Cleveland Browns Way-Too-Early 53-Man Roster and Depth Chart Predictions

The 2016 NFL draft has come and gone.

Now that we know what the Cleveland Browns roster looks like, it's time for a look ahead at how it may project next season. Though the 2016 NFL regular season doesn't open for another four months, almost everyone who will make up the 53-man roster is currently with the Browns.

But after making a host of draft selections, it's far from easy to project who will make the final cut. Since there's a new regime led by Hue Jackson and Sashi Brown, you can bet that few players will be assured of a spot on next season's roster.

Sure, guys like Joe Thomas, Joe Haden and Gary Barnidge will probably be there. However, there aren't many other guys who you can confidently say will be on the opening-day roster. 

Here is a way-too-early look at how that final roster could end up.

Quarterback (3)

Starter: Robert Griffin III

Backup: Josh McCown

Third String: Cody Kessler

As of now, expect the Browns to keep both of their veteran quarterbacks in Robert Griffin III and Josh McCown.

They'll then compete for the starting job through training camp and the preseason. The early edge goes to RG3, but don't count out McCown, especially now that he has the QB whisperer that is Hue Jackson.

Behind them will likely be USC's Cody Kessler. He was the team's third-round selection, which means he'll almost certainly make the final roster.

You just don't take a QB that high and then cut him that same year. Connor Shaw is good enough to be a backup or third-stringer, but he ends up getting waived during final cuts. 

Running Back (5)

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Running back

Starter: Duke Johnson Jr.

Backup: Isaiah Crowell

Third String: Glenn Winston

Fourth String: Raheem Mostert

Fullback

Starter: Malcolm Johnson

After the Browns didn't draft a running back this year, it's pretty easy to project how the running back depth chart looks. 

Duke Johnson Jr. and Isaiah Crowell split time as the starters last year. While Crowell has showed flashes of being a solid back, he's too inconsistent to remain the starter.

Instead, Johnson will emerge and take over the starting role after a promising rookie season. There's no question he's the most talented running back on the roster. 

As for the backups, Glenn Winston and Raheem Mostert will look to hold off Terrell Watson for those final two spots. Watson spent last year on the Bengals practice squad before following Hue Jackson to Cleveland. 

Wide Receiver (6)

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Starters: Andrew Hawkins, Corey Coleman, Taylor Gabriel

Backups: Brian Hartline, Rashard Higgins, Jordan Payton

As of now, both Andrew Hawkins and Brian Hartline will be on the roster next season, though either could be a cap casualty between now and the regular-season opener.

With so many young receivers now on the roster, there's a decent chance one of them is cut. For now, though, they remain on the roster and will help mentor the youngsters.

The Browns went all out on drafting receivers in this year's draft. The three guys they got in the latter rounds were Ricardo Louis, Rashard Higgins and Jordan Payton. 

Of those three, expect Higgins and Payton to make the final roster. Louis will make a strong push for a roster spot, but unless someone is cut or gets injured, he ends up on the practice squad. 

Tight End (3)

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Starter: Gary Barnidge

Backup: E.J. Bibbs

Third String: Connor Hamlett

There's no question who the starter here is, as tight end is one of the few strengths on this roster.

That's because Gary Barnidge emerged last season and became a Pro Bowl-caliber tight end who can be a focal point in this offense. So long as he's in Cleveland, Barnidge is the No. 1 tight end.

Behind him is a promising talent in E.J. Bibbs. Though he wasn't drafted last year as many expected, he still made the Browns' 53-man roster and should do so again in 2016.

After Bibbs, Connor Hamlett and fourth-round pick Seth DeValve look the likeliest tight ends to win that third-string spot. What helps Hamlett is he's a decent blocking tight end who can also sneak in some snaps at fullback if needed. 

Offensive Line (8)

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Starters: Joe Thomas, Cameron Erving, John Greco, Joel Bitonio, Austin Pasztor

Backups: Spencer Drango, Alvin Bailey, Michael Bowie 

For the 10th time since 2007, Joe Thomas will lead the way for the Browns offensive line.

After a lot of speculation that Thomas could be traded by the rebuilding Browns, it never did come to fruition, per Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post. He'll continue to be Cleveland's blindside protector and one of the NFL's best tackles.

But after him, there's a lot of uncertainty with the rest of the line. It looks like Joel Bitonio will stick to left guard, though he's versatile enough to move around.

The starting center spot likely goes to Cameron Erving by default. Alvin Bailey, Michael Bowie and John Greco will fight for the other starting guard spot. 

Austin Pasztor may only have to fend off rookie Spencer Drango to hold on to his starting right tackle spot. 

Defensive Line (6)

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Starters: Danny Shelton, Desmond Bryant, John Hughes

Backups: Carl Nassib, Jamie Meder, Xavier Cooper

The Browns defensive line is still a big mess after it wasn't addressed much in the draft.

However, Desmond Bryant is a quality lineman who should be able to build off his career-high six-sack season. Danny Shelton showed flashes of becoming a quality defender, but he's not there yet.

After them, there will be a lot more competition for the other starting spot along Ray Horton's 3-4 defensive line. Newcomer Carl Nassib should challenge for a starting spot, but Jamie Meder and Xavier Cooper are good enough to start as well. 

Linebacker (10)

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Starters: Christian Kirksey, Demario Davis, Nate Orchard, Paul Kruger

Backups: Emmanuel Ogbah, Armonty Bryant, Barkevious Mingo, Tank Carder, Joe Schobert, Scooby Wright III

The linebackers could look very different when the 2016 season opens compared to 2015. 

Gone are Karlos Dansby and Craig Robertson after being the heartbeat of Cleveland's defense last year. Those two accounted for 167 tackles and four interceptions last year after recording 192 stops and three picks in 2014. 

But Cleveland did manage to sign Demario Davis in free agency. He was a quality linebacker with the Jets and should win a starting spot this year.

Starting next to him will be up-and-comer Christian Kirksey. On the outside will be veteran Paul Kruger and promising second-year 'backer Nate Orchard. 

As for the backups, second-round pass-rusher Emmanuel Ogbah will play a lot as a rookie, as too will veteran Armonty Bryant. This is a make-or-break year for Barkevious Mingo as he's been wildly inconsistent thus far in his career. 

Cornerback (6)

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Starters: Tramon Williams, Joe Haden

Backups: K'Waun Williams, Charles Gaines, Justin Gilbert, Pierre Desir

The Browns should open 2016 with the same starting cornerback tandem they did in 2015. 

Tramon Williams and Joe Haden can be a very effective duo when they're both on the field. The problem is Haden missed much of 2015 due to injuries, but he should be fine this year.

Backing them up will be promising youngsters Charles Gaines, K'Waun Williams and Pierre Desir. The same cannot be said of Justin Gilbert, who's been a massive bust to this point in his career.

Gilbert has been a good return man, but he's got to start making a bigger impact on defense. Williams is poised for a breakout Year 3 and may spend time at safety again. 

Safety (4)

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Starters: Ibraheim Campbell, Rahim Moore

Backups: Jordan Poyer, Derrick Kindred

The Browns defensive backfield will look very different this year when it comes to the safeties.

Cleveland parted ways with veteran Donte Whitner this offseason. He was arguably the biggest leader for this defense, but now the Browns are on a youth movement. 

That's why second-year safety Ibraheim Campbell will be thrust into a starting role. He was a solid backup last year and should be able to handle being a starter.

The same is true of veteran Rahim Moore. He was signed this offseason to come in and take over the starting position left vacated by Tashaun Gipson.

Gipson left this offseason to sign with the Jaguars. That also helps fourth-round rookie Derrick Kindred earn a backup role along with Jordan Poyer in 2016. 

Special Teams (3)

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Kicker: Travis Coons

Punter: Andy Lee

Long Snapper: Charley Hughlett 

There's little to no debating who wins the special teams spots. 

Travis Coons did enough as a rookie to earn the spot again in 2016. He doesn't even have other competitors for his spot currently on the roster. 

The same is true of punter Andy Lee. He had a solid 2015 season and should retain his starting spot next year.

Charley Hughlett has been a good long snapper for two years now. He's probably not getting replaced in 2016. He's also the only long snapper on the roster. 

Full 53-Man Roster

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Quarterback: Robert Griffin III, Josh McCown, Cody Kessler

Wide Receiver: Brian Hartline, Andrew Hawkins, Taylor Gabriel, Corey Coleman, Rashard Higgins, Jordan Payton

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

Tight End: Gary Barnidge, E.J. Bibbs, Connor Hamlett

Offensive Line: Joe Thomas, Joel Bitonio, Cam Erving, John Greco, Michael Bowie, Spencer Drango, Austin Pasztor, Alvin Bailey

Defensive Line: Desmond Bryant, John Hughes, Danny Shelton, Carl Nassib, Jamie Meder, Xavier Cooper

Linebacker: Demario Davis, Chris Kirksey, Barkevious Mingo, Paul Kruger, Nate Orchard, Armonty Bryant, Tank Carder, Joe Schobert, Scooby Wright III

Safety: Jordan Poyer, Ibraheim Campbell, Rahim Moore, Derrick Kindred

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

Special Teams: Travis Coons (kicker), Andy Lee (punter), Charley Hughlett (long snapper)

The final Browns roster should come out looking fairly similar to these projections.

While this franchise is in the midst of a massive rebuild, it's still somewhat easy to project how the roster shakes out. The surprises could come if veterans like Josh McCown, Brian Hartline, Andrew Hawkins or Tramon Williams end up being cap casualties.

While all those guys have enough left in the tank to make positive contributions in 2016, they don't have many good years left and Cleveland may want to make room for the younger guys to play more.

That's just how the NFL works. We shouldn't be surprised to see a few vets deserving of roster spots end up being released so young prospects can play more.

Other than that, this is what the Browns' 53-man roster would look like if it were made today.