The Browns will have as many roster spots up for grabs as any team in the league—starting with the most important position in sports.
Quarterback (4)
Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel (R), Joe Flacco, Shedeur Sanders (R)
Cleveland appears set to have a true quarterback competition, and it’s tough to determine who wouldn’t make the roster if only three quarterbacks are kept. We believe Kenny Pickett is the favorite to be the Week 1 starter, Dillon Gabriel was drafted in the third round, Joe Flacco provides a veteran presence (and some of the best quarterback play under the current regime), and Shedeur Sanders has top-10 talent. The team might end up keeping four signal-callers on the 53-man roster out of camp for the second year in a row.
Running back (4)
Quinshon Judkins (R), Dylan Sampson (R), Jerome Ford, Troy Hairston
The Nick Chubb era is almost certainly over, but the Browns did well to get an impressive rookie combination with Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson. They’ll likely be joined by Jerome Ford after the fourth-year runner took a pay cut this offseason, and Troy Hairston was signed to be the fullback in Kevin Stefanski’s offense.
Wide receiver (5)
Jerry Jeudy, Cedric Tillman, Diontae Johnson, Jamari Thrash, DeAndre Carter
Wide receiver will be a very close battle behind Jerry Jeudy and Cedric Tillman, and Diontae Johnson should be close to a lock—and the potential No. 2 wideout—if he proves to be a good teammate this summer. Behind those three, Jamari Thrash and former third-round pick David Bell might be fighting for just one roster spot (especially if four quarterbacks are kept), but an undrafted rookie will have a shot here. DeAndre Carter is expected to make it for his return value.
Tight end (3)
David Njoku, Harold Fannin Jr. (R), Blake Whiteheart
Baltimore will have something to say about it, but David Njoku and third-round pick Harold Fannin Jr. could immediately be the best one-two punch at tight end in the league—so Cleveland can keep three options with Blake Whiteheart making it over Tre’ McKitty.
Offensive tackle (3)
Dawand Jones, Jack Conklin, Cornelius Lucas
Cleveland can get back to having a top offensive line if Dawand Jones and Jack Conklin can stay healthy, and Cornelius Lucas at least gives them a very capable insurance policy as the swing tackle. We would keep an eye on 2024 undrafted free agent Julian Pearl, too, but the quarterback situation might prevent the Browns from keeping four tackles on the active roster.
Interior offensive line (6)
Joel Bitonio, Ethan Pocic, Wyatt Teller, Teven Jenkins, Zak Zinter, Luke Wypler
The entire interior appears set with Teven Jenkins and Zak Zinter as the backup guards and Luke Wypler as the backup center—but Javion Cohen shouldn’t be overlooked after making the team out of camp as an undrafted rookie in 2024. He won’t be helped by Jenkins being signed this offseason as a primary depth piece and Zinter being a third-round pick last year, so we’ll see how it plays out in August.
Defensive tackle (4)
Mason Graham (R), Maliek Collins, Shelby Harris, Mike Hall Jr.
Cleveland keeping just four defensive tackles is a possibility to open up roster space elsewhere, and they’ll be leaning heavily on Mason Graham after spending the fifth-overall pick on him. The team would ideally prefer for Mike Hall Jr. to emerge in Year 2, but Maliek Collins (signed this offseason) and returning starter Shelby Harris should have the interior as a strength either way. Jowon Briggs would be the favorite if five defensive tackles are kept.
Defensive end (7)
Myles Garrett, Ogbo Okoronkwo, Isaiah McGuire, Alex Wright, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Julian Okwara, Sam Kamara
The Browns gave Myles Garrett a record-breaking extension to end his trade request this offseason, but defensive end is wide open behind him with several candidates to not only make the roster, but also to have a role. The main question marks are likely the final two of three spots with Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Julian Okwara, Sam Kamara, Cameron Thomas, and Elerson Smith among those hoping to make an impressive this summer.
Linebacker (5)
Jordan Hicks, Carson Schwesinger (R), Jerome Baker, Mohamoud Diabate, Devin Bush
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah already being ruled out for the season with a neck injury is extremely unfortunate, but the Browns were preparing for that to be the case by signing Jerome Baker and drafting Carson Schwesinger in Round 2. The final spot is expected to come down to Devin Bush and Nathaniel Watson with the top four all safe.
Cornerback (5)
Denzel Ward, Martin Emerson Jr., Greg Newsome II, Cameron Mitchell, Nik Needham
Competition all throughout the roster is a clear focus for Cleveland in 2025, and cornerback is yet another position where one or two spots will be up for grabs in training camp. If only five cornerbacks are kept, former Dolphins starter Nik Needham needs to hold off Myles Harden, Tony Brown II, Chigozie Anusiem.
Safety (4)
Ronnie Hickman, Grant Delpit, Rayshawn Jenkins, Damontae Kazee
Safety will look a bit different for Cleveland this season with Rayshawn Jenkins and Damontae Kazee each brought in as veteran backups behind Ronnie Hickman and Grant Delpit. The only other options currently on the 90-man roster are Christopher Edmonds (undrafted in 2024) and Donovan McMillon (undrafted this year).
Special teams (3)
Dustin Hopkins, Corey Bojorquez, Brent Matiscik (R)
Corey Bojorquez is the only safe option on special teams, but we’d expect Dustin Hopkins retains the starting job in a battle with Andre Szmyt, while rookie Brent Matiscik beats out Rex Sunahara as the long snapper.