~ The Cleveland BROWNS Depth Chart - (5-27-2023). Subject to revisions.

[Flugel]

@gumby73 said:

Cleveland Browns - Depth Chart

Offensive Positions

POS	STARTER	SECOND	THIRD+
Quarterback	Deshaun Watson	Joshua Dobbs	Dorian Thompson-Robinson * free 54th QB roster spot Kellen Mond
Running Back	Nick Chubb	Jerome Ford	Demetric Felton / *poss FA add John Kelly Nate McCrary
Wide Receiver	Amari Cooper	Elijah Moore	Donovan Peoples-Jones David Bell Cedric Tillman Marquise Goodwin Jakeem Grant *going to be close/bubble healthy Jaelon Darden Anthony Schwartz Daylen Baldwin Mike Harley Ra'Shaun Henry Michael Woods II *IR knee 2023
Tight End	David Njoku	Jordan Akins	Harrison Bryant Zaire Mitchell-Paden Thomas Greaney
Left Tackle	Jedrick Wills	James Hudson	Hunter Thedford
Left Guard	Joel Bitonio	Michael Dunn	Colby Gossett Wes Martin
Center	Ethan Pocic	Nick Harris	Luke Wypler
Right Guard	Wyatt Teller	Drew Forbes	Dawson Deaton
Right Tackle	Jack Conklin	Dawand Jones	Tyrone Wheatley Jr.

Defensive Positions

POS	STARTER	SECOND	THIRD+
Left Defensive End	Myles Garrett	Alex Wright	Isaiah Thomas Jeremiah Martin
Right Defensive End	Za'Darius Smith	Obo Okoronkwo	Isaiah McGuire Sam Kamara Lonnie Phelps
Left Defensive Tackle	Dalvin Tomlinson	Siaki Ika	Perrion Winfrey Tommy Togiai
Right Defensive Tackle	Jordan Elliott	Maurice Hurst	Trysten Hill
Strongside Linebacker	Sione Takitaki *Projected PUP	Tony Fields II	Charlie Thomas
Middle Linebacker	Anthony Walker	Jacob Phillips	Mohamoud Diabate
Weakside Linebacker	Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah	Matthew Adams	Jordan Kunaszyk
Right Cornerback	Greg Newsome II	A.J. Green	Mike Ford Thomas Graham Jr.
Left Cornerback	Denzel Ward	Martin Emerson	Cameron Mitchell Caleb Biggers Chris Westry
Strong Safety	Grant Delpit	Rodney McLeod	Bubba Bolden Tanner McCalister
Free Safety	Juan Thornhill	D'Anthony Bell	Ronnie Hickman

Special Teams Positions

POS	STARTER	SECOND	THIRD+
Punter	Corey Bojorquez	Joseph Charlton	—
Kicker	Cade York	—	—
Long Snapper	Charley Hughlett	—	—
Holder	Corey Bojorquez	Joseph Charlton	—
Punt Returner	Jakeem Grant	Donovan Peoples-Jones	Jaelon Darden Demetric Felton
Kick Returner	Jakeem Grant	Jerome Ford	Jaelon Darden

RED lock 53 man roster..

BLUE project to get in..

BUT ! it's mid June ! 

 

Awesome job with that Gumbs!  Thanks!

[Flugel]

@calfoxwc said:

fine. same old clique. Your friends can screw up the board all they want. bring the other forum over here all they want.

I'll always be a browns fan, as about 50 percent of the fans who are disgusted with that trade.

again, your hostility is because of the other forum, so I"ve been told.

I'm fine wtih not posting anythihg negative again, if you can just have your little friends do the same thing.

Besides, I'm going to have my knee replaced and won't be on for a while. You need to decide if you are going to be fair or not with the rules.

STFU you spineless coward.   The last time I spoke with Stan (Atenears) - he said you were the biggest pain in his ass tattling on people on the poli board.  When I asked how bad is it - he said it felt like it was every week or 2.  So, you're a man in your late 60s tattling on people that frequently.  Even more pathetic, every time he researched your complaints - you were always the instigator and the bigger jerk in the argument. That's what the guy who started our board thought of you.  You're a pussy and he's right.  

Who else on this board needs to holster up a hand gun when they take friends/family to Chuckee Cheese? 

You contribute NOTHING to the football board.  Did you ever wonder why I was the only one that ever complimented your football posts?   

And here you are snipping back at someone that is willing to give you another chance.

You're just like your idol.  You never know when to shut your trap!

[Westside Steve]

@dutch-oven said:

I've said it many times on here, I have zero problems with someone having a moral issue with Deshaun Watson, and being unhappy the Browns traded for him. Zero.

But some MAGA nimrod trying to act all holier than thou about it? The same MAGA hilljack that cries "Look out new posters, if you don't agree with this one specific clique they will silence you!" is the same calfox who has run to the moderators FOR YEARS trying to get people kicked off here who upset his tender feelings.

Fuck that noise. With any luck that  treasonous orange piece of shit will choke on a Big Mac and he and whatever died on his head will be rotting in hell sooner than later. 

Now, back to the Browns depth chart.... AGAIN.

Oh fuck you and fuck your politics. I don't really follow this one very much because it's pretty obvious that Watson is probably number one on the depth chart. He's the most talented guy on paper in the quarterback room especially since they shit canned Brissett.

There's probably more than one reason to not like him but his skin color isn't one of them. Then again give me a call when the Browns get out of the AFC North celler.

WSS

[Dutch Oven]

@westside-steve said:

Oh fuck you and fuck your politics. I don't really follow this one very much because it's pretty obvious that Watson is probably number one on the depth chart. He's the most talented guy on paper in the quarterback room especially since they shit canned Brissett.

There's probably more than one reason to not like him but his skin color isn't one of them. Then again give me a call when the Browns get out of the AFC North celler.

WSS

Give you a call?

I never even bother conversing with you on this message board. 

Not WSS

[syd]

@calfoxwc said:

fine. same old clique. Your friends can screw up the board all they want. bring the other forum over here all they want.

I'll always be a browns fan, as about 50 percent of the fans who are disgusted with that trade.

again, your hostility is because of the other forum, so I"ve been told.

I'm fine wtih not posting anythihg negative again, if you can just have your little friends do the same thing.

Besides, I'm going to have my knee replaced and won't be on for a while. You need to decide if you are going to be fair or not with the rules.

who the hell is screwing up the browns board ? you mean people like nickers and gorka ? at least nickers tries to talk football (god bless him) but your pal gorka only brings insults and bullshit and a very low football iq. if anything at all

[gumby73]

@flugel said:

 Stan (Atenears) -

That's the guy who started our board 

Sadly, ?

Stan would have been celebrating his 56th birthday this Tuesday ?   

About ATENEARS  

• Birthday 06/13/1967  ?
• Far to soon friend !  Happy Birthday founder Stan !  ?
• depth chart topic..
• #56 C Luuu-ke Wypler !     

[Bob806]

Time for a Browns Board tailgate & some chants of Koom By Ahh, or however it's spelled lol. 

Go Browns, I can't wait til Sept 10th when they kick the BenGals asses. 

[Westside Steve]

Maybe it's just my phone but the formatting of this seems kind of weird. Beyond that I don't think it's all that controversial.

WSS 

[Flugel]

Zombo said:

Nice! The depth chart thread is my favorite. I love getting to know even the guys that only have a 1 % chance of making the final roster. Let's hope this is THE roster that gets us what we are all hoping for.

Z

Great points!  I LOVE having a depth chart and Gumbs did an awesome job on it for us.  It's fun to see how the positions that needed the most attention got it in the off season.  Look at the drastic difference in our defensive line.  The improvement there should keep the offensive linemen off our LBers.  Even better, we add the extensive experience of Jim Schwartz to Coordinate the sic em, sock em and sack em.   

Offensively, it'll be nice to have the starting QB with us in week 1.  I think Jerome Ford can do an excellent job replacing of Kareem Hunt.  I've watched his highlights of his last year in college as the #1 prong of attack for a team that made the BCS Playoffs for the 1st time.  The guy scored 20 TDs for that team. He's a good receiver out of the backfield too.  He'll be wearing #34 (like Kevin Mack and Greg Pruitt) so I hope he does it justice.  I also read that Nick Chubb is dedicating this season to Jim Brown so I'm feeling pretty good about our 1st 2 backs.  I get the impression the FO will continue to bring in competition for the 3rd RB spot.  The WR Corps looks promising on paper. The more time and experience they get working with Watson - the more we'll see the chemistry taking off. 

Hopefully we can pin this depth chart if it hasn't already been done.

[Unsympathetic]

Jerome Ford will be KR full-time this season -- he was 6th in the NFL in return distance last season.  DPJ did punt returns the second half of last season.. and given the other WR's, could do that this season also.  Given these two roles, Grant has no roster spot.. I wouldn’t take him over Bell or Goodwin for WR6.

I wouldn’t roster Phillips this season even on his rookie deal.. every snap he takes is a snap that could go to someone who doesn’t suck.. For this reason Fields should be listed as a lock.  Any other LB who’s been doing well in practice would be decent to try as well.  Phillips is an athlete who just isn’t good at football.

[Flugel]

@unsympathetic said:

Jerome Ford will be KR full-time this season -- he was 6th in the NFL in return distance last season.  DPJ did punt returns the second half of last season.. and given the other WR's, could do that this season also.  Given these two roles, Grant has no roster spot.. I wouldn’t take him over Bell or Goodwin for WR6.

I wouldn’t roster Phillips this season even on his rookie deal.. every snap he takes is a snap that could go to someone who doesn’t suck.. For this reason Fields should be listed as a lock.  Any other LB who’s been doing well in practice would be decent to try as well.  Phillips is an athlete who just isn’t good at football.

Great point about Phillips and giving others a shot!  The next time I see text book form tackle from him will be the first time.  On top of being a bad tackler, experience hasn't made him more instinctive at all. With a guy like this - there's a short window where he either develops or the bad habits become permanent.  I'd like to see what Schwartz can get out of JOK if he can stay healthy and Fields.  

When Andy Reid was asked about the big play Nick Bolton made in the Super Bowl - he said that's why we drafted him. We thought he was the best tackler we saw on film; and he has a great nose for the football.  Sometimes the Browns get caught up drafting athletes they think we can develop into good football players; and it doesn't always work.  

[gumby73]

Jakeem Grant Sr.

It's just not in my ? DNA to not pull for a player like WR/ST'er Jakeem Grant...

a.) was to make 3.5M in 2023.. Takes a pay cut to 1.76M in Feb. 2023, just to be able to still get a camp invite 

b.) Grant has been in the building all off season, rehabbing his 2nd (same) tore Achilles since last camp.. 

https://www.si.com/nfl/browns/browns-maven-features/jakeem-grant-interview-on-achilles-recovery

c.) In May.. new Kick-off rule...The NFL safety ?‍️ fairy's, now allow fair catches on kickoffs to be given the 25 yard line..(Bubba Vetrone ain't happy)

Would It not shock anyone in the least? NOT seeing Jakeem Grant Sr. fair catch a damn ball all training camp.  ?

1) at age 30, ya just hope Grant's wheels have a full camp left giving him a chance

2.) I'm not really sold yet, on watching our RB2 Jerome Ford return kicks, with only Felton behind him ? 

More on the Depth Chart 

DT-- It's been since 2019 thru 2020 we saw Ogun with Shelton Richardson at DT.. Is Tomlinson & __________ any better of a upgrade?

LB--reports say Taki will start season on PUP... Anthony Walker visited the Commanders before signing back with us in 2023.. 

CLE

Anthony Walker

---Left knee quad tendon--

on Sept. 22....  I'm no doctor... But, A. Walk needs to be running

& tackling to not add a body this close to camp?

Any FA ILB left? Is Kyle Van Noy worth a FA visit ?

Feels like were going into Training Camp with what we got? like most..  But, the plane ain't loaded to West Virginia yet ! 

Happy Fathers Day Weekend  !   ?

[Dutch Oven]

@flugel said:

Great point about Phillips and giving others a shot!  The next time I see text book form tackle from him will be the first time.  On top of being a bad tackler, experience hasn't made him more instinctive at all. With a guy like this - there's a short window where he either develops or the bad habits become permanent.  I'd like to see what Schwartz can get out of JOK if he can stay healthy and Fields.  

When Andy Reid was asked about the big play Nick Bolton made in the Super Bowl - he said that's why we drafted him. We thought he was the best tackler we saw on film; and he has a great nose for the football.  Sometimes the Browns get caught up drafting athletes they think we can develop into good football players; and it doesn't always work.  

The Browns seemingly made some shrewd roster moves this offseason, but the LB unit pretty much is a "God I hope the starters can stay healthy" situation once again. 

[Westside Steve]

@dutch-oven said:

The Browns seemingly made some shrewd roster moves this offseason, but the LB unit pretty much is a "God I hope the starters can stay healthy" situation once again. 

No kidding but it's always that way. I forget who but some sports pundit said that starting players who have been banged up are probably still better than second stringers. No doubt there's still some crapshoot involved. And like always something that looks shrewd on paper before the season starts.. well you get the idea.

Like the Old Hockey joke: what do the Maple Leaves have in common with the titanic? They both look great until they hit the ice.

WSS

[Flugel]

@dutch-oven said:

The Browns seemingly made some shrewd roster moves this offseason, but the LB unit pretty much is a "God I hope the starters can stay healthy" situation once again. 

Hopefully all of the offseason moves upfront protects them way better than last year.  The only good news about last year was we got to see the alternative to Phillips was an upgrade.  I just read JOK spent a lot of time in the weight room (where he added weight and muscle) so he doesn't get bullied by TEs. I don't know if any of this will make you feel any better about the depth but here's a few thoughts. The arrival of Za'Darius Smith as an OLB pushes a very reliable Taki Taki to a backup UNLESS Smith is going to line up exclusively in a 3 point on the edge all year per Gumbs' depth chart.  Taki Taki can also be the 1st one off the bench in the Middle. This team has a rarely mentioned backup OLB (Jordan Kunaszyk) that played in all but 2 games last year.  He's 6'3" 235lbs and he's been in the league since 2019.  He's a great open field tackler and very reliable on STs.  Also, Tony Fields got a lot of experience behind a bad situation upfront last year.  If the DL improves the way we hope/think it can - he could look a lot better.  We're gonna find out pretty soon what we have here...

Let me preface this, by saying trust the depth chart more than my fluent jibberish thinking out-loud here.  I can't help but thinking we didn't bring Ogbo Okoronko, Isaiah McGuire, and Lonnie Phelps here to watch 1 guy (that can also play OLB) play their position all year.  

[Dutch Oven]

@flugel said:

Hopefully all of the offseason moves upfront protects them way better than last year.  The only good news about last year was we got to see the alternative to Phillips was an upgrade.  I just read JOK spent a lot of time in the weight room (where he added weight and muscle) so he doesn't get bullied by TEs. I don't know if any of this will make you feel any better about the depth but here's a few thoughts. The arrival of Za'Darius Smith as an OLB pushes a very reliable Taki Taki to a backup UNLESS Smith is going to line up exclusively in a 3 point on the edge all year per Gumbs' depth chart.  Taki Taki can also be the 1st one off the bench in the Middle. This team has a rarely mentioned backup OLB (Jordan Kunaszyk) that played in all but 2 games last year.  He's 6'3" 235lbs and he's been in the league since 2019.  He's a great open field tackler and very reliable on STs.  Also, Tony Fields got a lot of experience behind a bad situation upfront last year.  If the DL improves the way we hope/think it can - he could look a lot better.  We're gonna find out pretty soon what we have here...

Let me preface this, by saying trust the depth chart more than my fluent jibberish thinking out-loud here.  I can't help but thinking we didn't bring Ogbo Okoronko, Isaiah McGuire, and Lonnie Phelps here to watch 1 guy (that can also play OLB) play their position all year.  

Yeah, that's the hope, that the DLine keeps the LBs "clean" and less prone to get the crap kicked out of them. I'm not sure when Takitaki will be healthy enough to play at a high level. Hopefully the entire unit has much better health, and if not, the LB unit is a deeper one than last year.

I know they took JOK with a high second rounder, but it still feels like this front office kind of looks at the LBs as "something we'll get to later...." 

[gumby73]

@flugel said:

This team has a rarely mentioned backup OLB (Jordan Kunaszyk) that played in all but 2 games last year.  He's 6'3" 235lbs and he's been in the league since 2019.  He's a great open field tackler and very reliable on STs. 

Living in Carolina, you can see why Jim Schwartz maybe the perfect coach for a Jordan Kunaszyk..

https://theriotreport.com/why-the-panthers-kept-udfa-jordan-kunaszyk-on-the-roster/  definition of NFL underdog

JK became a film rat from Luke... I can also tell ya.. From my Week 1 seats at Carolina. Jordan's not running ST lanes at 4.8's anymore, being the 3rd guy down

Kutz is a guy I'd like to see get his chance,with some help from this D-front keeping him clean.. Jordan's no Luke.. but his background & work ethic is what Schwartz see's he can work with. 

[tiamat63]

 Having my #2 back return kicks isn't an idea I'm thrilled about.  PR maybe, easier job protecting yourself.   And while the KR game isn't what it was compared to  even 10 years ago, it's still shots you're taking while playing a position that has a short shelf life.  While you're still going to be counted on for meaningful minutes behind Chubb.

Jacob Phillips has special teams value, that's it.   I've never seen a linebacker more out of place for his run keys and zone drop landmarks at the professional level.   He's out there basically just seeing what's in front of him, but not processing or understanding it.     He'd be the first LB I'd cut.

 JoK putting on weight isn't a bad thing, but it depends on how much.  His frame isn't going to be a natural 230lbs.   Which is right about the size of Roquan Smith, who was blessed to go from a Chicago team with the IDL to keep him free, and now plays in Baltimore where he enjoys that same luxury.   Yes, a bigger key to the health of the 2nd level is by having a quality line in front of them.  After all, LB's are just RB's but without the ball.  They too tend to have a short(er) shelf life.  

 Going back to Young JOK himself though, it isn't so much his physical size he needs to improve, but his off-ball consistency.   Nobody is going to deny he's great at "see ball, get ball".  But when he's the weakside fill man, or in the passing game, he's found himself out of place quite a bit for a guy with his athletic abilities.  That lead, most famously, to some frustration I pointed out with Johnny J3.   There are good reasons you didn't see him on the field in our nickel and dime situations at times last season.  Some as early as week 1 where you'd think you'd want an athlete of his caliber out there.   What you see him do is, in a sense, no different than seeing these young iso ballers in the NBA who don't know how to plays as a team yet.  Sure, you can run some highlights yourself, but the off-ball work that a coach like Pop would preach for half court offensive efficiency just escapes them.         Run fits and finding/choking throwing lanes are about selflessness and understanding, then playing, your role as a LB.  

 To speak to @gumby73's question about D.T. being an upgrade over Jobi or Richardson...? Well, yes.   And given my belief that Ika takes over the shade as a rookie, sooner rather than later, I think you see Dalvin really excel this season as an interior rusher getting more looks at 3tech.   It was a role I was hoping Perrion would take over this season, but he needs to work on getting his head straight.  But the key to unlocking the pass rush isn't having another pro-bowler *across* from Myles, it's about having a interior push next to him.   Dealing with a 3/4 tech and a primo edge rusher on the same side is an absolute bitch for every OL and coach.   My prime example has been to point at Leonard Floyd, who was a solid pass rusher before he got to the Rams.  But when paired with Aaron Donald, he started netting double digit sacks while he was in L.A.

[Flugel]

@gumby73 said:

Living in Carolina, you can see why Jim Schwartz maybe the perfect coach for a Jordan Kunaszyk..

https://theriotreport.com/why-the-panthers-kept-udfa-jordan-kunaszyk-on-the-roster/  definition of NFL underdog

JK became a film rat from Luke... I can also tell ya.. From my Week 1 seats at Carolina. Jordan's not running ST lanes at 4.8's anymore, being the 3rd guy down

Kutz is a guy I'd like to see get his chance,with some help from this D-front keeping him clean.. Jordan's no Luke.. but his background & work ethic is what Schwartz see's he can work with. 

Great job with the picture of him and good points Gumbs! 

When the length of the average play from scrimmage doesn't exceed 4 seconds - you need guys that can always get themselves into position to make the tackle (and they don't always have to be fast like a Tedy Bruschi who beat a lot of faster foot speeds into his hook zones).  In order to do that and anticipate what's coming, you have to be well prepared and possess an experience volume to play with a reliable 1st step instinct that gets you to the tackle.  JMO, I don't think he'll stay 3rd on the depth chart but I could be wrong about that.  He played in all but 2 games last year so the Browns appreciated what he brought to this team behind a weak interior line up front. 

[Flugel]

@tiamat63 said:

 Having my #2 back return kicks isn't an idea I'm thrilled about.  PR maybe, easier job protecting yourself.   And while the KR game isn't what it was compared to  even 10 years ago, it's still shots you're taking while playing a position that has a short shelf life.  While you're still going to be counted on for meaningful minutes behind Chubb.

Jacob Phillips has special teams value, that's it.   I've never seen a linebacker more out of place for his run keys and zone drop landmarks at the professional level.   He's out there basically just seeing what's in front of him, but not processing or understanding it.     He'd be the first LB I'd cut.

 JoK putting on weight isn't a bad thing, but it depends on how much.  His frame isn't going to be a natural 230lbs.   Which is right about the size of Roquan Smith, who was blessed to go from a Chicago team with the IDL to keep him free, and now plays in Baltimore where he enjoys that same luxury.   Yes, a bigger key to the health of the 2nd level is by having a quality line in front of them.  After all, LB's are just RB's but without the ball.  They too tend to have a short(er) shelf life.  

 Going back to Young JOK himself though, it isn't so much his physical size he needs to improve, but his off-ball consistency.   Nobody is going to deny he's great at "see ball, get ball".  But when he's the weakside fill man, or in the passing game, he's found himself out of place quite a bit for a guy with his athletic abilities.  That lead, most famously, to some frustration I pointed out with Johnny J3.   There are good reasons you didn't see him on the field in our nickel and dime situations at times last season.  Some as early as week 1 where you'd think you'd want an athlete of his caliber out there.   What you see him do is, in a sense, no different than seeing these young iso ballers in the NBA who don't know how to plays as a team yet.  Sure, you can run some highlights yourself, but the off-ball work that a coach like Pop would preach for half court offensive efficiency just escapes them.         Run fits and finding/choking throwing lanes are about selflessness and understanding, then playing, your role as a LB.  

 To speak to @gumby73's question about D.T. being an upgrade over Jobi or Richardson...? Well, yes.   And given my belief that Ika takes over the shade as a rookie, sooner rather than later, I think you see Dalvin really excel this season as an interior rusher getting more looks at 3tech.   It was a role I was hoping Perrion would take over this season, but he needs to work on getting his head straight.  But the key to unlocking the pass rush isn't having another pro-bowler *across* from Myles, it's about having a interior push next to him.   Dealing with a 3/4 tech and a primo edge rusher on the same side is an absolute bitch for every OL and coach.   My prime example has been to point at Leonard Floyd, who was a solid pass rusher before he got to the Rams.  But when paired with Aaron Donald, he started netting double digit sacks while he was in L.A.

Good news for you - bad news for me. The bad news for me is I made an assumption and provided wrong info off the following statement: "JOK hit the offseason weight room so he can take on tight ends better this year."  This is in the Browns roster section in Lindy's Pro Football Preview 2023 where they give the height and weights and a quick comment about each guy. JOK's height and weight remained the same 6'2" 221lbs it was last year so nobody has to worry if he put on too much weight.  Sorry for the misinformation on my part.

One thing we should ALL know is it's very common for Professional Football players starting in a front 7 to hit the weight room in the off season.  My first thought was why is this even worthy of mention?  Then came the thought they probably wanted him to add about 5lbs to his frame or something; or there's ZERO need to point that out.    It was the type of sports writer stuff you've warned us about and rightfully so.