CLEVELAND, OH - The Cleveland Browns pared down to 53 with a youth-tilt on offense and an edge-centric defense led by two superstars, then back-filled the PS with developmental linemen and backs.
The biggest decisions
-
Rolling with Joe Milton III as QB1 while keeping a developmental No. 2 (Cade Lewis) and prioritizing TE production with David Njoku.
-
Tackles Jack Conklin and Dawand Jones headline a massive OL; first-round LT Trent Calloway sticks.
-
Defense remains headlined by Myles Garrett and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, with Greg Newsome II entrenched at CB1 and Mike Hall Jr. bolstering the interior.
Initial 53 (by position)
QB (2): Joe Milton III; Cade Lewis.
RB (4): Sean Tucker; Rashad Freeman (R); Randy Daniels (ST back); (rotation back).
WR (6): Jerry Jeudy; Josh Parks; Larry Stanley; (depth/slot); (outside WR); (returner).
TE (3): David Njoku; Kevin Knowles (R); Mike Peerman.
OL (9): Trent Calloway; Jack Conklin; Dawand Jones; Germain Ifedi; Alex Pihlstrom; (swing IOL); (depth IOL); (depth T); (depth C).
DL/EDGE (9): Myles Garrett; Mike Hall Jr.; Jowon Briggs; Quincey McKenzie; Isaiah McGuire; Eric Glover; Sam Kamara; Damion Wilber; (depth LE).
LB (6): Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah; Dillon Northcutt; Darius Muasau; (SAM/NB depth x3).
CB (6): Greg Newsome II; Myles Harden; Cameron Mitchell; George Knowles (R); Tyronne McGee; (NB).
S (4): Grant Delpit; (FS2); (SS2); (teams).
ST (3): Brandon Aubrey (K); Ian Bennett (P); (LS).
Who was cut (and other moves)
-
Waived, then re-signed to PS: Larry Stanley (WR), Randy Daniels (HB), Bryan Levens (HB), Quinn Bolden (RG), Rashawn Tolbert (RT), David Williams (WR), Damien Bonds (RG), Lance Chambers (RG), Brian Nelson (TE), Hayden Finney (P).
-
Released (vested): a veteran depth DE and backup CB.
-
Injured list: Joe Milton III (5 weeks), Mike Hall Jr. (8 weeks), Dawand Jones (season) moved to team's injury ledger.
Practice squad (official)
Larry Stanley (WR), Hayden Finney (P), Danny Burroughs (HB), Quinn Bolden (RG), Rashawn Tolbert (RT), David Williams (WR),
Randy Daniels (HB), Bryan Levens (HB), Brian Nelson (TE), Damien Bonds (RG), Lance Chambers (RG).
What it means
Cleveland's identity is clear: monstrous tackles, a TE-driven passing game, and a defense built around Garrett's havoc with JOK cleaning up. Early offensive variance hinges on Milton's deep ball and Jeudy's separation; expect the defense to carry September while the line gels.
