Training camp in West Virginia is complete and the team will be headed back to Berea later today. So why not do an early final 53-man roster, right? Here goes.
Quarterback (3). Watson*, Dobbs*, Thompson Robinson*.
Running Back (3). Chubb*, Ford*, Felton/free agent.
Wide Receiver (6). Cooper*, Peoples-Jones*, Moore*, Bell*, Tillman*, Goodwin.
Tight End. (3). Njoku*, Bryant*, Akins*.
Offensive Tackle. (4). Conklin*, Wills*, Hudson*, Jones*.
Offensive Guard (4). Bitonio*, Teller*, Dunn, Forbes.
Center (2). Pocic*, Wypler*
Defensive Tackle (4). Tomlinson*, Elliott*, Ika*, Free agent.
Defensive End (5). Garrett*, Smith*, Okoronkwo*, Wright*, McGuire*.
Linebacker (6). Walker*, Takitaki*, JOK*, Adams*, Kunaszyk*, Fields.
Cornerback (6). Ward*, Emerson*, Newsome*, Green*, Ford*, Mitchell.
Safety (4). Thornhill*, Delpit*, McLeod*, Bell.
Special Teams (3). York*, Hughlett*, Bojorquez*.
The (*) denotes a roster lock either due to salary structure, 2023 draft pick or starter from last year. I’ve got 25 on offense, 25 one defense and three specialists. On some of the position groups, I’m basing the number of players on what was done in previous years. For example, the last two years the Browns have kept ten offensive linemen, three tight ends, five defensive ends, four defensive tackles and six linebackers. This year, the offense will carry three quarterbacks, three running backs and six wide receivers. At quarterback, Dorian Thompson-Robinson must make the final 53, because he won’t clear waivers and make it to the practice squad. The last two years the Browns have carried two quarterbacks, five running backs/fullbacks and five wide receivers. Not this year.
On defense, the only difference is previous years is the secondary. The last two years the Browns have carried five cornerbacks and five safeties. This year it’s six and four because the wealth of talent at the cornerback position and number three safety Rodney McLeod is extremely versatile. He can play free safety, strong safety and slot corner.
Now we head to a game week for the first time in 2023. The starters will mostly be backups and young players, as it should be this early in the preseason. Tomorrow, look for my podcast, The Cleveland Browns Dawg Pound South Podcast, part of the http://@ELfzNetwork as I give my analysis of the trip to West Virginia. Stay safe and Go Browns.