5 Cleveland Browns Players Who Should See Their Roles Expand in 2015

In the NFL, every team is undergoing changes constantly. Some of those changes are obvious—a new quarterback is drafted, a star linebacker is traded, a coveted cornerback leaves in free agency. Others are more subtle, involving small shifts to the depth chart and promotions for players who were marginal contributors a year previous.

With that in mind, here are five Cleveland Browns who should see their roles expand in 2015. Whether because of a clear roster vacancy, a strong 2014 season or simply because they are expected to make a second-year leap, these players should have a bigger on-field impact this year.

RB Glenn Winston

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The Browns added running back Glenn Winston off of waivers just prior to the start of the 2014 season. A month later, Cleveland general manager Ray Farmer said of Winston: "He's a great young running back...as talented or more so than the guys currently getting reps in front of him." 

Still, Winston didn't see any touches in the 2014 season, though he did appear in four games as part of the Browns' special teams unit. There was a chance he'd get playing time with the offense in December, with head coach Mike Pettine frustrated enough with Terrance West's fumbles and with Isaiah Crowell nursing a hip injury. That never came to be.

However, Winston could be in line for a larger role on offense in 2015. Winston, who has a similar north-south running style to Crowell, could serve as Crowell's primary backup, with West holding a change-of-pace role.

Given that the Browns' quarterback situation remains murky, it's not hard to imagine the Browns offense being run-game-centric this year. Should that be the case the Browns will need more than just Crowell and West carrying the rock. Winston won't be relegated to just special teams duties in 2015.

OL Michael Bowie

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The Browns claimed offensive lineman Michael Bowie off of waivers after suffering a summer shoulder injury as a member of the Seattle Seahawks. He was then immediately placed on injured reserve, allowing the Browns to retain him for 2015 without fear of him being poached again.

Bowie now appears to be a candidate to push current right tackle Mitchell Schwartz for playing time, or even his roster spot. Head coach Mike Pettine, discussing the right tackle position in February, said, "We're very interested to see what [Bowie] brings to the table. Whether he can give us some depth there or compete for a starting position."

Schwartz played all 1,078 Browns offensive snaps in 2014, and he was Pro Football Focus' 33rd-ranked offensive tackle (out of 84). But given how highly Pettine regards Bowie, it's possible his return to full health could precipitate a shakeup on the offensive line. And even if Bowie does not steal Schwartz's job outright, it looks like the Browns may find a way to get him on the field this season. 

CB Pierre Desir

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If there's one position the Browns are seemingly set at, it's cornerback. In addition to stalwart starter Joe Haden, the Browns also have a trio of second-year players—Justin Gilbert, Pierre Desir and K'Waun Williams—as well as a veteran free-agent addition, Tramon Williams.

Among the three younger cornerbacks, Desir seems poised for an expanded on-field role in 2015. Desir, a fourth-round selection from Lindenwood, appeared in only three games in 2014 with one start, recording nine tackles and two passes defensed. Though Gilbert has the first-round draft pedigree, his struggles off the field in 2014 could affect his playing time in 2015, giving an edge to Desir.

In fact, it looks as though the younger Williams is a greater threat to Desir's chances to either play boundary corner this year or slot corner, rather than Gilbert. But between the three, Desir appears to have the mental and physical edge that will result in increased playing time. As former Browns cornerback Buster Skrine said of Desir in December, "He goes about his business like a true professional, and that's the reason he was able to step in and play cornerback at a high level."

DL John Hughes

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Though Browns defensive lineman John Hughes only has seven career starts since being drafted by the team in the third round of the 2012 draft, the coaching staff and front office thought highly enough of him to sign him to a four-year, $14.4 million contract extension in March. 

Hughes appeared in five games in 2014 with three starts and totaled 17 tackles in a season marred by hamstring issues early on and an MCL tear that kept him off the field from midseason until Week 17. But the re-signing indicates that the Browns have high hopes—and a larger role—for Hughes this year.

Hughes is capable of playing both defensive tackle and defensive end, and is primarily a run-stopper. The latter is important, given that the Browns defense ranked last in the league in 2014 against the run. With an expanded role for a healthy Hughes as part of Cleveland's defensive line rotation, hopefully those run defense numbers will improve drastically in 2015.

LB Chris Kirksey

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Perhaps the most under-the-radar selection by the Browns in the 2014 NFL draft was that of linebacker Chris Kirksey, taken in Round 3. But Kirksey impressed as a rookie, playing the third-most snaps—693—of any Browns linebacker, with 289 played against the run, 66 as a pass-rusher and 338 in pass coverage, per Pro Football Focus.

Bolstered by the mentorship of fellow linebackers Karlos Dansby and Craig Robertson, Kirksey outperformed expectations as a rookie. And this means more playing time for him in his second season.

Kirksey totaled 81 combined tackles including five tackles for a loss, two sacks and three passes defensed in his rookie year. Given that performance, it appears likely that Kirksey will take snaps away from his two mentors in 2015.