The Browns announced their initial 53-man roster on Tuesday afternoon, and then saw a few changes as the week continued. As the week comes to a close, we’re breaking down the roster position by position.
Quarterbacks (3): Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Deshaun Watson, Jameis Winston
Analysis: The Browns have depth at quarterback with three quarterbacks on the roster. They have viable options behind Watson as he returns from the shoulder injury that ended his 2023 season. Winston continued to demonstrate throughout the preseason his ability to back up Watson at quarterback, while Thompson-Robinson – who came back from a hip injury that ended his rookie season – impressed during training camp in how he took command of the offense.
Running backs (3): Jerome Ford, D’Onta Foreman, Pierre Strong Jr.
Analysis: The Browns built out their running back room as they wait for the return of Nick Chubb (reserve/PUP) and Nyheim Hines (reserve/NFI). However, Ford is poised to have another strong season in the featured back role – one that he stepped into following Chubb’s injury in 2023. Foreman also demonstrated in during his two preseason games how he can catch out of the backfield and be utilized as a power back, having success in short yardage situations.
Wide receivers (6): David Bell, Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy, Elijah Moore, Jamari Thrash, Cedric Tillman
Analysis: The Browns have a deep receiving corps with a high level of versatility and route-running ability. They have players who can function in different spots, which allows the Browns to utilize players to their skill sets. The room consists of a solid group of veterans in Cooper, Moore and Jeudy, and young players in Tillman, Bell and Thrash. Tillman was a standout in minicamp, and Thrash capped off an impressive preseason with a 46-yard touchdown against the Seahawks.
Analysis: After a career-high season in 2023 – in which he led the team with 81 receptions, totaling 882 receiving yards and six touchdowns – Njoku is poised to lead the tight ends once again in 2024. The Browns will look for another leap from Akins in his second year with the team. The Browns also carried three tight ends on their initial roster for 2023, so this can be a position to watch as rosters fluctuate across the NFL and different moves are made.
Offensive linemen (10): Joel Bitonio, Jack Conklin, Javion Cohen, Nick Harris, James Hudson III, Dawand Jones, Ethan Pocic, Wyatt Teller, Jedrick Wills Jr., Zak Zinter
Analysis: The Browns maintained consistency among their offensive line, especially with the return of Conklin and Wills. With the reacquisition of Harris at center and Zinter’s growth as a rookie, the offensive line brings a high level of experience and depth to the Browns offense. The Browns also added an undrafted free agent in Cohen who had a strong showing during training camp and the preseason.
Defensive linemen (9): Myles Garrett, Shelby Harris, Maurice Hurst II, Quinton Jefferson, Isaiah McGuire, Ogbo Okoronkwo, Za’Darius Smith, Dalvin Tomlinson, Alex Wright
Analysis: The Browns also kept continuity on the defensive line from the 2023 season, with one addition in Jefferson. With reigning Defensive Player of the Year in Garrett, three-time Pro Bowler in Smith and a number of veterans, the Browns also have an experienced defensive front. In the second year of defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz’s attack-style defense, the linemen have an opportunity to excel in the pass rush for the second consecutive season.
Linebackers (6): Devin Bush, Mohamoud Diabate, Tony Fields II, Jordan Hicks, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Nathaniel Watson
Analysis: The Browns found necessary depth at linebacker. With Owusu-Koramoah’s contract extension, he cemented himself as an important piece in the defense. They found veteran experience in Hicks and Bush and can develop Watson as their rookie linebacker to build out their linebacker room. The Browns brought back Diabate and Fields, who were a part of the linebacker room in 2023, with Fields poised to also play a bigger role in 2024.
Defensive backs (11): D’Anthony Bell, Grant Delpit, Martin Emerson Jr., Kahlef Hailassie, Myles Harden, Ronnie Hickman, Rodney McLeod, Cameron Mitchell, Greg Newsome II, Juan Thornhill, Denzel Ward
Analysis: The Browns will boast a deep group of defensive backs, building off the success of 2023 and with the return of healthy veterans to the room. They also added to their secondary in Harden, who the Browns drafted in 2024 and impressed throughout the offseason and training camp. Harden finished the preseason with 10 tackles and one pass defensed over three preseason games.
Specialists (3): Corey Bojorquez, Dustin Hopkins, Charley Hughlett
Analysis: The Browns also kept the stability of their specialists from 2023. They signed Hopkins to a 3-year contract extension and re-signed Bojorquez to a 2-year deal during the offseason. While Hopkins didn’t kick until the final preseason game when he made a 37-yard field goal, but after his success in the 2023 season, they know what he brings to the kicking game. He converted 33 of 36 field goals in 2023, including four game-winning field goals. Bojorquez finished the 2023 season with 87 punts for 4,294 yards, which ranked fourth in the NFL last season. He finished the 2024 preseason with 13 punts for 628 yards – with his longest punt during the Vikings game for 62 yards.
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