The Cleveland Browns wrapped up their offseason program last week with a mandatory minicamp and the last three of their 13 spring practices. Because so many of the team’s best and most experienced players were mostly absent from the optional (and instruction-based) practices for various reasons, it was hard to gauge much in terms of positional progress or potential roster sleepers.
Even in a controlled environment, there was football. And there will be more competitive football starting in late July when the Browns reconvene for training camp. It would be difficult and disingenuous to give a projection on the team’s initial 53-man roster based on the six open practices in May and June. But what follows is a mix of observations, educated guesses and potentially crowded roadways on the path to Cleveland navigating training camp and three preseason games before trimming its roster.
This is going to be a hard roster to make. The Browns basically return the entire top of the roster from last year’s 11-win team, plus a bunch of players in the middle and lower tiers who were pressed into action last season by various injuries. The defensive tackle and cornerback groups are especially deep. There’s a rare case of having six offensive line starters (plus top backups at guard and tackle) who will likely return, and the running back group has returnees and new players who have significant experience.
