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Projecting the Browns depth chart for Week 1 against the Kansas City Chiefs after roster cutdowns
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski, GM Andrew Berry and their assistants have formed the initial 53-man roster for the 2021 season. While it will change due to injuries and potential moves throughout the season, the roster for Week 1 is set.
When the Browns head to Kansas City to face the defending AFC champion Chiefs in Week 1, this is the projected depth chart for Cleveland.
Here’s an early look at the Browns defensive depth chart after the draft
With the 2021 NFL draft in the books and the first offseason activities for the new rookie class and free agents coming very soon, it’s time to take a gander at the Cleveland Browns updated depth chart.
The offense hasn’t changed a lot, certainly not at the top of each position. Cleveland could have all 11 offensive starters returning and brings back the top reserves at several spots, too.
Defensively, it’s a different story. Only two surefire starters return, and the depth chart across the secondary has been almost completely overhauled.
Here’s an early look at the Browns defensive depth chart entering the rookie minicamp and post-draft OTA period.
Resetting the Cleveland Browns depth chart after the first two weeks of free agency
Free agency has brought several new players to Cleveland, as well as some Browns players returning to the Dawg Pound for another go-round.
Where do the new additions fit in on the team’s depth chart? And what holes remain after several players left in free agency?
Here’s an updated look at the Cleveland Browns position-by-position depth chart after the first two weeks of free agency.
Way-too-early 53-man roster projection for the Browns: Who makes it on offense
The 2020 NFL Draft class creates some movement on the roster projection front. With at least five of the Browns’ draftees absolute locks to make the 53-man roster, there are some ripple effects up and down the depth chart.
Here is our early stab at the final 53-man roster when the Browns kick off the 2020 NFL season. To keep it more manageable, the offense and defense will be divided up in different posts.
Note: undrafted free agents are only included if they’re officially signed their Browns contracts as of press time.
QB – 2
Starter: Baker Mayfield
Backup: Case Keenum
Bubble: Garrett Gilbert, Kevin Davidson
Gilbert must hope that the new regime values keeping three QBs instead of just two. In his time in Minnesota, new Browns coach Kevin Stefanski only kept two, a status more than half the NFL has adopted lately.
RB – 4
Starters: Nick Chubb, Andy Janovich (FB)
Backup: Kareem Hunt, D’Ernest Johnson
Bubble: Dontrell Hilliard, Johnny Stanton
It might be optimistic to lock in Johnson as the No. 3 RB, but he offers more to the offense than Hilliard or Stanton. Special teams roles will decide the bottom here.
TE – 4
Starters: Austin Hooper, David Njoku
Backup: Harrison Bryant, Stephen Carlson
Bubble: Pharaoh Brown
Expect to see a lot more of two TEs on the field under Stefanski, and packages where three TEs line up. Carlson and Brown will be in a camp battle for the last spot, and don’t be surprised if the team brings in another TE/FB to compete as well.
WR – 6
Starters: Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry
Backups: Rashard Higgins, KhaDarel Hodge, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Jojo Natson
Bubble: Damion Ratley, D.J. Montgomery, Taywan Taylor, J’Mon Moore, Tony Brown
The starters both topped 1,000 receiving yards a year ago and should continue to flourish under Kevin Stefanski. Higgins gets a shot at redemption as the third wideout after a miserable 2019. Rookie Peoples-Jones should have a clear path to being the No. 4 receiver and could also win the return specialist gig.
Hodge stood out on special teams in his first year in Cleveland and that keeps him safe. Natson will need to win the return job, as he is the least-skilled receiver of the entire bunch. Ratley stands the best chance of the bubble guys.
OL – 9
Starters (L-R): Jedrick Wills, Joel Bitonio, JC Tretter, Wyatt Teller, Jack Conklin
Backups: Chris Hubbard, Kendall Lamm, Nick Harris, Drew Forbes
Bubble: Willie Wright, Evan Brown, Colby Gossett, Malcolm Pridgeon
There is little drama with the starting unit, with the possible exception of Teller at right guard. If the Browns were to make a move to upgrade that spot it wouldn’t be a shock.
Hubbard took a pay cut to stick around as the top reserve, and his ability to play either OT spot but also RG makes him valuable. Forbes will stick if he’s healthy as the developmental prospect in his second season. Harris is the only true center (outside of Brown) who can backup Tretter. Lamm could get bumped as the fourth tackle by Wright or a player not currently on the roster.
Total – 25
Roster locks of that group: 22. Don’t expect a lot of shakeup from anyone who will see significant reps during the regular season. The deep backup spots along the line and at wide receiver, tight end and running back are the only real competitions entering the OTA period.
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Updated Browns depth chart reflects big changes from free agency
None of the new signings are official yet, but here is what the Browns depth chart looks like after the first 24 hours of the start of the free agency signing period.
The addition of Case Keenum is in no way an inditement of Baker Mayfield’s ability or his longterm outlook with this franchise. In fact, improving the back-up quarterback position during this free agency was one of my biggest wants for the Cleveland Browns. Keenum brings knowledge of the system with his him in Minnesota and familiarity with the offensive line calls due to his time with Bill Callahan. Above all, Keenum brings in a veteran voice, which was non-existent in the 2019 quarterback room.
Outside of the amazing one-two punch of Chubb and Hunt, the Browns have a lot of work to do. Hilliard showed lapses in the return game and Johnson is just a guy. In a deep running back class, the Browns would be prudent to begin thinking about life after Kareem Hunt.
Similar to the running back position, the Browns are set at the top of the depth chart but need to improve the overall depth at the position. Ideally, the Browns don’t invest too much more in this position since Kevin Stefanski predominantly runs out of a two-tight end alignment. There is still a chance Rashard Higgins returns.
In 2019 Kevin Stefanski utilized two-TE sets more than any other team in the NFL (53% of plays). The signing of Hooper only reinforces what Stefanski has done and what he is planning on implementing with the Browns schematically.
I like the addition of Conklin. He not only fits a need but is an ideal fit for the zone-scheme the Browns have implemented under Stefanski. Overall, there is a lot of work yet to be done at this position and I have concerns about the possibility of releasing Hubbard without viable depth being brought in. Tackle is still one of the main positions of need for this franchise.
Not necessarily a major need with this group, but further development will need to happen. Bitonio will undoubtedly hold down left guard, but who will be the right guard? At one of the most replaceable positions on an NFL roster, I do believe the Browns have someone in house and offensive line coach Bill Callahan has the ability to maximize the abilities of the person who earns the job.
The Browns are lucky to have one of the best pivot guys in the league in Tretter. The zone scheme will be a slight change for him, but he should adapt quickly. Similar to other positions, improving depth will be very important.
With an investment of a 2021 seventh-round draft pick the Browns have added a quality piece who fits their system. Janovich brings to the table good athleticism, decent hands, and the mentality you need to play this position in a zone-blocking scheme.
Effective pass-rushers are not easy to come by and often cost a lot to acquire. Right now, the duo of Garrett and Vernon, when healthy, can be effective pass-rushers. Beyond those two, the Browns do not have much depth after John Dorsey sent Genard Avery, Emmanuel Ogbah, Nate Orchard, and Carl Nassib packing.
I had some questions about the interior of the defensive line before the Billings signing. After the signing I feel a little better. With Billings added to the roster, the Browns can rotate/match-up three interior defensive lineman.
The era of Joe Schobert and Christian Kirksey has ended and the regime of Sione Takitaki and Mack Wilson is ready to take over. OK, maybe this is a bit of an extreme statement. However, both TakiTaki and Wilson are the heir apparent players for their respective positions after the Browns acquired them through the draft in 2019. While not flashy, the addition of Goodson brings in additional competition for playing time and a great special teams player.
The secondary has come together nicely over the last couple of years and with Greedy in line for a second-year leap, the Browns should feel good about their top three cornerbacks. The real problem for the Browns comes from the slot cornerback role. A slot corner needs to be uniquely adept at covering the slot wide receiver and should have the ability to hold up in run support.
A combination of instincts and versatility are required to play this role. Also, if I am being picky, I want to see the Browns add a bigger body to their secondary. At times, both Ward and Williams can be pushed around by bigger-bodied pass-catchers and the Browns do not currently have an answer for this on their roster.
Depth at this position, like so many others, will be how the Browns survive. Joseph is a great signing and Redwine showed flashes towards the end of 2019. Both Joseph and Redwine will need help to secure the backend of the defense.
Jamie Gillan (punter), Charley Hughlett (long snapper), Austin Seibert (kicker)
* indicates a free agent signing.
