Browns reset defense with draft, signings
Time for a look at the players Cleveland will take to training camp.
With the NFL draft and free agency in the books, the Cleveland Browns’ roster is pretty well set for 2021. They’ll add some players here and there, but for the most part, their 53-man roster will come from the current crop of 90.
They added depth to their offense by drafting speedy receiver Anthony Schwartz in the third round, tackle James Hudson in the fourth, and running back Demetric Felton in the sixth. But for the most part, they’re running it back with the 2020 offense that hit its stride in the second half of the season and became explosive down the stretch.
While 2020 was their year to upgrade the offense, 2021 was the defense’s turn, and it proved to be a massive overhaul that will likely feature nine new starters this season. The only returning players guaranteed to start are Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward.
The Browns have added more than 15 players on defense this season, including big-name veterans such as John Johnson III and Jadeveon Clowney. They could still add one more if they bring defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson back, which is a possibility.
Overall, the Browns added more speed, versatility and quality depth to a team that finished 11-5 and lost to the Chiefs in the divisional round. It’s a roster built to go the distance this year and get past the Chiefs, Bills and Ravens en route to the Super Bowl.
Here’s a look at the 2021 Browns:
Quarterbacks
Returning: Baker Mayfield, Case Keenum, Kyle Lauletta Signed as free agents: None. Drafted: None.
Depth chart: Mayfield will start and Keenum will be the
backup. Lauletta could be on the practice squad again.
Outlook: Mayfield is expected to take another big step in his second season in Kevin Stefanski’s system after throwing 20 touchdowns against only three interceptions in his final 12 games, including playoffs. He climbed from 31st in the NFL in 2019 with a 78.8 rating to 15th in 2020 at 95.9, and was the second highest-rated quarterback over the final seven games of the season, trailing only Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes, according to Pro Football Focus. If he plays well from the jump, he could be a top 7 or 8 QB this season.
Wide receiver
Returning: Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins, Donovan Peoples-Jones, JoJo Natson, KhaDarel Hodge, Ja’Marcus Bradley, Alexander Hollins, Ryan Switzer, Derrick Willies
Signed as free agents: None
Drafted: Anthony Schwartz, third round out of Auburn
Depth chart: Starters will be Beckham and Landry. Higgins, Peoples-Jones, Hodge and Schwartz will vie for the No. 3 spot, and they’ll alternate them depending on the opponent.
Running backs
Returning: Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, D’Ernest Johnson, John Kelly
Signed as free agents: Tre Harbison signed as an undrafted rookie out of Charlotte.
Drafted: Demetric Felton, sixth-round, UCLA
Depth chart: Chubb, Hunt and Felton.
Fullbacks
Returning: Andy Janovich, Johnny Stanton
Signed as free agents: None.
Drafted: None.
Depth chart: Janovich. Stanton could be on the practice squad.
Tight ends
Returning: Austin Hooper, Harrison Bryant, David Njoku, Stephen Carlson, Jordan Franks, Kyle Markway
Signed as free agents: None.
Drafted: None
Depth chart: Hooper will be the No. 1 tight end again, and Njoku and Bryant will likely split duties as the No. 2 depending on the matchup. Carlson will be the fourth option, but has earned more reps with smart, solid play.
Offensive tackles
Returning: Jack Conklin, Jedrick Wills Jr., Chris Hubbard, Alex Taylor
Signed as free agents: Greg Senat
Drafted: James Hudson, fourth out of Cincinnati.
Depth Chart: Conklin will start again at right tackle and Wills will start at left tackle. Hubbard and Hudson will back them up.
Guards
Returning: Joel Bitonio, Wyatt Teller, Michael Dunn, Drew Forbes, Colby Gossett, Blake Hance, Cordel Iwuagwu
Signed as free agents: None.
Drafted: None.
Depth Chart: Bitonio will start at left guard and Teller at right. The backup spots will be determined in camp.
Centers
Returning: JC Tretter, Nick Harris, Javon Patterson
Signed as free agents: None.
Drafted: None.
Depth Chart: Tretter will start and Harris will back him up.
Defensive ends
Returning: Myles Garrett, Porter Gustin, Curtis Weaver, Joe Jackson, Cameron Malveaux
Signed as free agents: Jadeveon Clowney, Takkarist McKinley, Romeo McKnight (undrafted rookie out of Charlotte)
Drafted: None.
Depth chart: Garrett and Clowney will start, with McKinley as the third end and Gustin likely fourth.
Defensive tackles
Returning: Andrew Billings, Jordan Elliott, Sheldon Day
Signed as free agents: Malik Jackson, Malik McDowell, Damion Square, Marvin Wilson (undrafted rookie out of Florida State)
Drafted: Tommy Togiai, fourth round, Ohio State.
Depth chart: Jackson will start but the other spot is up for grabs. Billings might have the inside track because of his experience. Elliott likely heads in as the third tackle, and Togiai will challenge for the fourth spot.
Linebackers
Returning: Sione Takitaki, Jacob Phillips, Mack Wilson, Malcolm Smith, Elijah Lee, Montrel Meander
Signed as free agents: Anthony Walker from the Colts.
Drafted: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, second round, Notre Dame; Tony Fields II, fifth-round, West Virginia.
Depth chart: When the Browns are in their base 4-3 defense, the starters will likely be three of these four: Takitaki, Walker, Owusu-Koramoah and Phillips. But starting spots will be up for grabs in camp.
Cornerbacks
Returning: Denzel Ward, Greedy Williams, MJ Stewart Jr., A.J. Green, Robert Jackson, Brian Allen
Signed as free agents: Troy Hill from the Rams; Kiondre Thomas, undrafted rookie out of Kansas State; Emmanuel Rugamba, undrafted rookie out of Miami (Ohio).
Drafted: Greg Newsome II, first round out of Northwestern.
Depth chart: Ward will start, while Williams and Newsome will battle for the No. 2 job. Hill will be the starting nickel back, with Stewart backing him up. Green has a chance to prove he belongs.
Safeties
Returning: Grant Delpit, Ronnie Harrison Jr., Sheldrick Redwine, Elijah Benton, Jovante Moffatt
Signed as free agents: John Johnson III from the Rams
Drafted: Richard
LeCounte III
Depth chart: Johnson and Delpit will start if Delpit (ruptured Achilles) is healthy. Harrison will serve as the third safety. LeCounte will fight for the No. 4 spot.
Specialists
Returning: K Cody Parkey, P Jamie Gillan, LS Charley Hughlett
Signed as free agents: None
Draft: None