The Cleveland Browns got down to the 53 man roster needed to open the season, but as coach Kevin Stefanski said, it’s really but first 53, not the final 53.
That’s pretty obvious when you consider the Browns have just two running backs on the current roster and four quarterbacks.
There weren’t many surprises among the players cut on Tuesday. DT Siaki Ika was a third round pick a year ago, so that may raise an eyebrow, but it was pretty clear to most Browns’ observers that he was not going to make the team.
We were a bit surprised that RB D’Onta Foreman was let go given the state of the running game without Nick Chubb. He had three consecutive seasons of 400 or more rushing yards, and frankly we aren’t impressed with the running game right now.
It is easy to be spoiled by Chubb, but we aren’t impressed by Jerome Ford last season even though he gained 813 yards. He still seems hesitant hitting a hole. We know the NFL has become a passing league, but you still have to run the football if you want to be a good team, and we think the Browns are just that.
By all reports, Foreman will be re-signed after the team makes a decision on the quarterbacks, but even still, three running backs seems a little light.
The four quarterbacks are interesting to be sure, but it’s only because GM Andrew Berry values all four of them and didn’t want to let any of them go without getting something in return.
What is curious is that according to reports, both Jameis Winston and Tyler Huntley are the name bandied about on the trade rumors. We get it, quarterbacks have value in the league and if you can pick up a draft pick because your organization had the foresight to sign a veteran, that’s a good thing.
We are surprised Winston’s name is being discussed only based on what happened to Cleveland a year ago. If Deshaun Watson has to miss time this season, wouldn’t you want Winston to be the next guy up? He’s a veteran starter with 80 NFL starts under his belt.
Compare that to Huntley’s nine and Dorian Thompson-Robinson’s three. And that’s why it was later reported Cleveland has no interest in moving Winston. But they will not open with four QBs, so either Huntley (probably) or Thompson-Robinson will be traded. NOTE: Huntley was released this morning.
Otherwise, it’s a normal looking roster. An NFL team can never have enough linemen and defensive backs, and the Browns are no exception, carrying 10 on the offensive line, nine on the defensive side, and 11 defensive backs.
One surprise is not all of the draft picks made the roster, as 7th round DT Jowon Briggs was cut, but was added to the practice squad.
And of course, second rounder Michael Hall Jr. is on the Commissioner’s exempt list.
It would be a surprise if there aren’t plenty of roster movement before the Browns take the field on September 8th to take on Dallas. As Stefanski said, it’s not the final 53.
Cleveland Sports Perspective 