The first week of free agency has come and gone. Sure enough, there is plenty to write home about after a wild six-day stretch that featured plenty of big moves, questionable moves, and trades.
The Cleveland browns were in the mix of things by making a big trade for Jerry Jeudy, resigning multiple of their own guys, and bringing some new talent on board.
Now that the dust has settled, let's take a look at the current state of the roster and where things are likely to go, from here.
Note: Asterisks (*) represent a 2024 free-agent addition and do not include a re-signed player. The offense's base personnel is projected as 11-personnel (3 WRs, 1 TE), and the defense's base personnel is projected as 4-3 base defense (four down linemen, three linebackers).
Quarterback (4)
Presumed starter(s): Deshaun Watson
Backup(s): Jameis Winston*, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Tyler Huntley*
How we got here: Cleveland carried four quarterbacks last offseason and is poised to do so again this year. Winston was signed to be the backup while Huntley should compete for a job here or somewhere else through camp.
Running back (4)
Presumed starter(s): Nick Chubb
Backup(s): Jerome Ford, Nyheim Hines*, Pierre Strong Jr.
How we got here: Cleveland doesn’t know when Chubb will be ready and he may miss part of the season. Ford would start in that case but it appears the Browns will be drafting a running back. Hines is a return man and pass catcher but doesn’t offer much between the tackles. The outlook on the position is all about what Chubb looks like when he returns.
Wide receiver (7)
Presumed starter(s): Amari Cooper (X), Jerry Jeudy (Z), Elijah Moore (slot)
Backup(s): David Bell, Cedric Tillman, Michael Woods II, Jaelon Darden
How we got here: The first five wideouts are a lock to make the team and the Browns could draft another to compete for a spot. Adding Jeudy makes the room that much more dangerous and they’re in a better spot than last year.
Tight end (4)
Presumed starter(s): David Njoku
Backup(s): Jordan Akins, Giovanni Ricci*, Zaire Mitchell-Paden
How we got here: Another position that could see a draft pick step in after losing Harrison Bryant to the Las Vegas Raiders. Ricci was brought in as a blocker and Mitchel-Paden has been a practice squad guy in the past. Cleveland is lucky to have one of the best tight ends in the league with Njoku.
Offensive line (12)
Presumed starter(s): Jack Conklin (RT), Wyatt Teller (RG), Ethan Pocic (C), Joel Bitonio (LG), Jedrick Wills Jr. (LT)
Backup(s): Dawand Jones, Michael Dunn, Hakeem Adeniji*, James Hudson, Drew Forbes, Luke Wypler, Leroy Watson
How we got here: Having Jones on the bench would be tough because he is starting caliber. Perhaps the Browns deal Conklin, but they’re in good shape for depth if anyone is to go down. Nick Harris left in free agency, so Wypler steps in as a backup. The Browns added versatility with the signing of Adeniji.
Defensive line (14)
Presumed starter(s): Myles Garrett (DE), Dalvin Tomlinson (DT), Shelby Harris (DT), Za’Darius Smith (DE)
Backup(s): Alex Wright, Maurice Hurst, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Quinton Jefferson*, Isaiah McGuire, Siaki Ika, Isaiah Thomas, Lonnie Phelps, Jayden Peevy, Chris Williams
How we got here: Cleveland had Jordan Elliott walk in free agency but brought back Harris, Hurst, and Smith. Jefferson was the free agency singing and he should play a decent role. Players like Ika and McGuire making the next step would be huge.
Linebacker (7)
Presumed starter(s): Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (WILL), Jordan Hicks* (MLB), Devin Bush* (SAM)
Backup(s): Tony Fields II, Charlie Thomas III, Mohamoud Diabate, Caleb Johnson
How we got here: JOK leads the unit but it looks a lot different with Anthony Walker Jr. and Sione Takitaki being gone. Hicks and Bush are newcomers and I expect Hicks and JOK to be the two on the field at most times. Another position that I could see them adding a draft pick.
Cornerback (7)
Presumed starter(s): Denzel Ward (CB), Martin Emerson Jr. (CB), Greg Newsome II (NB)
Backup(s): Cam Mitchell, Tony Brown*, Kahlef Hailassie, Vincent Gray
How we got here: Tony Brown takes over for Mike Ford Jr. as a specialist. Cleveland continues to have a very good starting trio.
Safety (5)
Presumed starter(s): Juan Thornhill (FS), Grant Delpit (SS)
Backup(s): Rodney McLeod, Ronnie Hickman, D’Anthony Bell
How we got here: McLeod signed after a season-ending injury last season and Hickman should take a jump in his second season. I don’t expect much to change here.
Specialists (4)
Presumed starter(s): Dustin Hopkins (K), Corey Bojorquez (P), Charley Hughlett (LS)
Backup(s): Lucas Havrisik (LS)
How we got here: The same group as last year that got the job done.
Where do things go from here?
Rostered players: 68
Spots available: 22
Cleveland has to attack the draft to look for depth to fill out the rest of the roster. They’re set to have five selections, so they need to make them count. Cleveland could trade out of a spot to gain more draft selections and it is something they’ve done in the past.
The thick of free agency is over and we’ll have signings here and there throughout the offseason. In Cleveland, the goal is to take a step forward in 2024 after a playoff appearance and that is what they’re building toward.
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