The Cleveland Browns open training camp July 25 at the team’s facility in Berea, Ohio. Here’s a 53-man roster projection:
QUARTERBACK (3): Baker Mayfield, Drew Stanton, Garrett Gilbert
Gilbert went to the same Austin, Texas, high school as Mayfield, and the Gilberts and Mayfields are family friends. That won’t be the only reason the Browns keep a third quarterback. With Stanton now 35, it makes sense for the team to carry another backup to Mayfield.
RUNNING BACK (3): Nick Chubb, Duke Johnson Jr., Dontrell Hilliard
2017 NFL rushing champ Kareem Hunt is expected to bolster this already strong unit, once he returns from an eight-game suspension. But Johnson will be the name to watch during training camp, as he continues to seek a trade out of Cleveland after switching agents.
WIDE RECEIVER (6): Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry, Antonio Callaway, Rashard Higgins, Damion Ratley, Derrick Willies
Competition for the fifth and sixth – and probably final – receiving spots will be fierce, with others such as Jaelen Strong, Ishmael Hyman, Blake Jackson, Damon Sheehy-Guiseppi and D.J. Montgomery all pushing for the final nod.
TIGHT END (3): David Njoku, Demetrius Harris, Seth DeValve
The Browns topped the NFL with 145 snaps out of 13 personnel (one running back, three tight ends) last season. With playcaller Freddie Kitchens now the head coach, don’t expect that to change. Orson Charles could join this group, should the Browns elect to keep a fullback/H-back, too.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Greg Robinson, Joel Bitonio, JC Tretter, Austin Corbett, Chris Hubbard, Kendall Lamm, Drew Forbes, Kyle Kalis, Eric Kush
The only real starting position battle offensively during training camp will come at right guard, where Corbett, Kalis and Kush are vying to replace Kevin Zeitler, who was dealt to the New York Giants in the Olivier Vernon trade.
DEFENSIVE LINE (8): Myles Garrett, Larry Ogunjobi, Sheldon Richardson, Olivier Vernon, Chris Smith, Chad Thomas, Trevon Coley, Carl Davis
Genard Avery’s potential to swing from linebacker to defensive end gives the Browns flexibility here. Tackle Brian Price, who is returning from an offseason hamstring injury, could be a factor here inside, as well.
LINEBACKER (7): Christian Kirksey, Joe Schobert, Genard Avery, Adarius Taylor, Sione Takitaki, Mack Wilson, Ray-Ray Armstrong
The Browns expended much of their draft capital on a potential linebacking corps of the future, selecting Takitaki in the third round and Wilson in the fifth. Veterans Kirksey and Schobert, however, remain the starting every-down players, for now. Armstrong gets the nod for his contributions on special teams.
SECONDARY (11): Denzel Ward, Greedy Williams, Damarious Randall, Morgan Burnett, T.J. Carrie, Terrance Mitchell, Tavierre Thomas, Phillip Gaines, Eric Murray, Jermaine Whitehead, Sheldrick Redwine
Williams impressed during minicamp, suggesting he’ll soon be ready to take over as the starting corner opposite Ward. The big question here will be who starts at safety alongside Randall. GM John Dorsey has a history with both Burnett (Green Bay Packers) and Murray (Kansas City Chiefs) from previous stops.
SPECIALIST (3): Austin Seibert, Britton Colquitt, Charley Hughlett
The Browns made Seibert a fifth-round pick, making him a favorite to supplant Greg Joseph as the team’s kicker.