With some rosters, it’s tough to cut to 53. With the Cleveland Browns, it’s tough to get to 53. There is such a lack of depth at some positions that finding the final few spots on the team is a bigger challenge than deciding who should go. Here’s a look at what could be the final 53, with the final cuts due by 4 p.m. ET on Saturday.
QUARTERBACK (3): DeShone Kizer, Cody Kessler, Kevin Hogan.
The Browns gave Brock Osweiler the start in the first two preseason games, then he didn't see the field in the final two. Hogan did and played very well, earning the third spot as the Browns go with the unusual move of three young quarterbacks. Kessler will be Kizer's backup.
RUNNING BACK (3): Isaiah Crowell, Duke Johnson, Matthew Dayes
Dayes is a rookie who had a strong preseason, but when the season rolls around, Crowell and Johnson will be the main backs.
FULLBACK (1): Danny Vitale
He’s the only fullback on the roster, so …
WIDE RECEIVER (6): Kenny Britt, Corey Coleman, Ricardo Louis, Rashard Higgins, Rannell Hall, Jordan Leslie
The prime area of concern on the team is right here. Britt has been invisible this preseason, and none of the young receivers have stepped forward. In a passing era, the Browns lack playmakers at a vital position.
TIGHT END (3): Randall Telfer, David Njoku, Seth DeValve
Telfer is starting because he can block, but he does not present much of a receiving threat. Njoku and DeValve do, but both are inexperienced and raw. Njoku looked promising in the spring, but the game has been different for him at full speed with pads.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Joe Thomas, Joel Bitonio, JC Tretter, Kevin Zeitler, Shon Coleman, John Greco, Rod Johnson, Spencer Drango, Austin Reiter
The value of Greco is apparent. Because he has replaced the injured Bitonio (knee), the Browns have to keep another center, so Reiter makes it.
DEFENSIVE LINE (9): Myles Garrett, Danny Shelton, Jamie Meder, Emmanuel Ogbah, Trevon Coley, Larry Ogunjobi, Carl Nassib, Tyrone Holmes, Caleb Brantley
Coley has been the most pleasant surprise of the preseason. Nassib played his way onto the team by playing well in the preseason. Caleb Brantley earns a spot over Nate Orchard based on the final preseason game.
LINEBACKER (6): Chris Kirksey, Joe Schobert, Jamie Collins, Deon King, Dominique Alexander, James Burgess
Some serious depth concerns at this position. Here and at receiver are the spots where the Browns could look to add someone off the waiver wire.
CORNERBACK (5): Jamar Taylor, Jason McCourty, Briean Boddy-Calhoun, Darius Hillary, Marcus Burley
Hillary and Burley are guesses for spots 52 and 53. After the first three, it's a tossup. The Browns will probably be looking at waiver wire pickings here after final cuts. Draft pick Howard Wilson will start on the PUP list.
SAFETY (5): Jabrill Peppers, Derrick Kindred, Ibraheim Campbell, Calvin Pryor III, Kai Nacua
Nacua makes the team based on his special-teams ability.
SPECIALISTS (3): PK Cody Parkey, P Britton Colquitt, LS Charley Hughlett
There are no worries here. Parkey wins a close competition with Zane Gonzalez to be the team's kicker.