CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – The preseason is in the books and now it’s time to cut the Browns roster to the initial 53 following Sunday night’s 19-10 win over the Falcons.
There will likely be multiple moves made after Tuesday’s 4 p.m. eastern deadline, hence the term initial 53, but we put on our GM hat and try to do Andrew Berry’s job for him.
Made the case:
KhaDarel Hodge – Yes, he let a possible TD slip through his hands on the opening series, but he redeemed himself by hauling in the next two throws from Baker Mayfield, including a 22-yard touchdown. The fact he didn’t need to play much after the first quarter appears to be a very good sign for him.
D’Ernest Johnson – The reliable back caught 5 of 6 targets for 44 yards and ran three times for 11. The Browns know what he brings to the table and the fact they didn’t need to look at him in the return game Sunday night is a positive for him.
Malik McDowell – McDowell got consistent push up front, was credited with half a sack and two tackles Sunday night. His size, upside on the field and low cost make him appealing to keep and difficult to try to get through waivers to the practice squad. Does Berry risk losing him?
Hurt the cause:
JoJo Natson – Natson did not reel in either of his two targets and he netted just two yards on his only punt return. He did rip off 20 yards on a kickoff return, but with the team’s belief in speedster rookie Anthony Schwartz in the return game, Natson could be expendable and the odd man out now.
Chase McLaughlin – McLaughlin potentially cost himself the kicking job by missing a PAT wide right late in the fourth quarter. He came up one yard short on a 56-yard try at the end of the first half that hit the crossbar, made another PAT plus kicks from 32 and 28. McLaughlin will be on the initial 53 by default but look for Berry to find another option for a Week 1 kicker elsewhere shortly after players clear waivers.
Flip a coin:
Jordan Franks and Kyle Markway – The battle for the fourth tight end spot is a coin toss. Franks caught 4 of 6 targets for 45 yards with his longest gain going for 14. Markway, brought in this week, has familiarity after spending last season on the practice squad. He caught 5 of 8 targets for 54 yards.
Here’s how our initial 53 looks if we were in Berry’s shoes.
Offense: 25
WRs (6) – Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry, Donavan Peoples-Jones, Rashard Higgins, Anthony Schwartz, KhaDarel Hodge
TEs (4) – Austin Hooper, David Njoku, Harrison Bryant, Jordan Franks*
RBs (4) – Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, D’Ernest Johnson, Demetric Felton
FB (1) – Andy Janovich
OL (8) – Jedrick Wills Jr., Joel Bitonio, JC Tretter, Wyatt Teller, Jack Conklin, James Hudson III, Nick Harris, Chris Hubbard
QBs (2) – Baker Mayfield, Case Keenum
Defense: 25
DL (10) – Myles Garrett, Jadeveon Clowney, Malik Jackson, Andrew Billings, Takkarist McKinley, Porter Gustin, Malik McDowell, Sheldon Day, Tommy Togiai
LBs (5) – Mack Wilson, Anthony Walker Jr., Sione Takitaki, Malcolm Smith, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
S (5) – John Johnson III, Ronnie Harrison Jr., Grant Delpit, Sheldrick Redwine, Richard LeCounte III
CBs (5) – Denzel Ward, Greg Newsome II, Greedy Williams, Troy Hill, A.J. Green
Specialists: 3
LS (1) – Charley Hughlett
P (1) – Jamie Gillan
K (1) – Chase McLaughlin*
*subject to being cut following waiver claims
Reserve/suspended by commissioner (1): WR Davion Davis
Trade bait (2) – WR JoJo Natson, DT Jordan Elliott
