General manager Andrew Berry will have a busy weekend. The NFL deadline for cutting the roster to the regular-season limit of 53 is Sunday at 6 p.m.
While the vast majority of the decisions have been made — most weeks, if not months, ago — questions remain at the bottom of the roster. They may not be answered completely by Sunday, as this feels like a year when Berry will be active on the waiver wire.
Here’s an educated guess on who will comprise the initial 53-man roster.
QUARTERBACKS (4): Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel, Taylen Green
Note: Gabriel would be tough to cut after a nearly perfect performance in the preseason finale, but Green is a much better athlete. I’m predicting Berry keeps four, at least for a few days.
RUNNING BACKS (4): Quinshon Judkins, Dylan Sampson, Raheim Sanders, Michael Burton
Note: Sanders gets the nod over Ahmani Marshall, and Burton hangs around as the fullback despite missing most of training camp with an injury.
RECEIVERS (6): Jerry Jeudy, KC Concepcion, Denzel Boston, Isaiah Bond, Tylan Wallace, Luke Floriea
Note: The first five are locks. Floriea’s three preseason touchdowns should earn him a spot.
TIGHT ENDS (3): Harold Fannin Jr., Blake Whiteheart, Carsen Ryan
Note: This is a position Berry will look to upgrade after Sunday. Joe Royer missed all of camp, continues to be absent as he deals with a personal problem and will likely be put on a non-football list. Fellow rookie Ryan has struggled in the preseason.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (9): Spencer Fano, Zion Johnson, Elgton Jenkins, Teven Jenkins, Tytus Howard, Austin Barber, Dawand Jones, Luke Wypler, Zak Zinter
Note: Wypler and Zinter aren’t locks, and Berry will look for better options on the waiver wire or through trades. Rookie center Parker Brailsford could open on injured reserve after missing most of camp with a hand injury.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (9): Jared Verse, Mason Graham, Maliek Collins, Isaiah McGuire, Mike Hall Jr., Kalia Davis, Adin Huntington, Derek Barnett, Julian Okwara
Note: Berry has been trying to replace Okwara for months, but the Browns are short at end after losing Alex Wright for the season with a torn Achilles tendon.
LINEBACKERS (5): Carson Schwesinger, Quincy Williams, Easton Mascarenas-Arnold, Justin Jefferson, Winston Reid
Note: Mascarenas-Arnold went from question mark to starter in the base defense with a strong camp.
CORNERBACKS (6): Denzel Ward, Tyson Campbell, Myles Harden, Mekhi Blackmon, D’Angelo Ross, Nate Evans
Note: Ross was injured during camp and not great when he played, but the Browns are thin here. Michael Coats Jr. was in position to make the team before a late injury.
SAFETIES (4): Grant Delpit, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Ronnie Hickman, Donovan McMillon
Note: McMillon is the pick ahead of Christopher Edmonds. Veteran Daniel Thomas could make it as a special teamer.
SPECIALISTS (3): Kicker Andre Szmyt, punter Corey Bojorquez, long snapper Rex Sunahara
Note: Bojorquez keeps the job after a camp battle.
