The 2024 calendar has already moved to July, which means NFL training camps are about to start. The Cleveland Browns kick their camp off on July 24 and will be at The Greenbrier in West Virginia for the second year in a row.
They'll then return to Berea and have six open practices for fans to attend. From there, it's the preseason and finally, the new football campaign will kick off with a game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, Sep. 8. There's a lot of work to do until then as the Browns need to trim their roster down to the best 53 players possible.
With one of the deepest rosters in the league, there will be some tough decisions but that's why Andrew Berry and Kevin Stefanski make the big bucks. While they'll have the final decision, we look ahead with our pre-training camp 53-man roster prediction.
Quarterback (3):
Deshan Watson
Jameis Winston
Dorian Thompson-Robinson
There's no debate regarding the top two spots under center. Deshaun Watson remains the starter and the only question there is whether or not he can stay healthy. Behind him is Jameis Winston, who was signed to a one-year deal this offseason. Winston can easily keep the offense moving if he needs to fill in for Watson and even though Joe Flacco was fantastic in 2023, he provides an upgrade at QB2.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson makes it as the third quarterback in this prediction but that will depend on his health. A hip injury ended his rookie campaign and if he's not at 100 percent, he might be sent to the PUP, which would allow Tyler Huntley to make the team.
Running Back (4):
D'Onta Foreman
Jerome Ford
Nyheim Hines
Nick Chubb
With Nick Chubb videos coming from everywhere, it's hard not to get too excited about his return. He's been working hard to get back and looks healthy. Of course, doing drills in a gym is nothing compared to playing the game, so we should temper expectations.
Still, there's no reason we shouldn't be optimistic that he can escape the PUP. If he were put on this list, he would miss at least six weeks but that's not the case in this prediction. Cleveland still needs to be cautious and the presence of D'Onta Foreman gives them the ability to be patient.
Jerome Ford backs up Foreman and Nyheim Hines is the third-down back and return specialist. Pierre Strong, Jr. is the odd man out.
Wide Receiver (6):
Amari Cooper
Jerry Jeudy
Cedric Tillman
Elijah Moore
Jamari Thrash
David Bell
With the wide receiver market exploding, Amari Cooper aims to cash in. The Browns No. 1 receiver is currently holding out but there's a strong sense the two sides will get something worked out by the start of camp.
Jerry Jeudy is the newest addition after being traded by the Denver Broncos. He was signed to a three-year extension and pushes Elijah Moore down the depth chart. The same has been true of Cedric Tillman, who has taken advantage of Cooper's absence and impressed the coaching staff. He and Moore will likely rotate as the third wideout.
Rookie Jamari Thrash and David Bell round out the group as Cleveland goes six deep in this prediction. Bell enters his third season and could be on the way out if they elect to go with just five receivers.
Tight End (3):
David Njoku
Jordan Akins
Giovanni Ricci
David Njoku was selected in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft and has been a good tight end since joining the Browns. In 2023, however, he took his game to another level.
Njoku led the team in receptions (81) and touchdowns (6) while going for 882 yards. As impressive as he was, his dominance is even more telling when you remember he played with four different quarterbacks. Oh, and he burnt his hands and face yet still didn't miss time.
He has the No. 1 spot locked down and behind him is Jordan Akins. The veteran didn't live up to expectations in 2023 but perhaps can take advantage of the extra targets he's sure to get with Harrison Bryant gone. Listed as TE3 is Giovanni Ricci, a free-agent addition from the Carolina Panthers. Ricci is more of an H-back who should also line up at fullback during the games.
Offensive Line (10):
Jedrick Wills, LT
Joel Bitonio, LG
Ethan Pocic, C
Wyatt Teller, RG
Jack Conklin, RT
Dawand Jones, OT
Hakeem Adeniji, OT
Luke Wypler, G/C
Zak Zinter, G
Javion Cohen, G
There's no one on the Browns roster with more pressure on their shoulders in 2023 than Deshaun Watson — but Jedrick Wills, Jr. isn't too far off.
The 10th overall pick from 2020 hasn't lived up to expectations but Cleveland still picked up the fifth-year option in his rookie deal. This could be his final chance to prove he belongs, and he's coming off a knee injury which makes things more difficult.
As for the rest of the line, this unit has a ton of talent. Joel Bitonio is a stud, Ethan Pocic has developed into a solid center and Wyatt Teller can bulldoze defenders in the run game. Jack Conklin is there as well but injuries have been a problem for him. Thankfully, Dawand Jones proved he can step in — although he was also hurt last year.
On the bench, the Browns go with Hakeem Adeniji over James Hudson III. Zak Zinter and Javion Cohen beat out Michael Dunn and Luke Wypler makes it over Brian Allen. There's a lot of talent here, which means some good players will be let go.
Defensive Line (9):
Myles Garrett, DE
Shelby Harris, DT
Dalvin Tomlinson, DT
Za'Darius Smith, DE
Ogbo Okoronkwo, DE
Alex Wright, DE
Maurice Hurst, DT
Michael Hall, Jr., DT
Quinton Jefferson, DT
Here's another position where some tough decisions have to be made. Cleveland has a deep and talented defensive line, led by Myles Garrett. The 2023 NFL Defensive Player of the Year is on top of his game and the talent around him has never been better.
The Browns re-signed Za'Darius Smith and Shelby Harris to start alongside Garrett and Dalvin Tomlinson. On the bench, they have Ogbo Okoronkwo and Alex Wright, who each played well in 2023. The interior goes three deep behind the starters with Maurice Hurst and free agent addition Quinton Jefferson working along with Michael Hall, Jr. — their first pick this year. The odd man out is Siaki Ika, who didn't impress as a rookie when given the chance.
Linebacker (5):
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
Jordan Hicks
Devin Bush
Tony Fields II
Nathaniel Watson
No one benefited more from the arrival of Jim Schwartz than Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. The 2021 second-round pick from Notre Dame exploded with 101 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and two interceptions. He also had 20 tackles behind the line of scrimmage, which was double the total he had in 2021 and 2022 combined.
He's joined by Jordan Hicks, who worked with Schwartz when they were both with the Eagles. His signing didn't make a lot of noise but it moves the needle quite a bit. Devin Bush is the third starter, joining the team his father once played for this offseason. Tony Fields II will get plenty of snaps as well and he's proven to be capable every time he gets an opportunity.
The fifth and final linebacker is rookie Nathaniel Watson. A day-three pick, Watson is a throwback player who will have a specific role — shutting down the run game.
Cornerback (5):
Denzel Ward
Martin Emerson
Greg Newsome II
Cameron Mitchell
Justin Hardee
As good as the Browns are on the defensive line, the secondary might be the true strength of their team. They currently have two first round picks in Denzel Ward and Greg Newsome II. Ward is one of the top corners in the league and Newsome has done excellent in the slot.
Their other boundary corner is Martin Emerson, who might be one of the most underrated players in the league. These three can go up against any group of receivers and hold their own.
Cleveland's depth continues with their reserves, led by Cameron Mitchell. As a rookie, Mitchell was asked to fill in as the slot corner and more than held his own. The last spot is held by Justin Hardee in this prediction, but the decision isn't easy. Hardee is a special team's ace and could easily be beaten out by Tony Brown. There's also rookie seventh-round pick Myles Harden, who has a lot to offer but gets exposed to the waiver wire in this prediction.
Safety (5):
Juan Thornhill
Grant Delpit
Rodney McLeod
Ronnie Hickman
D'Anthony Bell
The safeties are strong as well in Cleveland, led by Grant Delpit. He signed a multi-year extension last year and starts opposite Juan Thornhill. The former Kansas City Chief had an up-and-down debut season with the Browns but has the talent to turn it around.
Rodney McLeod returns for another year and says he plans to retire afterward. Ronnie Hickman and D'Anthony Bell were called upon last year due to injuries and they both proved to be more than capable of starting — and making impact plays.
Specialists (3):
Dustin Hopkins, Kicker
Corey Bojorquez , Punter
Charley Hughlett, Long Snapper
The trio of specialists remains the same in 2023. Dustin Hopkins was a star in 2023 before an injury ended his season prematurely. Corey Bojorquez proved to be a major weapon in defensive-dominated games and Charley Hughlett remains the ever-reliable long snapper.
