BEREA, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns open the 2023 NFL regular season against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 10 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
The Browns might own their most talented overall roster since rejoining the NFL in 1999. They boast several Pro Bowl performers, including running back Nick Chubb, left guard Joel Bitonio, defensive end Myles Garrett and cornerback Denzel Ward. This offseason, the Browns also traded for three-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Za'Darius Smith to pair with Garrett.
The key to a run to the playoffs, however, figures to hinge on whether quarterback Deshaun Watson can regain his own Pro Bowl form after struggling in his debut season in Cleveland. If Watson returns to being among the league's top passers, the Browns have the talent to be a Super Bowl contender.
Here's a 53-man roster projection:
QUARTERBACK (3): Deshaun Watson, Joshua Dobbs, Dorian Thompson-Robinson
The Browns drafted Thompson-Robinson in the fifth round out of UCLA with hopes that he can become Watson's long-term backup, beginning in 2024. For now, Dobbs is the No. 2 behind Watson. Dobbs is familiar with the Browns from his time on the team last year. Dobbs also showed in Tennessee late last season that he can perform admiringly in a pinch.
RUNNING BACK (3): Nick Chubb, Jerome Ford, Demetric Felton Jr.
As the Browns transition to a pass-happy scheme around Watson, it will be interesting to see what happens to Chubb's workload. Chubb remains one of the league's top rushers and could gash opposing defenses with more space, even if he winds up with fewer carries. The Browns likely will add a veteran runner to play behind Ford, who will be getting an opportunity to prove he can be the No. 2 back after Chubb.
WIDE RECEIVER (7): Amari Cooper, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Elijah Moore, Cedric Tillman, Marquise Goodwin, David Bell, Jakeem Grant Sr.
The Browns have upgraded their speed at receiver, trading for Moore and signing Goodwin, a pair of burners who could thrive with Watson heaving passes downfield. The Browns also believe they drafted a future starter in Tillman, who should get plenty of snaps as the No. 3 outside wide receiver behind Cooper and Peoples-Jones.
TIGHT END (3): David Njoku, Harrison Bryant, Jordan Akins
Akins, formerly Watson's teammate in Houston, gives the Browns another big, physical option in the red zone. Njoku is coming off a breakout season with 58 receptions and should remain a go-to option for Watson, including at the goal-line and in the seams downfield.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Jedrick Wills Jr., Joel Bitonio, Ethan Pocic, Wyatt Teller, Jack Conklin, James Hudson III, Drew Forbes, Dawand Jones, Luke Wypler
All five starters are back from last season, including Pocic, whom the Browns re-signed after his breakout year at center. Cleveland also drafted a pair of Buckeyes in Jones and Wypler, who have the upside to become future starters down the line.
DEFENSIVE LINE (9): Myles Garrett, Za'Darius Smith, Jordan Elliott, Dalvin Tomlinson, Ogbo Okoronkwo, Siaki Ika, Maurice Hurst, Alex Wright, Isaiah McGuire
After a disastrous 2022 season stopping the run, the Browns loaded up on bodies along the defensive line. Tackle depth, however, could still be a concern following Perrion Winfrey's release last week.
LINEBACKER (6): Anthony Walker Jr., Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Sione Takitaki, Jacob Phillips, Tony Fields II, Matthew Adams
Walker, Owusu-Koramoah, Takitaki and Phillips are all coming off season-ending injuries. Walker's veteran leadership was sorely missed after his Week 3 injury last season, and his calming presence will be welcomed back. Adams figures to be a special teams ace. Jordan Kunaszyk could also push for a spot here, especially if Takitaki (knee) hasn't fully recovered from his injury when the season begins.
CORNERBACK (6): Denzel Ward, Greg Newsome II, Martin Emerson Jr., A.J. Green, Cameron Mitchell, Mike Ford
The Browns quietly ranked No. 1 in the NFL in opposing QBR when in man coverage last year. Under new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, Cleveland should be in man more often (only 45.5% of opposing dropbacks last season).
SAFETY (4): Grant Delpit, Juan Thornhill, Rodney McLeod, D'Anthony Bell
After struggling for much of last season, Delpit came on strongly down the stretch. Now three years removed from an Achilles injury, he seems primed to take another step forward. He'll have help in a pair of veterans in Thornhill and McLeod, both newcomers to the team from free agency.
SPECIALISTS (3): Charley Hughlett (LS), Cade York (K), Corey Bojorquez (P)
After nailing a game-winning, 58-yard field goal in his pro debut, York struggled to consistently convert kicks. New special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone will be tasked with helping York rediscover the form at LSU that made him Cleveland's fourth-round pick in 2022.