamara
Linebacker: Nathaniel Watson
Cornerback: Dom Jones, Chigozie Anusiem (injured)
Safety: Damontae Kazee
Top to bottom, the Browns' strongest position right now seems to be defensive end. Look for some difficult decisions and possibly a trade next week if a team in need of pass rush help comes calling.
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The makeup of the bottom of the defensive line group could depend on Hall's availability and any potential waiver claims Cleveland might make next week.
Dom Jones is a taller cornerback who's made a nice push over the last two weeks and figures to be in the team's plans, even if he doesn't make the initial roster. Anusiem was playing with the first and second defensive units before he was injured two weeks ago.
Wide receiver: Diontae Johnson
Tight end: Brenden Bates
Offensive linemen: Javion Cohen, Jason Ivey
Defensive end: KJ Henry
Defensive tackle: Adin Huntington, Ralph Holley
Safety: Christopher Edmonds, Donovan McMillon, Nik Needham
I could be wrong about any of these players — and depending on roster movement over the next two weeks, several of them could be in and out of the plans. But Johnson has been outplayed in camp. Even though his role would be different than Bond's, that addition doesn't help his chances, either.
The Browns will certainly keep potential reinforcements on both lines, at tight end and cornerback on the practice squad.
(Top photo of Diontae Johnson: Nick Cammett / Getty Images)
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