Breaking Down Cleveland Browns Roster After the 2015 NFL Draft

The Cleveland Browns spent 12 picks in the 2015 NFL draft, partially overhauling a roster that was in need of a face-lift. 

There are still plenty of familiar faces around in Cleveland, but at least three rookies will compete for significant playing time in 2015. 

In addition to the rookies, a number of free-agent acquisitions will fill some holes and provide competition at various positions on the depth chart. 

One of the most shocking, and maybe concerning, aspects of the Browns' depth chart is just how few positions are set for a competition this summer. The majority of the returning starters from last year's 7-9 squad are locked into their jobs, and a few newcomers are safe at their positions as well. 

Perhaps that means the front-office and coaching staff are content with the direction the team is headed. 

Or maybe the team is simply headed for another disappointing season. 

Quarterback

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Some members of the media will undoubtedly try to bill this as a quarterback controversy, but it's actually a fairly straightforward situation: Josh McCown will start until Johnny Manziel is ready. 

Any struggles from McCown will lead to debate about when to put Manziel back under center, but the team proved last season they aren't going to rush him onto the field simply because the starter is struggling. 

The team has minimal hopes of competing in 2015, so the goal is simply to continue developing their young talent. If that means Manziel sits and learns, while McCown puts on a mediocre display week after week, then so be it.

As of right now the competition for the third-string job is between Thaddeus Lewis, who was with the team in 2011 and 2012 under Pat Shurmur, and Connor Shaw.

Running Back

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Running back is probably the position that will produce the most intriguing training camp battle, with three young backs all vying for carries. 

The most likely scenario has the Browns spitting carries between Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell. 

After the Browns parted ways with Ben Tate last season, West and Crowell received 100 percent of the carries given to running backs, with almost an even split between them (96 for Crowell; 90 for West). 

Between the two backs, West was slightly more productive overall and was certainly the more powerful runner between the two. 

West averaged 2.2 yards after contact per attempt and forced a total for 25 missed tackles. While Crowell forced just nine missed tackles with 1.9 yards after contact per rushing attempt. 

Based on those stats, West earned a significantly higher Elusive Rating (32.9 compared to Crowell's 13.6).

Crowell, however, was the more explosive back, breaking off nine runs of 15 or more yards—the same number generated by the rest of the Browns' running backs combine. 

With both backs bringing a slightly different style to the table, they complement each other well and figure to receive the bulk of the carries in 2015.

So where does Duke Johnson fit in?

It's reasonable to expect an occasional carry for Johnson, but the Browns targeted him for the impact he'll have on the passing game. 

In 2014, Johnson had more receptions (38) than all three Browns running backs combined (29). Pro Football Focus shares another record-breaking Johnson stat:

"

New Cleveland Browns HB Duke Johnson forced 15 missed tackles on receptions in 2014, the most of any running back in this draft class

— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) May 2, 2015"

The team may have failed to add an instant-impact weapon at wide receiver, but Johnson should give the passing game a boost as a threat out of the backfield.

If the Browns carry another running back for special teams duties, the competition will be between Shaun Draughn and Glenn Winston, both of whom were on the roster in 2014 but did not receive any carries.

Wide Receiver

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After losing nearly one-third of their receptions from a season ago in Josh Gordon, Miles Austin and tight end Jordan Cameron, the Browns made the receiver position a priority in free agency. 

Veterans Dwayne Bowe and Brian Hartline enter the fold and will compete for starting jobs with Andrew Hawkins and Taylor Gabriel. 

It's safe to assume Bowe will be one of the starters on the outside for Cleveland in 2015, with Hartline having a leg up on the competition for the other spot.

Hawkins was the Browns' primary slot receiver a season ago and led the team with 101 targets overall. But he hauled in just 63 of those, giving him a disturbingly low catch rate, considering nearly half his targets (49) came from the slot. 

Gabriel was a pleasant surprise as an undrafted free agent, catching 38 passes on 71 targets. But at 5'8", 167 pounds, it's tough to see much room for growth from Gabriel. 

What seems to be missing from the Browns' depth chart at receiver is the big target who can make plays downfield. 

Gabriel was the Browns' most frequently targeted receiver on passes 20 yards or more down the field, but given his size, he isn't the ideal receiver for that role. Following Gabriel in that category was 5'10" Travis Benjamin. 

Both Hartline and Bowe offer some size, but they lack the speed to be a viable threat downfield. In fact, the two receivers combined for just three receptions on 13 targets beyond 20 yards in 2014.

Many fans believed this was an area that should have been addressed in the draft, but the Browns only added Vince Mayle in the fourth round. 

While Mayle might offer the Browns some long-term potential, he fits the same physical profile as Bowe at this stage of his career—a receiver with decent size but the inability to stretch the field. PFF's Sam Monson provided some analysis regarding Mayle:

"

Ooh, Vince Mayle. Like it Cleveland. Guy's got big talent, but very iffy hands. Dropped a nation-leading 19 passes. Intriguing player

— Sam Monson (@PFF_Sam) May 2, 2015"

The interesting battle in training camp could be between Mayle and Marlon Moore. 

The Browns carried six receivers for much of the 2014 season, including Moore, due to his duties as a return specialist. If the Browns determine that Moore is too valuable on special teams to cut, it could put Mayle in a difficult position. 

And if you're looking for a sleeper on the depth chart, it's third-year pro Rodney Smith. 

The Browns added the 6'4" Smith off waivers from Minnesota last October. He played sparingly, receiving just one target (a Connor Shaw interception) in Week 17. Despite the limited experience, he's the one receiver on the roster who fits the physical profile of the big, deep threat the team needs.

Tight End

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Tight end is a difficult position to figure out for the Browns because so much has changed. 

Jordan Cameron is gone, opening up a glaring hole for a pass-catching tight end in the offense. 

The team signed Rob Housler from Arizona, who's likely to take over the role, but it appears to be a clear downgrade. 

Housler spent the first four years of his career in Arizona but failed to ever take control of the starting job. While he was the team's primary receiver at tight end in 2013, the Cardinals were disappointed in his performance and brought in John Carlson to replace him in 2014. Housler was relegated to backup duties and caught just nine passes. 

The Browns only other options, however, are Gary Barnidge, an adequate backup known for his blocking and possession receiving skills, and Jim Dray, a lesser version of Barnidge. 

To understand how the Browns plan to use the tight ends, perhaps new offensive coordinator John DeFilippo's time in Oakland needs to be analyzed. 

In 2014, the Raiders used Mychal Rivera almost exclusively as a receiver, rarely holding him back in pass protection. It's possible the Browns see this role for Housler and will use Barnidge and Dray for blocking duties. 

The interesting twist in the Raiders offense that has not been seen in Cleveland in recent years is the use of H-back Marcel Reece. 

Reece, a former college receiver, compares favorably to Malcolm Johnson, the Browns' sixth-round selection. Like Reece, Johnson also got his start as a receiver and offers a similar skill set as a versatile weapon in the backfield and on the line. 

It's possible Johnson will emerge as the Browns' secondary weapon from the tight end/fullback position. 

The Browns also drafted Randall Telfer in the sixth round. He's recovering from a foot injury; however, with no timetable for a return, he is unlikely to be in the team's plans for 2015.

Offensive Line

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Left Tackle: Joe Thomas

This one's easy. Thomas has started every game for the Browns since the start of the 2007 season and, barring injury, he's not going anywhere anytime soon. 

Left Guard: Joel Bitonio

Bitonio had a fantastic rookie year turning in PFF's fifth-highest grade of all guards. His run-blocking performance was key to the success of the Browns' rookie running backs. 

It's fairly safe to assume Bitonio is locked into this job for the foreseeable future, but there is one scenario worth tossing out there. 

Mitchell Schwartz was the Browns' weak link on the offensive line a season ago, and Bitonio played tackle in college at Nevada. If the Browns view rookie Cameron Erving as a better fit at guard than tackle, perhaps they would entertain the idea of giving him the left guard position, while shifting Bitonio to right tackle. 

It's not the most likely scenario, but it's something to consider. 

Center: Alex Mack

His days are probably numbered, as he's free to opt out of his contract at the season, but Mack is locked in for at least one more year at center before Erving takes over.

Right Guard: Erving or John Greco

This is a confusing situation for the Browns. 

Greco has been solid since taking over the starting job at right guard at the end of the 2013 season. In 16 starts at the position, he's posted a PFF grade of 17.3, which would have ranked ninth among all guards in 2014.

Would the Browns really dump Greco for a rookie with almost no experience at the position?

It seems like an unnecessary and risky move. 

Right Tackle: Schwartz or Erving

With limited options in the passing game and a stable of running backs, it's clear what type of team the Browns will be in 2015. 

Unfortunately, Schwartz is coming off a season in which he was graded at minus-6.6 in the run game by PFF.

Erving is an unknown, as he struggled at left tackle for Florida State last season before shifting to guard. But it's safe to assume the team will give him a look at right tackle in training camp.

Defensive Line

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There are too many scenarios along the defensive line to run through them all, but let's try to go through the basic strategy. 

Phil Taylor and Danny Shelton, in some combination, will share the duties of run-stuffing nose tackles, with Ishmaa'ily Kitchen factoring into the rotation in some capacity if he makes the team. 

Taylor's duties likely stop there, but Shelton is a more versatile weapon, which defensive coordinator Jim O'Neil will likely take advantage of to give opposing quarterbacks some different looks. In terms of recent Browns history, he'll likely play a role similar to Shaun Rogers in Rob Ryan's defense in 2010.

As for defensive end, training camp is going to be a wide-open competition between Randy Starks, Billy Winn, Desmond Bryant, John Hughes and rookie Xavier Cooper. 

In limited playing time due to injuries, John Hughes was the most impressive of the group in 2014. But it's anyone's guess as to who locks down the starting jobs.

Linebacker

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The linebacker unit looks almost identical to 2014.

At inside linebacker Karlos Dansby returns as the leader of the unit with Craig Robertson and Christian Kirksey rotating in next to him. The trio took all but 12 of the Browns snaps at the inside linebacker position a season ago.

On the outside, it's the same group with the exception of rookie Nate Orchard taking over for Jabaal Sheard. 

The key to the unit is Barkevious Mingo, who will likely lock down one of the starting spots at outside linebacker opposite Paul Kruger. 

Mingo made some strides in his sophomore year, but he still has yet to become the pass-rush force the Browns anticipated when selecting the athletic freak sixth overall in 2013. 

A year ago, Sheard, Kruger and Mingo took 95 percent of the Browns snaps at outside linebacker. Assuming Orchard fills Sheard's shoes, it's reasonable to expect a similar breakdown from the group in 2015.

It's worth noting that Armonty Bryant, who primarily played defensive line when healthy the past two seasons, is a candidate to factor in. His spot on the roster is not guaranteed, but he's a sleeper to keep an eye on in training camp. 

Seventh-round selection Hayes Pullard is a candidate to earn a backup job at inside linebacker, but he'll primarily be competing with Tank Carder for a special teams role.

Secondary

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Cornerback

The cornerback position is fairly easy to figure out, especially at the top of the depth chart. 

Joe Haden and free-agent signee Tramon Williams are locked in to starting spots, with K'Waun Williams likely returning as the team's primary nickel corner. 

The difficult piece of the puzzle to figure out is Justin Gilbert, whose rookie year was a complete bust. Realistically, the Browns probably can't count on him for much of anything based on what he showed last year. But if he puts it all together, suddenly the Browns have elite depth in the secondary. 

Pierre Desir, Robert Nelson and rookie Charles Gaines will likely form the competition for two final spots at cornerback.

Safety

Nothing significant has changed from a season ago, as Donte Whitner will play strong safety with Tashaun Gipson at free safety. 

Rookie Ibraheim Campbell will likely be Whitner's primary backup at strong safety, with Jordan Poyer appearing to be the only candidate to back up Gipson.

It's possible the team may shift one of their many cornerbacks to free safety, especially if Gilbert elevates his game and creates a crowded situation.

Special Teams

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Return Specialists

In 2014, Marlon Moore and Travis Benjamin returned the majority of the kicks. Benjamin will likely return, but Moore's job is in jeopardy due to the addition of Duke Johnson. 

Anything can happen in camp at this position, but Johnson would appear to be a safe bet to take the job away from Moore. 

Benjamin returned punts last year, but Johnson could be given an opportunity to compete for that role as well. 

Kicker

Garrett Hartley returns after closing out the season as the team's kicker, but he doesn't exactly have a stranglehold on the position. 

Rookie Marvin Kloss was invited to a try out this spring and has a chance to win the job if all goes well. Kloss was 7-9 from beyond 40 yards and 4-7 from 50 yards as a junior in 2013. His opportunities diminished greatly during his senior year, but he certainly has the leg for the position. 

It's entirely possible, however, that the Browns 2015 kicker isn't even on the roster at the moment. 

Punter

Spencer Lanning was a disappointment, ranking as PFF's fourth-worst kicker, but he likely returns for another year. Travis Coons, a second-year player the Browns picked up last December, is also on the roster as competition.

Long Snapper

Christian Yount returns as the long snapper. He has started every game at the position since he was acquired during the 2011 season.

 All stats from Pro Football Focus.