Way Too Early 2022 Browns 53-Man Roster Projection

[CBBI]

These are always fun...

Offense (25)
QB (2): Deshaun Watson, Jacoby Brissett
RB (5): Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, D'Ernest Johnson, Jerome Ford, Demetric Felton
FB (0): None
WR (6): Amari Cooper, Donovan Peoples-Jones, David Bell, Anthony Schwartz, Jakeem Grant, Free Agent
TE (3): David Njoku, Harrison Bryant, Free Agent
OL (9): Jedrick Wills, Joel Bitonio, Nick Harris, Wyatt Teller, Jack Conklin, Chris Hubbard, Michael Dunn, Ethan Pocic, James Hudson

Toughest cuts: Johnny Stanton, Blake Hance, Dawson Deaton, Mike Woods

Obviously guessing no Watson suspension here as well.

Defense (25)
DE (5): Myles Garrett, Chase Winovich, Alex Wright, Isaiah Thomas, Free Agent
DT (4): Taven Bryan, Perrion Winfrey, Jordan Elliott, Tommy Togiai
LB (6): Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Anthony Walker, Jacob Phillips, Sione Takitaki, Tony Fields, Free Agent
CB (6): Denzel Ward, Greg Newsome, Greedy Williams, Martin Emerson, AJ Green, Herb Miller
S (4): John Johnson III, Grant Delpit, Ronnie Harrison, Richard LeCounte

Toughest cuts: Stephen Weatherly, Sheldon Day

Special Teams (3)
K (1): Cade York
P (1): Corey Bojorquez
LS (1): Charley Hughlett

 

[KCOTT]

Agree with most of the list. Looking back at the draft I'm kinda surprised we didn't take a TE at all.

 

[Vee-Rex]

Agree with most of the list. Looking back at the draft I'm kinda surprised we didn't take a TE at all.

I hear you, but when I think about it it's not that surprising. We have a decent 1-2 punch with Njoku and Bryant, and there are plenty of vet TEs out there that can be signed to fill in the 3rd spot. Not to mention with Deshaun at the helm we may be able to run more spread compared to last year.

I think Njoku is gonna have a big year as long as he can stay healthy.

 

[Los216]

I've never been this excited for preseason. Feels like this is the hardest Browns roster to make since 99.

 

[MGMT]

i don’t want to derail the he thread so I can start a 2023 regular season thread if appropriate but this camp is going to be really interesting to see where some of our developmental guys stand.

Will this off-season in strength and conditioning be enough to get Hudson where he needs to be as far as a Conklin replacement in 2023? Harris is getting thrown right in as it stands so it will be interesting — albeit he has more direct competition.

 

[Phills14]

These are always fun...

Offense (25)
QB (2): Deshaun Watson, Jacoby Brissett
RB (5): Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, D'Ernest Johnson, Jerome Ford, Demetric Felton
FB (0): None
WR (6): Amari Cooper, Donovan Peoples-Jones, David Bell, Anthony Schwartz, Jakeem Grant, Free Agent
TE (3): David Njoku, Harrison Bryant, Free Agent
OL (9): Jedrick Wills, Joel Bitonio, Nick Harris, Wyatt Teller, Jack Conklin, Chris Hubbard, Michael Dunn, Ethan Pocic, James Hudson

Toughest cuts: Johnny Stanton, Blake Hance, Dawson Deaton, Mike Woods

Obviously guessing no Watson suspension here as well.

Defense (25)
DE (5): Myles Garrett, Chase Winovich, Alex Wright, Isaiah Thomas, Free Agent
DT (4): Taven Bryan, Perrion Winfrey, Jordan Elliott, Tommy Togiai
LB (6): Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Anthony Walker, Jacob Phillips, Sione Takitaki, Tony Fields, Free Agent
CB (6): Denzel Ward, Greg Newsome, Greedy Williams, Martin Emerson, AJ Green, Herb Miller
S (4): John Johnson III, Grant Delpit, Ronnie Harrison, Richard LeCounte

Toughest cuts: Stephen Weatherly, Sheldon Day

Special Teams (3)
K (1): Cade York
P (1): Corey Bojorquez
LS (1): Charley Hughlett

With a looming suspension for Watson, you don't see Josh Dobbs making the roster? Or Baker Mayfield?

 

[KCOTT]

has there been any recent news on Malik McDowell? was he ever released?

 

[CBBI]

has there been any recent news on Malik McDowell? was he ever released?

He was on a 1-year contract which expired after the season.

 

[Smooth]

I think you have it about right, the key position battles for me are--

How many skill position players? 14 seems to be a good number for RBs, WRs and TEs... Does Stanton moonlight as the 3rd TE with Stefanski liking the FB or does he go all-in on shotgun personnel with Watson... Whether the Browns have DEJ return could be the slot for a veteran WR + Michael Woods making the team...

How many offensive linemen, 9 or 10? In perfect world I could see Stefanski wanting to keep 10 but with the overload of skill position players and needs elsewhere, they could keep 9... Hudson and Dunn seem locked in as backups with Pocic and Hubbard having the upper hand on the last two spots, pending any decline in their abilities... Deaton will likely push Pocic and Hance will likely push Hubbard.. Alex Taylor is the sleeper to watch with tackle depth needed this year and next...

The 9 defensive linemen seems right especially with the names you have listed... Thomas, Garrett, Wright and hopefully Clowney all posses some inside rush ability that could alleviate a light DT group... I'm still trying to figure out what their plan is at NT, which is a place I could see them adding a veteran (Ogunjobi or Goldman?) at likely costing Jordan Elliot a roster spot..

I do wonder with how lightly they addressed the LB spot if they perhaps opt for 5 LBs and use that extra roster spot elsewhere... Despite Woods using a lot of 5 and 6 DB looks, the Browns still kept a 6th LB for depth and special teams... I have to imagine this is a spot where Malcolm Smith or another veteran could get a late off-season add to provide some protection against injury..

10 DBs seems right with how Woods likes to utilize them but I see that 10th DB either a veteran slot corner added or someone who can play that MJ Stewart role, bouncing between CB and S when needed..