Cleveland Browns 53-man roster projection: Training camp predictions include close QB pick

BEREA — An attempt was made at an initial 53-man roster projection after the Cleveland Browns concluded their mandatory minicamp on June 12. It was a projection based off an offseason program with a whole lot of non-contact reps in helmets and shorts.

The Browns, though, are ready to change that with the start of training camp. The rookies reported on July 18, the veterans reported on July 22, and now they're ready to conduct their first full-squad practice.

That means another perfect opportunity to make a projection. Here's the latest guess at what the initial 53-man roster will look like when the 4 p.m. Aug. 26 deadline arrives.

Will this end up being that first 53? Who knows, but let's dive on in anyway.

Offense (24)

Quarterbacks (3)

• Joe Flacco
• Dillon Gabriel
• Shedeur Sanders

The first time this projection came out, it had Kenny Pickett and not Flacco. At the time, the analysis said this: "The next time a projection comes out, it may very well have Joe Flacco and not Pickett on this list. If this had been written on an even-numbered minute instead of an odd-numbered one, it could've been Flacco and not Pickett. Long story short, it feels very much like it's an either/or situation with the two experienced quarterbacks who are part of the four-man competition, and Pickett got the initial nod because of two things. One is the fact the Browns traded to acquire him first, on the first day of the free-agency period, and the other is the number of reps he got in the two open OTAs and three minicamp practices. Of course, all of that goes out the window once training camp gets started, which is why it very well could end up being Flacco. The one thing that seems obvious, though, is that both rookies seem like safe bets to be on the roster at the end of the day." A month or so later, it turned out to be an even-numbers minute when this was written, so it is Flacco instead of Pickett, although everything written there remains true now. In fact, there's always a chance that all four quarterbacks are kept, at least for the initial 53.

Running backs (3)

• Jerome Ford
• Dylan Sampson
• Pierre Strong Jr.

Quinshon Judkins' July 12 arrest on a domestic violence charge creates a massive question mark for this group. The reality is, assuming he signs his contract, he's likely to start the season either on the Commissioner's Exempt list or the suspended list like Mike Hall Jr. did a year ago. That's why he's not listed among this group. It feels like the Browns will keep this initial group at three and use the extra spot at another position. If they do keep a fourth, it's undrafted rookie Ahmani Marshall or fullback Troy Hairston as the current options, although they very well could still add a running back during training camp or even after roster cuts.

Tight ends (3)

• David Njoku
• Harold Fannin Jr.
• Blake Whiteheart

Coach Kevin Stefanski and offensive coordinator Tommy Rees love to utilize tight ends in their offensive schemes. Still, it's a question of whether it'll be three or four on the active 53-man, or if they'll keep someone like Brendan Bates on the practice squad and just use a game day elevation for the fourth spot.

Wide receivers (6)

• Jerry Jeudy
• Diontae Johnson
• DeAndre Carter
• Cedric Tillman
• Jamari Thrash
• Kaden Davis

This is a group to watch once training camp actually gets underway — mostly because there are a lot of variables that could shuffle some of these names around. Jeudy is a definite, and Tillman and Thrash both look that way. Carter's spot is as much because of his work in the return game as anything. Johnson will have training camp to prove he was worth the one-year, vet-minimum, non-guaranteed deal he was given in April. Davis, meanwhile, has garnered rave reviews for his work in the offseason program and could be the surprise of the group. Obviously, Michael Woods II and David Bell will be in consideration if they can stay on the field.

Offensive line (9)

• Ethan Pocic (C)
• Joel Bitonio (G)
• Wyatt Teller (G)
• Jack Conklin (T)
• Dawand Jones (T)
• Teven Jenkins (G/T)
• Cornelius Lucas (T)
• Luke Wypler (C)
• Zak Zinter (G)

Nothing's changed from the post-minicamp projection here. That's because this group needs to throw the pads on and get into some full-contact drills to figure out if there's a 10th who makes it or if it's someone else besides Zinter who's the ninth man.

Defense (26)

Defensive line (10)

• Myles Garrett (DE)
• Mason Graham (DT)
• Maliek Collins (DT)
• Joe Tyron-Shoyinka (DE)
• Shelby Harris (DT)
• Alex Wright (DE)
• Isaiah McGuire (DE)
• Julian Okwara (DE)
• Sam Kamara (DE)
• Jowon Briggs (DT)

This group still needs to get on the field with actual full-contact reps to really get a feel for the way they could fall. The release of Ogbo Okoronkwo freed up a spot. Mike Hall Jr.'s offseason knee surgery, which he continues to rehab, is likely to land him on the PUP list to open the regular season, so that's a spot. That could open the door to a versatile defensive lineman like Kamara, who can play both end and tackle and has been a favorite of the coaching staff, or second-year pro Briggs. Special teams was where Okwara has made a name for himself in previous stops.

Linebackers (6)

• Jordan Hicks
• Mohamoud Diabate
• Carson Schwesinger
• Jerome Baker
• Winston Reid
• Devin Bush Jr.

Bush's legal troubles in Pennsylvania, and any potential league- or team-mandated discipline, are something to monitor. He very well could be in the same situation as Judkins, starting the season on either the exempt or suspended list. For now, he's listed. Nathaniel Watson was a very tough cut here, although his special teams capabilities could be their pathway onto the roster. So, too, could be the decision to keep five or six linebackers.

Defensive backs (10)

• Denzel Ward (CB)
• Martin Emerson Jr. (CB)
• Greg Newsome II (CB)
• Grant Delpit (S)
• Ronnie Hickman (S)
• Damontae Kazee (S)
• Rayshawn Jenkins (S)
• Cameron Mitchell (CB)
• Nik Needham (S)
• Tony Brown II (CB)

Needham is, for now, working full-time at safety. However, he's also played cornerback in his career, positional versatility that could give him the edge. Brown II may end up being the odd man out, depending especially on Judkins and Bush and their status with the league, although his special teams contributions are certainly his ticket onto the roster.

Specialists (3)

• Dustin Hopkins (K)
• Corey Bojorquez (P)
• Rex Sunahara (LS)

Nothing's changed with these three over the last month. Check back when they start playing games.

Chris Easterling can be reached at [email protected]. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Browns roster prediction: Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett swap spots