Projecting Browns’ initial 53-man roster
The Browns must DETROIT — meet the NFL’s cutdown deadline of 4 p.m. today, when all teams have to reduce their rosters to a maximum of 53 players.
When the Browns visited the Detroit Lions on Thursday night for the preseason finale, they had 86 players on their roster. They cut some in the days preceding the game, they’ll release more Friday and then even more today to get to 53.
Then the Browns will make more moves Sunday when players cut throughout the league will be available on waivers. The claiming period will expire at noon Sunday. Coming off an 0-16 season, the Browns will have first priority on the waiver wire.
So the roster will remain in flux in the buildup to the Sept. 9 regular-season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but here’s a prediction for what the initial 53 could look like.
OFFENSE (26) Quarterbacks (3)
On roster: Tyrod Taylor, Baker Mayfield, Drew Stanton Cut: Brogan Roback Running backs (4)
On roster: Carlos Hyde, Duke Johnson, Nick Chubb, Matthew Dayes
Cut: Dontrell Hilliard Fullback
On roster: None
Cut: Danny Vitale
Wide receivers (6)
On roster: Jarvis Landry, Josh Gordon, Antonio Callaway, Rashard Higgins, Damion Ratley, Derek Willies
Cut: Jeff Janis, C.J. Board, Da’Mari Scott, Blake Jackson Tight ends (4)
On roster: David Njoku, Darren Fells, Seth DeValve, Orson Charles
Cut: Devon Cajuste, Stephen Baggett
Line (9)
On roster: Joel Bitonio, Austin Corbett, JC Tretter, Kevin Zeitler, Chris Hubbard, Desmond Harrison, Greg Robinson, Spencer Drango, Earl Watford
Cut: Shon Coleman, Austin Reiter, Avery Gennesy, Fred Lauina, Anthony Fabiano, Christian DiLauro DEFENSE (24) Line (8)
On roster: Myles Garrett, Emmanuel Ogbah, Larry Ogunjobi, Trevon Coley, Jamie Meder, Chad Thomas, Chris Smith, Carl Nassib
Cut: Nate Orchard, Caleb Brantley, Jeremy Faulk, Zaycoven Henderson, Daniel Ekuale, Blaine Woodson, Lenny Jones Linebacker (6)
On roster: Jamie Collins, Joe Schobert, Christian Kirksey, Genard Avery, James Burgess, Jermaine Grace
Cut: Justin Currie, B.J. Bello, Brady Shelton Cornerbacks (7)
On roster: Denzel Ward, Terrance Mitchell, Briean Boddy-Calhoun, TJ Carrie, E.J. Gaines, Mike Jordan, Jeremiah McKinnon
Cut: Simeon Thomas, Denzel Rice, Christian Boutte
Safeties (3)
On roster: Damarious Randall, Jabrill Peppers, Derrick Kindred
Cut: Derron Smith, Elijah Campbell, Tigie Sankoh, Montrel Meander SPECIALISTS (3)
On roster: kicker Zane Gonzalez, punter Britton Colquitt, long snapper Charley Hughlett
Cut: Punter Justin Vogel