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. This one covers the defense and the specialists. The 25 members of the offense can be found here:
[lawrence-related id=45597]
Note: undrafted free agents are only included if they’re officially signed their Browns contracts as of press time.
DTs – 4
Starters – Sheldon Richardson, Larry Ogunjobi
Backups – Andrew Billings, Jordan Elliott
Bubble: Daniel Ekuale, Brandin Bryant, Justin Zimmer
This shapes up as a very nice 4-man rotation, with Richardson being the top talent. Expect free agent signee Billings and third-round rookie Elliott to both play extensively.
All of the bubble players here bring some NFL experience and a definite appeal to at least keep on the practice squad (if eligible). It would not be a surprise to see the Browns keep an extra DT in lieu of a 6th WR or 5th TE/FB.
DE/EDGE – 4
Starters – Myles Garrett, Olivier Vernon
Backups – Adrian Clayborn, Chad Thomas
Bubble: Porter Gustin, Robert McCray, Trevon Young, George Obinna
Garrett and Vernon were very good together in 2019 and return at full health. Clayborn was a smart veteran signing who can bring pressure off the edge. After that, it gets fuzzy here, especially considering Richardson can play on the edge and did so quite effectively last season.
Thomas has flashed at times but has also done nothing to guarantee his roster spot under a new coaching and management regime. Gustin, McCray, Young and Obinna (a UDFA) are probably not the answer but will at least get a chance to prove themselves. The fourth DE/EDGE might not yet be on the roster.
LB – 5
Starters: Mack Wilson, Sione Takitaki, Jacob Phillips
Bench: B.J. Goodson, Willie Harvey
Bubble: Tae Davis, Jermaine Grace, Montrel Meander, Solomon Ajayi
The Browns will use three LBs significantly more under new coordinator Joe Woods than last year’s base 2-LB set. Wilson and Takitaki both project to start in their second seasons. Third-rounder Phillips and free agent import Goodson will battle for the other spot. Keep an eye on Harvey, who played well last summer and could rock the very established boat.
As with EDGE, this is another position where Berry and the Browns might not yet be done aggressively acquiring talent.
CB – 5
Starters: Denzel Ward, Greedy Williams
Bench: Kevin Johnson, Terrance Mitchell, Tavierre Thomas
Bubble: Donovan Olumba, Donnie Lewis Jr., Robert Jackson
Ward and Williams will start on the outside, with Johnson the presumptive slot corner. Mitchell is not a lock but offers versatility as a veteran. Thomas is a special teams standout and that’s his ticket to making it for a third season Cleveland.
This is another position where the Browns could opt to keep an extra player and trim elsewhere for special teams purposes. Williams, Ward and Johnson have all shown durability issues in their careers thus far.
S – 4
Starters: Karl Joseph, Grant Delpit
Bench: Andrew Sendejo, Sheldrick Redwine
Bubble: J.T. Hassell
The top three are all newcomers in Joseph and Sendejo as free agents and second-rounder Delpit. How the troika sorts out remains to be seen but expect all three to play extensively.
Redwine has a tentative grip on the final spot, but he’ll need to prove it on special teams after an underwhelming rookie season. Hassell might be the hardest hitter pound-for-pound on the entire team.
Specialists – 3
Punter – Jamie Gillan
Kicker – Austin Seibert
Long snapper – Charley Hughlett
No drama here; all three specialists return unchallenged as of press time.
Overall there is more uncertainty on defense than offense.
The 25 defenders and three specialists here add to the 25 on offense to make 53. With the pending expansion to 55 via the new CBA, expect those extra two spots to come on defense.