Browns Players Who Need Impressive Camp to Avoid Being Cut

There's been plenty of news surrounding the Cleveland Browns of late, most of which having to deal with the quarterback position. Baker Mayfield was recently traded to the Carolina Panthers, while new Browns starter Deshaun Watson is awaiting a potential suspension from the NFL for numerous allegations of sexual assault and misconduct.

So it's not yet clear who will be under center for Cleveland in Week 1 of the 2022 season. But that's not the only uncertainty pertaining to the Browns' roster as they prepare for the full start of training camp on July 27.

Position battles will be taking place at plenty of other spots, while there will be some players on the bubble trying to prove they should earn a spot on the 53-man roster at the end of camp. However, not everybody will make the team, as cuts are inevitable in the preseason.

Here's a look at several Cleveland players who need to have strong showings this summer to avoid being in jeopardy of getting cut at the end of camp.

D'Ernest Johnson, RB

AP Photo/Ron Schwane

Cleveland Browns' D'Ernest Johnson takes part in drills at the NFL football team's practice facility Tuesday, June 14, 2022, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

Is D'Ernest Johnson talented enough to be on an NFL roster? Absolutely. He did a tremendous job filling in at times for the Browns last season, rushing for 534 yards and three touchdowns while appearing in all 17 games (playing in some much more than others).

But Cleveland has quite a crowded running back picture at the moment. Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt are set to get the bulk of the playing time, while Johnson, Demetric Felton and rookie Jerome Ford (a fifth-round pick) will all be competing for snaps during camp.

ESPN's Jake Trotter recently noted that Johnson could be the "odd man out" of the backfield, considering Chubb and Hunt are the starters and Felton and Ford are were drafted by the Browns over the past two years. Johnson may have signed a one-year extension earlier this offseason, but as Trotter noted, the 26-year-old only has $900,000 in guaranteed money.

It seems more likely that Cleveland would look to trade Johnson before releasing him. But if teams aren't willing to part with anything (especially if they assume the Browns could be cutting him), then they may have no choice, because it'd be difficult to carry five RBs.

However, if Johnson plays so well during camp that Cleveland has to keep him, then he could keep his job for 2022.

Blake Hance, OL

AP Photo/Nick Wass

Cleveland Browns guard Blake Hance (62) in action during the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Blake Hance was a valuable offensive lineman for the Browns over the past two years because of his versatility. Although he mostly profiles as a guard, he provided depth at tackle, too, while playing 17 games and making eight starts last season.

But Hance got onto the field a lot out of necessity. Since the end of last year, Cleveland has gotten stronger up front, bolstering a unit that needed to improve. There's now better depth at the tackles behind Jack Conklin and Jedrick Wills Jr., so Hance will likely move back inside.

The Browns have solid options at guard as well, though. Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller are the clear starters, which will leave Hance battling for a backup job with some other solid players, such as Michael Dunn, Drew Forbes and Ethan Pocic.

If Hance is going to make Cleveland's roster again this year, he'll need to prove that he's a better option to be a reserve guard than some of those other backups. His versatility may not be enough for him to make the team, so this could be an important camp for the 26-year-old.

Jordan Elliott, DT

AP Photo/Ron Schwane

Cleveland Browns' Jordan Elliott runs through a drill during an NFL football practice at the team's training facility Wednesday, May 25, 2022, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

Jordan Elliott could be one of the Browns' starting defensive tackles in 2022, or he may not even make the team. There are a bunch of players who can fill the positions on Cleveland's roster, although not many of them are top-tier starting options at the moment.

Taven Bryan, who signed with the Browns after four seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, is likely to be one starting DT. The other spot could go to Elliott if he has a strong camp, but tackles such as rookie Perrion Winfrey, Tommy Togiai, Sheldon Day and a couple of others will also be in the mix. But it's unlikely they all make the roster.

Over his first two seasons, Elliott has played 32 games and made four starts. However, he has only 41 tackles and 0.5 sacks in sporadic playing time. But if he takes a big step forward this summer, he could put up bigger numbers in 2022.

If Elliott doesn't fare well in camp, though, he could be on the roster bubble. So it'll be important for him to show that he's ready to take on a larger role, rather than be in a position where he'll potentially be on his way out.