The Cleveland Browns must cut their roster to 75 by 4 p.m. Tuesday (Aug. 30) and to 53 by 4 p.m. Saturday (Sept. 3). Here’s a 53-man roster projection:
QUARTERBACK (3): Robert Griffin III, Josh McCown, Cody Kessler
The top two on the depth chart have had a history with injury, so don't be surprised if Austin Davis returns at some point.
RUNNING BACK (3): Isaiah Crowell, Duke Johnson Jr., Raheem Mostert
Mostert gets the nod as the third back because he's listed as the top kickoff returner. Crowell and Johnson are vital parts of Hue Jackson's offense.
FULLBACK (1): Malcolm Johnson
Not sure if he'll average even 20 plays per game given the multiple formations Jackson uses.
WIDE RECEIVER (6): Terrelle Pryor, Corey Coleman, Andrew Hawkins, Rashard Higgins, Jordan Payton, Marlon Moore
Josh Gordon will be suspended the first four games; his return changes the receiving group. His suspension opens up a spot for Payton. Ricardo Louis heads to the practice squad.
TIGHT END (3): Gary Barnidge, Connor Hamlett, Randall Telfer
Barnidge might not repeat his success from 2015, but he'll be every bit as good a player. Hamlett could be an effective and tall weapon in the scoring zone.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Joe Thomas, Joel Bitonio, Cam Erving, John Greco, Austin Pasztor, Dan France, Garth Gerhart, Spencer Drango, Shon Coleman
Whether they admit it publicly or not, there are serious concerns about Erving at center and about the right tackle spot. Nobody has emerged as solid replacements for lost players, and both Erving and Pasztor have had lowlight screen moments.
DEFENSIVE LINE (7): John Hughes, Danny Shelton, Xavier Cooper, Carl Nassib, Jamie Meder, Emmanuel Ogbah, Nick Hayden
This unit lacked depth and impact when training camp started, and although it has a couple of rookies who can contribute, the line still lacks depth and impact.
LINEBACKER (8): Paul Kruger, Demario Davis, Chris Kirksey, Nate Orchard, Tank Carder, Dominique Alexander, Justin Tuggle, Joe Schobert
See the comment on the defensive line about lack of depth and impact. This could be a very, very long season for the defense.
SECONDARY (10): Joe Haden, Jamar Taylor, Tramon Williams, Charles Gaines, Pierre Desir, Jordan Poyer, Ibraheim Campbell, Rahim Moore, Derrick Kindred, Trey Caldwell
Taylor had a chance to win a job, but the way he played leaves the door open for Williams to start and Taylor to be the nickel. It's just not possible to see Justin Gilbert on the roster. The Browns forced him on the field over and over, and he was, at best, inconsistent.
SPECIALIST (3): K Patrick Murray, P Andy Lee, LS Charley Hughlett
Murray beats out Travis Coons in what seems like a pretty easy decision. It will take Lee a while to live down his non-effort on Tampa Bay's punt return touchdown Friday night.