Projected Cleveland Browns' Final 53-Man Roster, Pre-Training Camp Edition

We're just about two weeks away from the Cleveland Browns opening training camp, and one month after that, the team will have to be trimmed down from 90 players to 53.

Much goes into this decision, most importantly the way the players perform in camp and in their four preseason games. But let's make some early predictions anyway. Here is the Browns' projected 53-man roster heading into training camp.

Quarterback

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In: Josh McCown, Johnny Manziel, Connor Shaw

No matter what comes—or doesn't come—from any alleged quarterback battle in the Browns' training camp this summer, there will be a place for Johnny Manziel on the roster. Right now, it looks like he'll be behind Josh McCown and ahead of Connor Shaw. Shaw will be the team's third quarterback and could be called upon for duty at any time—that's how it worked last year, at least.

Wide Receiver

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In: Andrew Hawkins, Dwayne Bowe, Brian Hartline, Taylor Gabriel, Vince Mayle, Darius Jennings, Terrelle Pryor

Andrew Hawkins, the Browns' leading receiver from 2014, will be a major part of their offense again this year, but he'll mostly work out of the slot, with Dwayne Bowe and Brian Hartline working on the outside.

Spelling these receivers will be Taylor Gabriel. Rookies Vince Mayle and Darius Jennings both seem on their way to making the 53-man roster, with former quarterback Terrelle Pryor a surprise entrant on the roster. If he is a quick enough study this summer, he'll be an asset, as he can allow the Browns a bit more offensive flexibility. 

Running Back

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In: Isaiah Crowell, Terrance West, Duke Johnson, Glenn Winston, Malcolm Johnson (Fullback/H-Back)

Unsurprisingly, Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West will reprise their roles as the Browns' top rushers for a second straight year, but this season they will be joined by rookie Duke Johnson in a three-man committee.

Coaching-staff-favorite Glenn Winston will serve as a backup, while Malcolm Johnson will be in as the team's fullback and H-back. Return man Shaun Draughn could also earn a spot if the Browns carry one less wide receiver.

Tight End

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In: Rob Housler, Jim Dray, Gary Barnidge

The Browns' tight end rotation is simple. Rob Housler will be a pass-catcher in the mold of former Browns tight end Jordan Cameron, Gary Barnidge will serve both as a blocker and a receiver and Jim Dray will primarily handle blocking duties.

Fullback/H-back Malcolm Johnson could also be included on this list, because if he makes the 53-man roster, he'll be seeing some passing targets as well as blocking assignments.

Offensive Line

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In: Alex Mack, Joel Bitonio, Joe Thomas, Cam Erving, John Greco, Mitchell Schwartz, Michael Bowie, Ryan Seymour

The offensive line may be the strongest position group on the Browns offense this year, as it has been in years past.

At center, Alex Mack will return from his 2014 injury and continue to show why he's the league's highest-paid at his position. Joel Bitonio will serve as left guard, with rookie Cam Erving likely to end up starting at right guard. That moves John Greco to a reserve role as both a guard and tackle and means Mitchell Schwartz will again be right tackle. Left tackle, of course, is Joe Thomas.

Backing this group up along with Greco will be swing tackle Michael Bowie and Ryan Seymour, who can play guard as well as center—he stepped in for much of the second half of the 2014 season after Mack was injured.

Defensive Line

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In: Armonty Bryant, Desmond Bryant, Phil Taylor, John Hughes, Randy Starks, Danny Shelton, Billy Winn, Ishmaa'ily Kitchen

The Browns use a rotational defensive line, which makes defensive end and tackle two of the deepest positions on the 53-man roster. At tackle, Phil Taylor and rookie Danny Shelton will split time, whether in a 3-4 or a 4-3 base—or, as head coach Mike Pettine likes to say, a 3.5-3.5 base. Randy Starks will also play tackle and end. 

John Hughes and Billy Winn, meanwhile, will spend most of the year at defensive end, along with Desmond Bryant. Armonty Bryant will play a hybrid role of defensive end and outside linebacker and will see most of his time on pass-rushing downs. Ishmaa'ily Kitchen will serve as a backup, primarily at tackle. But all of these players could see hundreds of snaps this year because of the nature of the Browns defensive line.

Linebacker

Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

In: Karlos Dansby, Chris Kirksey, Barkevious Mingo, Paul Kruger, Nate Orchard, Craig Robertson, Scott Solomon

The Browns are less rotational in their linebacker corps than they are on defensive line, but we may see some creative combinations this season. At inside linebacker, Karlos Dansby and Chris Kirksey will be starters, but Craig Robertson will also be on the field regularly.

At outside linebacker, Paul Kruger will try to reprise his role as Cleveland's sack leader. Scott Solomon will likely join him on early downs while Barkevious Mingo will handle later downs and coverage duties.

Nate Orchard, the Browns' second-round draft pick this year, will also be slowly worked in. He should be a pass-rush specialist to begin the year but he could start stealing snaps from his veteran counterparts as the season wears on.

Safety

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In: Tashaun Gipson, Donte Whitner, Jordan Poyer, Johnson Bademosi

Tashaun Gipson and Donte Whitner will reprise their roles as the Browns' starting safeties this year, but if Gipson gets injured again, as he did to close out 2014, Jordan Poyer will be ready to step in. Poyer worked with the first-team defense in OTAs during Gipson's holdout and got more reps during Gipson's minicamp hamstring strain. Poyer could even open training camp working with the starters.

He won't close it out as the starter, though. Gipson is just too good. Rounding out the position is special teams ace Johnson Bademosi. Rookie Ibraheim Campbell would then be a practice squad candidate, but if the Browns want to go thinner at another position, he could be added as depth and special teams support.

Cornerback

Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

In: Joe Haden, Tramon Williams, K'Waun Williams, Justin Gilbert, Pierre Desir

The depth chart may be a mystery right now, but the Browns cornerbacks who seem the most likely to make the 53-man roster right now are easy to spot. Joe Haden will be starting and it looks like 2015 free-agent acquisition Tramon Williams is destined to start next to him. But 2014 first-rounder Justin Gilbert could push him for his job this summer.

If not, Gilbert will be battling with 2014 standout K'Waun Williams for the slot cornerback job, while Pierre Desir will be backing up the whole crew. Expect at least one cornerback to sit in reserve on the practice squad, including 2015 draft picks Charles Gaines and Ifo Ekpre-Olomu.

Special Teams

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In: Carey Spear, Andy Lee, Charley Hughlett

Given that the Browns put a lot of effort into reworking most of their special teams unit this offseason, there shouldn't be many changes. The Browns traded a 2017 seventh-round draft pick to the San Francisco 49ers for punter Andy Lee, guaranteeing he has a roster spot this year. The same can be said for long snapper Charley Hughlett, who was chosen over Christian Yount in late May.

The only unknown now is the kicker. There will be a summertime battle between Carey Spear and Travis Coons for the job, with the resolution unlikely before the end of the preseason. Spear gets the advantage at this early moment, but only because his hard-hitting reputation from college gives him added value.

Full 53-Man Roster

Tony Dejak/Associated Press

Quarterback: Josh McCown, Johnny Manziel, Connor Shaw

Wide Receiver: Dwayne Bowe, Brian Hartline, Andrew Hawkins, Taylor Gabriel, Darius Jennings, Vince Mayle, Terrelle Pryor

Running Back: Isaiah Crowell, Terrance West, Duke Johnson, Glenn Winston, Malcolm Johnson (fullback/H-back)

Tight End: Rob Housler, Jim Dray, Gary Barnidge

Offensive Line: Alex Mack, Joe Thomas, Joel Bitonio, Cam Erving, Mitchell Schwartz, John Greco, Michael Bowie, Ryan Seymour

Defensive Line: Desmond Bryant, Armonty Bryant (defensive end/outside linebacker), Phil Taylor, John Hughes, Randy Starks, Danny Shelton, Billy Winn, Ishmaa'ily Kitchen

Linebacker: Karlos Dansby, Chris Kirksey, Barkevious Mingo, Paul Kruger, Nate Orchard, Scott Solomon, Craig Robertson

Safety: Tashaun Gipson, Donte Whitner, Jordan Poyer, Johnson Bademosi

Cornerback: Justin Gilbert, Joe Haden, Tramon Williams, K'Waun Williams, Pierre Desir

Special Teams: Carey Spear (kicker), Andy Lee (punter), Charley Hughlett (long snapper)