With training camp rapidly approaching, it’s time for the annual rite of passage: the 53-man roster prediction. We already covered the offense and specialists, leaving 28 roster spots open for the defensive players.
Finding the cuts on the defense is harder, in part because special teams figure to play a prominent role in the depth positions. It’s tough to forecast which young and unproven players will perform well on the punt and kick units. By and large, I used any proven special teams ability, even in college, as a tie-breaker for direct competition for the same spot.
The defensive forecast…
Tackles
Starters: Sheldon Richardson, Larry Ogunjobi
Reserves: Brian Price, Devaroe Lawrence, Trevon Coley
Practice squad: Daniel Ekuale
Richardson and Ogunjobi make for the best Browns starting DT duo in some time, notably as pass rushers from the inside.
Price seems to be the most certain of the reserves, but this is a big camp battle to both sort out the order as well as to make the team. Lawrence’s movement skills at his size should work better with new DC Steve Wilks and that gives him an edge. Coley clings to a spot over Carl Davis. It would not surprise me if someone not currently on the Browns makes the final 53.
EDGE
Starters: Myles Garrett, Olivier Vernon
Reserves: Genard Avery, Chris Smith, Anthony Zettel, Chad Thomas
Practice squad: Jarell Owens
Garrett is a viable Defensive Player of the Year candidate in his third season, and adding the talented Vernon across from him helps Garrett get less blocking attention.
Avery showed promise as a stand-up pass rusher with some off-ball LB skills to work with. Smith appears to be a nice fit as Vernon’s backup, while Zettel’s ability to play inside or end and rush the passer makes him valuable. I’m giving Chad Thomas the benefit of the doubt here after a rookie season where he was a healthy scratch. He will need to prove himself quickly.
Smith and perhaps Thomas could wind up being more valuable for another team than the Browns, so don’t be shocked if there are trade winds swirling around this spot.
Off-ball LB
Starters: Joe Schobert, Christian Kirksey
Reserves: Sione Takitaki, Adarius Taylor, Mack Wilson
Practice squad: Willie Harvey
Get used to seeing only two LBs on the field. In fact, Schobert will be the only LB on the field far more often than the Browns deploy three backers. Despite speculation to the contrary, I believe both Schobert and Kirksey are locks and valued by the team.
Takitaki and Wilson make the team as rookie draft picks. Look for Takitaki to get some run as the third LB against heavy formations. Taylor was signed as a free agent specifically for his special teams prowess and it’s hard to see him losing out on a spot even if he can’t find a role on the defense.
I originally included Ray-Ray Armstrong on the list but it was an editing error. He still has a solid chance to stick.
CB
Starters: Denzel Ward, Terrance Mitchell, T.J. Carrie (slot)
Reserves: Greedy Williams, Eric Murray, Tavierre Thomas
Practice squad: Donnie Lewis
Three CBs will be the norm, and the Browns appear set with rising star Ward on one side and the opportunistic Mitchell on the other. Greedy Williams will be starting sooner than later, but I do think Mitchell’s experience and tackling (Williams’ primary weakness) keep him in the starting lineup to start the year.
Carrie remains the only real option in the slot, and that’s a position where someone not currently in Cleveland could seize a spot. Murray could render that moot if the free agent signee steps up. Thomas was the Browns’ best special teams player last year as an undrafted rookie and that gives him the edge over holdover Phillip Gaines.
Lewis makes it to the practice squad as a seventh-round rookie.
Safety
Starters: Damarious Randall, Jermaine Whitehead
Reserves: Morgan Burnett, Sheldrick Redwine
Practice squad: J.T. Hassell, Tigie Sankoh, Jermaine Ponder
Randall is playing for a new contract, so expect more of the strong play he brought in his first year in Cleveland. A pair of former Packers, Whitehead and Burnett, will compete for the strong safety spot. Both figure to play a lot in Wilks’ DB-heavy defense.
Redwine and Ponder are both very near the bottom of the 53 and could get bumped for more depth at WR or RB. They are fighting for the same spot and I’ll take the higher draft pick. Hassell is going to be a lot of fun to watch in the fourth preseason game, while Sankoh doesn’t count against the practice squad limit as a foreign player.
