Cleveland Browns: Breaking Down Final Roster and Week 1 Starters
The Cleveland Browns reduced their roster to 53 players on Saturday, per the NFL's rules. Though this roster will see myriad changes, not just this week but also throughout the season, we do have some idea of how the pecking order will play out.
Here's a look at the Browns' current 53-man roster and who is projected to start for the team in its Week 1 contest against the New York Jets.
Quarterback
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Quarterback: Josh McCown, Johnny Manziel, Austin Davis
Starter: Josh McCown
Unlike last year, the Browns are keeping three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster—starter Josh McCown and backups Johnny Manziel and Austin Davis. Davis was signed on Monday and placed on the 53-man roster because he has no practice squad eligibility. Connor Shaw, meanwhile, is on injured reserve for the 2015 season. Last year, he was on the practice squad.
Manziel could eventually take over for McCown this year if McCown falters or falls injured. But McCown is guaranteed to be the man under center in Week 1 against the New York Jets.
Running Back
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Running Back: Isaiah Crowell, Duke Johnson, Malcolm Johnson (FB)
Starter: Isaiah Crowell
In a surprising-to-some move, the Browns traded 2014 Round 3 draft pick, running back Terrance West, to the Tennessee Titans for a conditional seventh-round 2016 draft pick, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. But the trade does leave the Browns thin at running back, with just projected Week 1 starter Isaiah Crowell and rookie Duke Johnson currently on the 53-man roster.
Shaun Draughn was brought back to the team's practice squad on Sunday and could be called up to the active roster in time for Sunday's game. Or the Browns could add another back later in the week. Johnson is still in the NFL's concussion protocol, which also makes the need for an additional back even greater.
Malcolm Johnson, the team's fullback, won't just be used as a traditional blocker. Look to him to be more like the Oakland Raiders' Marcel Reece—more of an H-back and a receiver than anything else.
Wide Receiver
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Wide Receiver: Dwayne Bowe, Brian Hartline, Andrew Hawkins, Taylor Gabriel, Travis Benjamin, Marlon Moore, Terrelle Pryor
Starters: Dwayne Bowe, Brian Hartline, Andrew Hawkins
Trying to figure out the Browns' receiver starters is difficult. Though not as stacked a group as it was before roster cuts, at least six of the seven on the Browns' current roster could also see significant playing time in Week 1.
Because Brian Hartline has developed fast chemistry with quarterback Josh McCown, he gets the nod. Andrew Hawkins, the team's leading receiver in 2014, also earns a Week 1 start, in the slot. Dwayne Bowe, though sparingly used during the summer as he recovered from a hamstring strain, also gets plugged in with the starters as a field-stretching deep threat.
But these three won't permanently push the likes of Taylor Gabriel and Travis Benjamin off the field; the two will be key receiving targets for McCown. The only question mark is Terrelle Pryor—he didn't catch a preseason pass, but his upside is such that the team felt it necessary to keep him around. Marlon Moore, meanwhile, will work exclusively on special teams.
Worth noting is that preseason standout Josh Lenz and 2015 Round 4 draft pick Vince Mayle were released and not signed to the practice squad. But there are two openings presently, so one or both may return.
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Tight End
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Tight End: Gary Barnidge, Jim Dray, Rob Housler, E.J. Bibbs
Starter: Gary Barnidge
Veteran tight end Rob Housler, whom the Browns signed as a free agent in the spring, was expected to come in and take on the starting role that belonged to Jordan Cameron. But a rough start to training camp and the preseason had his roster spot in jeopardy.
Housler improved as the summer wore on, enough for head coach Mike Pettine to declare Housler had "[finished] on a high note," and was earning himself a spot on the 53-man roster (via CantonRep.com's Steve Doerschuk).
But Gary Barnidge has been the tight end to prove he can do it all this summer, which makes him the starter. Jim Dray is more of a blocking tight end, but he can catch passes. E.J. Bibbs, the only undrafted rookie on the Browns' 53-man roster, simply played too well this summer to risk trying to stash him on the practice squad. It may take some time, though, for Bibbs to get on the field. This is a crowded position.
Offensive Line
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Offensive Line: Joe Thomas, Joel Bitonio, John Greco, Alex Mack, Mitchell Schwartz, Cameron Erving, Austin Pasztor
Starters: Joe Thomas, Joel Bitonio, Alex Mack, John Greco, Mitchell Schwartz
Despite the Browns drafted offensive lineman Cameron Erving in Round 1 of the 2015 draft, the team's offensive line starters won't change from 2014. A healthy Alex Mack comes back at center, Joe Thomas and Mitchell Schwartz will serve as tackles and Joel Bitonio and John Greco are the guards.
Cleveland's offensive line depth is a concern, with only Erving and Austin Pasztor, signed Sunday, backing up the starters. But the Browns do have three offensive linemen on the practice squad and could make other moves at the positional group this week.
Defensive Line
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Defensive Line: Armonty Bryant, Desmond Bryant, John Hughes, Billy Winn, Danny Shelton, Xavier Cooper, Randy Starks, Jamie Meder
Starters: Armonty Bryant, Desmond Bryant, Danny Shelton, Randy Starks
Figuring out the Browns' starters on the defensive line is difficult. Three or four players will get the technical start on Sunday—aka the first defensive snap—but numerous ends and tackles will see playing time, not just against the New York Jets, but all season long.
Armonty Bryant will serve as a edge-rushing defensive end/linebacker hybrid. Desmond Bryant and Randy Starks should see some of the higher reps of the team's ends, and Danny Shelton is penciled in as the defensive or nose tackle (depending on formation) for at least two, if not three downs.
Joining them not just on the roster but also on the field will be John Hughes, Billy Winn, rookie standout Xavier Cooper and even Jamie Meder, who made a strong case this summer for a spot on the team.
Linebacker
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Linebacker: Karlos Dansby (ILB), Chris Kirksey (ILB), Paul Kruger (OLB), Barkevious Mingo (OLB), Scott Solomon (OLB), Tank Carder (ILB), Craig Robertson (ILB), Nate Orchard (OLB)
Starters: Paul Kruger, Scott Solomon, Barkevious Mingo, Karlos Dansby, Chris Kirksey
Karlos Dansby and Chris Kirksey have established themselves as the Browns' starting interior linebackers. They should be getting the first snaps in Week 1, and though the likes of Craig Robertson or Tank Carder could get situational work, they won't be demoted at this point.
At outside linebacker, things are a little more complicated. Paul Kruger will be a full-time starter and won't cede many snaps to rookie Nate Orchard. But on the other side of the field, Scott Solomon and Barkevious Mingo will be splitting time.
Solomon will handle early downs, which makes him a "starter," but Mingo's prowess in coverage particularly will see him on the field often. Thus, the two can be considered more like co-starters—complementary pieces rather than competing ones.
Cornerback
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Cornerback: Joe Haden, Tramon Williams, K'Waun Williams, Justin Gilbert, Charles Gaines (IR-Recall), Pierre Desir, Johnson Bademosi (CB/S)
Starters: Joe Haden, Tramon Williams, K'Waun Williams
As long as K'Waun Williams' health is no longer an issue, he will be the Browns' starting slot cornerback in Week 1. Tramon Williams and Joe Haden, meanwhile, are certain locks to start on the outside.
Justin Gilbert is looking to have an opportunity to bounce back in his second season and could get that shot if K'Waun Williams is still hurt or underperforms. But with Pierre Desir also on the roster, Gilbert may have to be stuck on the bench this year. Charles Gaines, placed on the injured reserve-recall list on Monday, looked strong when given opportunities during the summer and could also push Gilbert later in the year.
Johnson Bademosi, meanwhile, can play both cornerback and safety in a pinch, but he's around almost exclusively for what he brings the Browns on special teams.
Safety
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Safeties: Tashaun Gipson, Donte Whitner, Jordan Poyer, Ibraheim Campbell, Johnson Bademosi (CB/S)
Starters: Tashaun Gipson, Donte Whitner
There is no safety controversy in Cleveland, with Tashaun Gipson and Donte Whitner firmly entrenched as the team's starters. Jordan Poyer and rookie Ibraheim Campbell, meanwhile, serve as backups to both players. And Johnson Bademosi, as already noted, can play safety or cornerback but is primarily a special teams player.
Campbell, in particular, has turned heads this summer. He may not see a lot of on-field time, given how talented Gipson and Whitner are, but he does look destined to be a future starter in Cleveland. Poyer, too, has impressive upside. There may be only five safeties on the Browns' current roster, but the depth of talent makes the unit one of the team's strongest positions.
Special Teams
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Special Teams: Travis Coons (K), Andy Lee (P), Charley Hughlett (LS), Travis Benjamin (KR/PR), Duke Johnson (KR/PR), Justin Gilbert (PR/KR)
The Browns are set at kicker, with Travis Coons beating out Carey Spear, at punter after trading for Andy Lee earlier in the year and at long snapper, after picking Charley Hughlett to handle the job over Christian Yount in May.
Kick and punt returner, though, could see numerous players taking on the role. Receiver Travis Benjamin seems most likely to handle kickoffs, though he could also field punts as well. Rookie running back Duke Johnson and cornerback Justin Gilbert could also be worked into the Browns' return game.
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