BEREA, Ohio - The Cleveland Browns are looking to build off of their first playoff appearance in 18 years.
Going into training camp, Here's a projection of what the 53-man roster could look like:
QUARTERBACK (2): Baker Mayfield, Case Keenum
Mayfield is coming off a
RUNNING BACK (3): Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, Demetric Felton
Chubb and Hunt form arguably the top running back duo in the league, and they keep each other fresh for the fourth quarter, when they especially dominate. Felton has the potential to be a late-round steal, and could fill a number of different roles, including returner and receiver. But first, he'll have to unseat D'Ernest Johnson, who is coming off a strong 2020 season.
FULLBACK (1): Andy Janovich
Kevin Stefanski's run-heavy offense requires a run-blocking fullback, and Janovich is a crucial piece in short-yardage and goal-line sets.
WIDE RECEIVER (6): Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins, Donovan Peoples-Jones, KhaDarel Hodge, Anthony Schwartz
OBJ's return elevates the ceiling of an offense that thrived in the wake of his season-ending knee injury last year. Hodge is a cog on special teams, and Schwartz has the speed to become one too. Return specialist JoJo Natson could still earn a spot if he shows he's past the knee injury.
TIGHT END (4): Austin Hooper, David Njoku, Harrison Bryant, Stephen Carlson
This group returns completely intact. The Browns had at least two tight ends on the field last year 52% of the time, easily the highest rate in the league.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Jedrick Wills Jr., Joel Bitonio, JC Tretter, Wyatt Teller, Jack Conklin, Chris Hubbard, Nick Harris, James Hudson III, Michael Dunn
The Browns boasted perhaps the most improved line in the league last year, with Bitonio, Teller and Conklin all earning All-Pro or Pro Bowl honors. Hubbard, who can step in at any spot up front, is returning from a season-ending knee injury and will bolster the depth. So should Hudson, a fourth-round pick with plenty of potential. The final spot could come down to Dunn (who filled in admirably after a rash of injuries and illnesses late last season) and Drew Forbes (who opted out of 2020 due to COVID-19).
DEFENSIVE LINE (9): Myles Garrett, Andrew Billings, Malik Jackson, Jadeveon Clowney, Takkarist McKinley, Porter Gustin, Jordan Elliott, Tommy Togiai, Curtis Weaver
Cleveland's revamped defensive line has plenty of upside, though Clowney, McKinley and Jackson have dealt with injuries in recent seasons, while Billings opted out of last year due to COVID-19 and looked like he was still finding his shape during minicamp. Coveted undrafted rookie Marvin Wilson and free-agent flier signing Malik McDowell could both be factors for a spot here.
LINEBACKER (6): Anthony Walker, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Sione Takitaki, Jacob Phillips, Malcolm Smith, Tony Fields II
Walker and, eventually, Owusu-Koramoah will likely be Cleveland's starting LBs in coordinator Joe Woods' nickel schemes. Fields II, a fifth-round pick who missed minicamp and OTAs with a foot injury, will be aiming to take a spot from a veteran. Mack Wilson, who was drafted by the previous regime, will need to have a big camp to stick around.
SECONDARY (10): Denzel Ward, Greg Newsome II, Troy Hill, Greedy Williams, John Johnson III, Grant Delpit, Ronnie Harrison Jr., M.J. Stewart, Richard LeCounte III, A.J. Green
Cleveland's defensive backfield is much deeper, with the top seven slots locked in. Stewart, LeCounte, Green, Robert Jackson, Sheldrick Redwine, Elijah Benton and Jovante Moffatt will battle it out in camp for the remaining spots.
SPECIALIST (3): Cody Parkey, Jamie Gillan, Charley Hughlett
The same contingent as last year. The Browns need to be better here, though, after ranking just 21st in special teams efficiency in 2020.