Browns 53-Man Roster Prediction

Following a successful preseason for the Browns, some big decisions will be made in the next couple of days in order for the roster to be reduced to 53 by Tuesday.

Here is my prediction for who will make the final 53-man roster:

Quarterbacks: Deshaun Watson, Dorian Thompson-Robinson (rookie)

Explanation: This is one of the more obvious ones. The Browns felt comfortable enough in rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson to trade away Josh Dobbs, who was going to be the backup QB in Cleveland behind Deshaun Watson. Kellen Mond was headed towards waivers until Arizona called the Browns about a Dobbs trade and I imagine Cleveland will hope to bring Mond back to the practice squad.

Running backs: Nick Chubb, Jerome Ford, Pierre Strong Jr.

Explanation: The Browns added Pierre Strong Jr. on Sunday to presumably be their third running back. Strong is a versatile back and exactly what the Browns have been looking for all offseason. When Ford is healthy again from his hamstring injury, he'll step into the backup role behind Nick Chubb. 

Wide receivers: Amari Cooper, Elijah Moore, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Cedric Tillman (rookie), David Bell, Marquise Goodwin.

Explanation: The wide receiver room is an exrtremely crowded one and there's a ton of talent. Anthony Schwartz was released by the Browns Sunday and Cleveland still has some important decisions to make there. One name who has stuck out all throughout camp is Austin Watkins Jr., who in my eyes has made the strongest push to make the roster. However, with Marquise Goodwin ramping up after recovering from blood clots, I don't think Watkins will make the team. If he gets through waivers, you can bet the Browns would be ecstatic to stick him on their practice squad. Cleveland is definitely not ready to give up on David Bell quite yet, either. 

Tight ends: David Njoku, Jordan Akins, Harrison Bryant

Explanation: Another relatively obvious one here as David Njoku, Jordan Akins and Harrison Bryant are roster locks. The best name from the outside looking in is Zaire Mitchell-Paden who'll more than likely be brought back on the practice squad. But Akins may have a bigger role than some may think this year, especially because of his already proven chemistry with Watson. 

Offensive line: Joel Bitonio, Jack Conklin, Wyatt Teller, Ethan Pocic, Jedrick Wills Jr., Dawand Jones (rookie), James Hudson lll, Luke Wypler (rookie), Ethan Pocic.

Explanation: No real surprises here. Outside of the starting five offensive lineman, the Browns have pretty impressive depth across the offensive line. James Hudson lll and Dawand Jones have been impressive during the preseason Outside of that, Luke Wypler, who has impressed several members of the Browns organization has been solid as well throughout camp. Nick Harris will make the roster and provide depth on the interior as well.

Edge rushers: Myles Garrett, Za'Darius Smith, Ogbo Okoronkwo, Isaiah McGuire (rookie), Alex Wright, Isaiah Thomas.

Explanation: There were a lot of players outside of the top six listed here who made a case for themselves to be on the 53-man roster. Guys like Lonnie Phelps and Sam Kamara had relatively strong camps, however, Isaiah McGuire, Alex Wright and Isaiah Thomas seem like they'll be on this roster. The only concern here are the injuries to Wright and Thomas and when they'll be back to full strength. 

Defensive tackle: Dalvin Tomlinson, Shelby Harris, Jordan Elliot, Maurice Hurst ll, Siaki Ika (rookie).

Explanation: The defensive tackle room is pretty set and shouldn't come as a surprise. The only two guys who are likely on the outside looking in are Tommy Togiai and Tyrsten Hill who simply haven't shown enough to make the Browns think they're worthy of a roster spot. Compared to last year, this defensive tackle room looks so much better and is expected to be a force in the Jim Schwartz-led defense.

Linebackers: Anthony Walker, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Sione Takitaki, Tony Fields ll, Mohamoud Diabate (UDFA), Jordan Kunaszyk (injured).

Explanation: The big story here is an undrafted free agent making the team with Mohamoud Diabate. The kid has simply made plays all preseason and the Browns have taken notice of that. With the injury to Jordan Kunaszyk that'll sideline him for several weeks, it opens the door even more. I don't see the Browns moving on from Kunaszyk either and he'll likely return to the team as soon as he's healthy. The Browns love him and his ability to affect the defense and especially on special teams.

Cornerbacks: Denzel Ward, Greg Newsome ll, Martin Emerson Jr., A.J. Green, Cameron Mitchell (rookie), Mike Ford.

Explanation: No surprises here. A ton of versatilely in this room and the secondary is expected to play at an elite level.

Safety: Juan Thornhill, Grant Delpit, Rodney McLeod, D'Anthony Bell.

Explanation: The top three guys with Juan Thornhill, Grant Delpit and Rodney McLeod are all roster locks. The fourth safety spot essentiallycame down to a competition between D'Anthony Bell and undrafted free agent Ronnie Hickman. Hickman showed off his ball hawking skills a lot in the preseason, tallying three interceptions. However, due to Bell's special teams impact, I am picking the Browns to stick with him here. If Hickman clears waivers, I don't see a scenario where he's not back on the practice squad.

Special teams: Dustin Hopkins, Corey Bojorquez, Charley Hughlett

All three special teamers are pretty set in stone now, following the release of Cade York and trade for Dustin Hopkins. York had just about every chance to prove himself for the Browns this preseason. I wouldn't be surprised if York is brought back to the practice squad if he clears waivers though, but we'll see.