The biggest storyline for the Cleveland Browns is the results of the disciplinary hearing for QB Deshaun Watson. Former Browns QB Baker Mayfield and Watson have dominated a majority of the headlines surrounding the team all offseason.
With the acquisitions of WR Amari Cooper, DE Chase Winovich and KR/PR/WR Jakeem Grant, Cleveland added some key ingredients to their roster. Bringing back DE Jadeveon Clowney, TE David Njoku, LB Anthony Walker Jr. and S Ronnie Harrison helped keep a talented core intact.
The talent on the team’s roster should get more headlines than it does but the uncertainty around Watson shrowds it in mystery. While WR Jarvis Landry, TE Austin Hooper and OL J.C. Tretter were released, the Browns additions, including their draft picks, should have the team improving in 2022.
Depending on injuries and trades, we may see the team having to cut talented young players when the initial 53-man roster is announced. Taking a look at our latest projection for that initial roster, how many roster spots are up in the air?
For this conversation, we will assume Watson is on the roster for Week 1 because if he isn’t another QB will take his spot.
Making The Team – 37
- QBs: Deshaun Watson, Jacoby Brissett
- RBs: Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, D’Ernest Johnson
- WRs: Amari Cooper, Donovan Peoples-Jones, David Bell, Jakeem Grant
- TEs: David Njoku, Harrison Bryant
- OL: Jedrick Wills, Joel Bitonio, Nick Harris, Wyatt Teller, Jack Conklin, Chris Hubbard, James Hudson
- DEs: Myles Garrett, Jadeveon Clowney, Chase Winovich, Alex Wright
- DTs: Taven Bryan, Perrion Winfrey
- LBs: Anthony Walker, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Jacob Phillips
- CBs: Denzel Ward, Greg Newsome II, Greedy Williams, Martin (MJ) Emerson
- S: John Johnson III, Grant Delpit, Ronnie Harrison
- STs: Cade York, Corey Bojorquez, Charley Hughlett
Likely Making The Team – 8
- RBs: Demetric Felton, Jerome Ford
- WR: Anthony Schwartz
- OL: Blake Hance
- DTs: Jordan Elliott, Tommy Togiai
- LB: Tony Fields II
- CB: A.J. Green
Roster Spots Likely Up For Grabs – 8
There may be some players, like Sione Takitaki, that could be added to one of the above lists and maybe a player or two, like Fields, that you might take off of the list.
In the end, around eight roster spots seem to be up for grabs with a lot of names fighting for those spots. The front office and coaching staff may find themselves deciding between keeping a more talented player or keeping a player at a position that isn’t as deep.
Training camp could be very interesting with a lot of discussion around roster spots available.
