CLEVELAND, Ohio — The moment of roster truth has arrived for the Browns as they hurtle toward the cutdown by Tuesday at 4 p.m.
After terminating or waiving 21 players on Sunday, they still have 16 pink slips to go to get down to the initial 53.
This year’s roster will change in the coming days and weeks with the status of running back Quinshon Judkins still uncertain in the wake of his domestic battery incident. Charges were dropped, but the NFL is still reviewing Judkins’ case.
The expectation is that he’ll sign his four-year rookie contract soon and be back in the fold, but the NFL must then decide if it will put him on the Commissioner’s Exempt List, tantamount to paid leave, while it completes its review of the case.
The Browns also have other tough decisions facing them over the next 30 hours or so. When they signed undrafted rookie receiver Isaiah Bond a week ago, it put Pro Bowl receiver Diontae Johnson squarely on the bubble. If he doesn’t make the initial 53, he’ll likely remain on their short list of replacements.
The Browns must also decide if they can rely on kicker Dustin Hopkins this season, or if they need firmer footing.
My roster projection includes a freebie that Kevin Stefanski provided after the preseason finale: undrafted rookie defensive tackle Adin Huntington, one of the most pleasant surprises of camp, has made the team with his excellent burst and hustle. He can also play fullback and did so in the preseason finale.
Other undrafted rookies such as receiver Gage Larvadain and safety Donovan McMillan made my initial 53 with excellent camps.
Over the next few days, the back end of the roster will change a lot, especially with the Browns holding the No. 2 spot on the waiver wire until Week 3 of the regular season. They’ll keep their eyes open for cornerbacks, offensive linemen and other key spots.
Here’s my one and only 53-man prediction:
(* – Likely starter)
Quarterbacks (4): Joe Flacco*, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders 
Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco throws a pass pressured by Los Angeles Rams cornerback Charles Woods in the first half during their preseason game at Huntington Bank Field. John Kuntz, cleveland.com
The outlook: The Browns have always planned to keep four quarterbacks, and will only pivot if someone makes them an offer they can’t refuse. waver from Flacco earned the Week 1 start against the Bengals, but the situation is fluid. Once Pickett is fully recovered from his hamstring injury, he’ll be back in the conversation for the starting job, and ready to step in if Flacco isn’t getting the job done.
Gabriel, who also suffered a hamstring injury a week after Pickett, demonstrated during his two preseason appearances that he can also handle the backup job if called upon. Gabriel showed good poise, mobility, decision-making and arm strength, especially during his impressive two-minute drive at the end of the half vs. the Rams, going 9-of-11 for 86 yards, with a 3 yard touchdown pass to Larvadain.
Sanders had a great debut against the Panthers, but struggled vs. the Rams, taking five sacks on his five drives and managing only one first down. The Browns like him a lot and will continue to develop him.
About the others: Deshaun Watson (Achilles) will go from active/Physically Unable to Perform to reserve/Physically Unable to Perform, where he must remain for at least four games. But he’s coming along well in his rehab from his retorn Achilles repair, and could be ready to go later in the season. Whether or not the Browns will activate him remains to be seen, but they’ve been happy with how he’s attacked his rehab, and how he’s helped the other QBs, especially Gabriel and Sanders. Tyler Huntley’s contract was terminated Sunday, meaning he’s free to sign with any team.
Running backs (3): Quinshon Judkins*, Jerome Ford, Dylan Sampson
Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson gains a few yards before being tackled by Los Angeles Rams linebacker Tony Fields II (L) and Los Angeles Rams linebacker Elias Neal in the first half during their preseason game at Huntington Bank Field. John Kuntz, cleveland.com
The outlook: The Browns will likely receive a roster exemption for Judkins, their second-round pick out of Ohio State, once he signs his four-year rookie contract. This is particularly true if he’s placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt list while the league completes its review of his domestic battery arrest. But the expectation is that he’ll be on the team at some point fairly soon, and this prediction reflects how the room will ultimately look. Once he’s back with the team, he’ll be reinstated as the workhorse back and heir apparent to Nick Chubb. Ford had a good camp and can spell both Judkins in the featured back role and Sampson, their fourth-round pick, in the third-down role. The Browns are not looking to trade for a running back.
What about the others: Pierre Strong Jr. didn’t have his best camp, and won’t make the 53 largely because Sampson has made him expendable. Sampson can catch as well as run, and provide a nice changeup to Judkins. Rookie Ahmani Marshall was impressive in camp and will end up on the practice squad. Same goes for seventh-year pro Trayveon Williams. Latecomer Toa Taua will remain on the radar for down the road.
Wide Receivers (6): Jerry Jeudy*, Cedric Tillman*, Jamari Thrash, Isaiah Bond, Deandre Carter, Gage Larvadain
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (R) and Cleveland Browns wide receiver Gage Larvadain ham it up for the cameras after their win over the Los Angeles Rams during their preseason game at Huntington Bank Field. John Kuntz, cleveland.com
The outlook: Jeudy had an excellent camp and appears poised for another 1,000 yard, Pro Bowl-caliber season. Tillman suffered a thumb injury the last week of camp, and sat out the preseason finale against the Rams. But he’s expected back soon, and the Browns are counting on him to pick up where he left off before a concussion that cost him the final six games of last season. Thrash has elevated his game this year, and Bond looked fast and ready to roll in his three practices since signing with the Browns as a free agent last week. He got nine snaps vs. the Rams to get his feet wet, and will get some starting reps in the opener.
The Bengals will have to account for his speed, which he says has hit 4.2 in the 40.
Carter is primarily a returner but for ready for spot duty, and undrafted rookie Larvadain out of South Carolina had too great a camp to expose to waivers despite his 5-8, 171 stature. The unit now has size, speed, great hands, and excellent route-running ability.
About the others: Once Bond’s sexual assault charge was dropped and the Browns jumped to sign him, Johnson became expendable. Had he performed better in camp, he might’ve made things tough, but he was inconsistent. Skipping voluntary organized team activities didn’t help his cause. Young receivers Kisean Johnson and Cade McDonald are practice squad candidates. David Bell, placed on the active/Non-football injury list with an undisclosed issue at the start of camp, won’t be ready to play this season, and a decision will have to be made. Kaden Davis had an excellent camp and will be signed to the practice squad if he doesn’t make the initial 53.
Tight ends (3): David Njoku*, Harold Fannin Jr.*, Blake Whiteheart
Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku jumps in on the reaction video with Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy after their win over the Los Angeles Rams during their preseason game at Huntington Bank Field. John Kuntz, cleveland.com
The outlook: Njoku is poised to have a big season with Flacco firing the ball to him downfield and finding him in the red zone and end zone. But Fannin, who had an excellent camp, can also be considered a starter because the Browns will be in 12 personnel, or two tight ends much of the time. They’ll also sometimes use three tight ends, which is where Whiteheart comes in. Whiteheart suffered a knee injury during the preseason finale, but could possibly be available for the opener. If that’s the case, he won’t be one of the two allowed IR/designated to return players on cutdown day.
About the others: Sal Cannella and Mitch Van Vooren were waived on Sunday, and Brendan Bates will likely be the odd man Tuesday. All are on the radar for the practice squad.
Offensive linemen (9): Dawand Jones*, Joel Bitonio*, Ethan Pocic*, Wyatt Teller*, Jack Conklin*, Cornelius Lucas, Zak Zinter, Teven Jenkins, Luke Wypler
Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco throws a pass in the first half during their preseason game at Huntington Bank Field. John Kuntz, cleveland.com
The outlook: It’s a good, veteran offensive line featuring three All-Pros in Bitonio, Teller and Conklin, with left tackle Jones being the only new full-time starter. The backups are solid with 12-year pro Lucas as the swing tackle, Zinter and Jenkins as the backup guards, and Wypler as the reserve center. Pocic hobbled out of the preseason finale Saturday with a full brace on his left knee, but the Browns hope he’ll be ready for the opener. Wypler had a good camp and is ready to step in if necessary. Lucas suffered a late-camp ankle injury, but should be okay soon.
About the others: The Browns cut seven offensive linemen on Sunday in tackles Jackson Barton, Sebastian Gutierrez, Jason Ivey, and Lorenzo Thompson; guards Javion Cohen, and Dartanyan Tinsley; and center Bucky Williams.
Defensive ends (5): Myles Garrett*, Alex Wright*, Isaiah McGuire, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Cameron Thomas
Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett slaps hands with high school football players before their preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at Huntington Bank Field. John Kuntz, cleveland.com
The outlook: Browns GM Andrew Berry referred to Garrett during the team’s telecast of the Rams game as the “best defensive player on the planet” and that’s where the Browns have the bar set for their newly-minted $40 million-a-year man this season. He noted that Garrett might find himself one-on-one with tackles more this season with No. 5 defensive tackle Mason Graham drawing attention inside. In training camp, Garrett has shown flashes of unleashing the beast and having a monster season. Quarterbacks, be afraid. Wright, coming off a torn triceps that cost him most of last season, has the inside track to start opposite Garrett and build on his five-sack season of 2023. He looked like a double-digit sacker in camp. McGuire is ready to make his mark, and Tryon-Shoyinka seems capable of far more than what he showed in Tampa. Thomas will make it on the strength of his run defense and special teams prowess.
About the others: Julian Okwara suffered a rib injury during the preseason finale, and could be a candidate for one of the IR/designated to return spots. He’s a good rusher, and those are at a premium. K.J. Henry was waived Sunday but could resurface on the practice squad.
Defensive tackles (5): Mason Graham*, Mike Hall*, Maliek Collins, Shelby Harris, Adin Huntington
Cleveland Browns defensive line coach Jacques Cesaire talks to Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Mason Graham during day nine of Browns training camp in Berea. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
The outlook: Graham caught on well during camp to his simple assignment: ‘See quarterback, get quarterback.’ Or ‘see running back, get running back.’ The Browns want him attacking with a vengeance and not thinking about the how or why. It’s different than what he did at Michigan, but he’s adapting. Paired with Garrett, Graham will wreak plenty of havoc from the inside, as will Mike Hall Jr. (active/PUP) who’s is still rehabbing from his knee surgery.
But Hall is getting close, as seen in practice last week when he ran short sprints and pushed a sled. He’s so close that the Browns probably won’t want to put him on reserve/PUP, where he wouldn’t be able to practice or play for four weeks. Collins brings a strong veteran presence, and undrafted rookie Huntington was one of the biggest surprises of camp with his explosiveness and versatility. He played fullback and blocked for Sampson on the Browns’ first play vs. the Rams, a 4 yard run. Harris is a 12th-year pro, but played much younger in camp, batting passes and pressuring from inside.
About the others: The Browns waived Ralph Holley on Sunday, and traded Jowon Briggs to the Jets last week.
Linebackers (5): Carson Schwesinger*, Mohamoud Diabate*, Devin Bush*, Jerome Baker, Easton Mascarenas-Arnold
Cleveland Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger hits Los Angeles Rams quarterback Dresser Winn as he makes a pass in the first half in their preseason game at Huntington Bank Field. John Kuntz, cleveland.com
The outlook: During the Browns telecast of the Rams game, Berry gushed over second-round linebacker Schwesinger, saying “it’s like we added a five year vet to the room. It’s very rare for rookie linebackers to be able to come in and wear the green dot right away. And it’s really been seamless with him. He’s long, he can run.” The surprise here has been Macarenas-Arnold, the undrafted rookie out of USC. “We’re very pleased, very, very pleased,” Berry said. “This guy’s a pro here. I’m very pleased with Easton this preseason. It’s funny. Him, Carson and Mason, we might as well call them the triplets because they’re always together in the facility since, since spring. He can run. He can play in coverage even though he’s a little undersized.” If Mascarenas doesn’t make the initial 53 because of the numbers game, he’ll likely be back soon in some capacity.
What about the others: The position has taken a hit, with Nathaniel Watson suffering a season-ending torn biceps last week, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah being lost for the season to a neck injury, and Jordan Hicks retiring. But Schwesinger has been everything the Browns hoped, and Macarenas-Arnold has been an unexpected bonus. Winston Reid will be a candidate for IR/designated to return.
Cornerbacks (5): Denzel Ward*, Greg Newsome II*, Cam Mitchell, Myles Harden, Dom Jones
Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward gestures after the defense breaks up a play during team drills at day nine of Browns training camp in Berea. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
The outlook: Ward was off to an excellent start before suffering a shoulder injury last week, but he should be okay for the opener. Newsome is back in the starting lineup on the outside with Martin Emerson Jr. lost for the season to a ruptured Achilles, and youngsters Cam Mitchell and Myles Harden will rotate in. The Browns will keep their eyes open for good corners to shake free.
About the others: Tony Brown II and Chigozie Anusiem were let go on Sunday, but could land back on the practice squad, and possibly the 53 at some point this season.
Safeties (5): Grant Delpit*, Ronnie Hickman*, Rayshawn Jenkins, Damontae Kazee, Donovan McMillan
Cleveland Browns safety Grant Delpit catches a pass in coverage drills during day 16 of training camp in Berea.John Kuntz, cleveland.com
The outlook: It’s time for Delpit, the Browns second-round pick in 2020, to make a push for the Pro Bowl. Delpit wants to elevate his game, and this could be his year. It will take some INTs, forced fumbles and other impact plays, but he has those in him. Hickman is also poised for a career season, and forcing turnovers can be his calling card. Jenkins and Kazee bring that savvy experience, and McMillan, an undrafted rookie out of Pittsburgh, made a strong case in camp both on defense and special-teams.
About the others: Nik Needham’s contract was terminated on Sunday, and Christopher Edmonds could land back here soon.
Specialists (3): K Dustin Hopkins*, P Cory Bojorquez*, LS Rex Sunahara*
Cleveland Browns place kicker Dustin Hopkins attempts an extra point held by Cleveland Browns punter Corey Bojorquez that he missed in the second half. John Kuntz, cleveland.com
The outlook: Hopkins struggled some in camp, pushing an extra point wide left vs. the Rams after making a 28 yard field goal. He says he overcorrected after not liking how he hit the field goal. It’s something to keep an eye on. Hopkins battled down the stretch last season, and the Browns can’t afford inconsistency here. Bojorquez is as solid as they come, and only getting better. Sunahara, the hometown player from Bay Village, Ohio, takes over the fulltime longsnapping duties.
About the others: First-year kick Andre Szmyt out of Syracuse had a nice camp and will land on the practice squad if he clears waivers.
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