Each year before training camp, I like to distill the conventional wisdom by projecting the team’s Opening Day roster. Given all the variables, it would be foolhardy to call this a prediction. Rather, the main purpose is to later look back and assess the nature and degree of surprises that each summer yields. It also helps identify some of the key roster battles to come.
As I write, 82 names are listed on the active roster, including the as-yet-unsigned draft picks. In five days, a maximum of 80 will suit up. Inevitably, players will get hurt and a few late imports will be signed or acquired in trade, but here’s a reasonable estimate of the baseline lineup. Remember, ultimately 53 men make the active roster, and eight more can be added to the practice squad (if eligible) after clearing waivers.
QB
Starter: Derek Anderson
Backups: Brady Quinn, Ken Dorsey
RB
Starter: Jamal Lewis
Backups: Jason Wright, Jerome Harrison
Practice squad: Austin Scott
Also-rans: Travis Thomas
FB
Starter: Lawrence Vickers
Backup: Charles Ali
WR
Starters: Braylon Edwards, Donte Stallworth
Backups: Joshua Cribbs, Travis Wilson, Kevin Kasper
Practice squad: Paul Hubbard
PUP: Joe Jurevicius
Also-rans: Steve Sanders, Syndric Steptoe, Efrem Hill, Lance Leggett
TE
Starter: Kellen Winslow
Backups: Steve Heiden, Martin Rucker
Practice squad: Kolomona Kapanui
Also-rans: Darnell Dinkins, Brad Cieslak
OL
Starters: Joe Thomas, Eric Steinbach, Hank Fraley, Rex Hadnot, Kevin Shaffer
Backups: Ryan Tucker, Seth McKinney, Lennie Friedman, Isaac Sowells
Practice squad: Cliff Louis
Reserve NFI: Eric Young
Also-rans: Nate Bennett, James Lee, Derrick Morse, Marvin Philip
DL
Starters: Shaun Rogers, Corey Williams, Robarie Smith
Backups: Shaun Smith, Melila Purcell, Ahtyba Rubin
Also-rans: Louis Leonard, Chase Pittman, Brian Shaefering, Zach West
ILB
Starters: D’Qwell Jackson, Andra Davis
Backups: Beau Bell, Leon Williams, Kris Griffin
OLB
Starters: Kamerion Wimbley, Antwan Peek
Backups: Willie McGinest, Shantee Orr
Practice squad: Alex Hall, Chase Ortiz
Also-rans: David McMillan
CB
Starters: Eric Wright, Brandon McDonald
Backups: Terry Cousin, Jereme Perry, A.J. Davis
Practice squad: Mil’von James, Damon Jenkins
Also-rans: Gerald Lawson
IR: Daven Holly
S
Starters: Sean Jones, Brodney Pool
Backups: Mike Adams, Nick Sorensen, Steve Cargile
Also-rans: Gary Baxter, Justin Sandy
Specialists
K: Phil Dawson
P: Dave Zastudil
LS: Ryan Pontbriand
Also-ran: K Jason Reda
In making some of the tougher assessments, I weighed heavily the player’s potential to contribute on special teams this season. That factor helped Ali, Griffin, and Cargile in particular. Even so, improved depth threatens the Browns careers of Dinkins and McMillan, who each played in 15 games last season.
Offensive lineman are the team’s biggest potential luxury. If Tucker proves healthy and Sowells is deemed a viable backup at two positions, I could see someone like Friedman or McKinney being dealt in a gambit to shore up the weakest position: cornerback.
The closest calls at this point are the final two slots on the defensive line and at wide receiver. In each case, the team will almost certainly cut bait with one or more of its former draft picks.
