The 53: Player, Roster, & Acquisitions Talk

[Mind Character]

Projecting out the 53 is really really hard this year based on the acquired talent.....

Who do we cut?

I think it comes down to:

1. Carl Nassib,

2. Carrying 9 OL instead of 10 like we have the past 2-3 years,

3. or trading away one of the LBs to make room for Kendricks (which would be ridiculously stupid b/c Jamie Collins and Christian Kirksey are far superior players based on the film compared to Kendricks... those on this forum that downplay Collins b/c of injury and perceived minimal impact haven't really watch the film closely... his impact was solid to very good in the run and pass despite no major splash plays).

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I think the best option would be releasing Donald Stephenson instead of Carl Nassib...

[sdrawkcab321]

Stephenson should he cut. He’s terrible. You shoudnt need more than 7-9 OLmen anyway. Once a few of them get hurt you’re better off signing someone off the PS anyway. They’ll all be terrible at that point. 

[Mind Character]

1 hour ago, Mind Character said:

***UPDATED 6/3/18 W/ Mychal Kendricks Signing****

 

What the Roster Is Vs. Isn't:

The good news is that we have thoroughly uplifted the talent and within-position competition for this roster in ways that will have us compete and stay in ball games throughout the entirety of the season. However, those that expect this team to strongly compete for 7-8 wins given our grueling schedule will be in for a rude awakening come the start of the season.

I expect this team to be a 5-6 win team, and if we do so given our schedule so long as we compete in games and young players play well, it will be an enjoyable and fruitful season. If a lot of things come to fruition (Myles and Ogbah stay healthy, Coleman and Hubbard play well, Ogunjobi and Brantley/Coley elevate their game, Denzel Ward plays like the number 4 pick, our other CBs play well, Jabrill takes another step as a SS, Damarious Randall plays well at FS, Josh Gordon stays clean and healthy, David Njoku stays healthy and has improved... then I could definitely see this team being an 8-win team no question...

Roster Weakness/Question Marks:

DT/NT: As much as I love Larry Ogunobi, we still need a force up the middle that can provide both stout run stuffing power, but also provide a serious pass rushing threat. This will likely be the direction we go in next year's draft, but the combo of Trevon Coley and Jamie Meder did not get it done last year. In an ideal scenario, Brantley steps up as he is the ideal NT who is a better run stuffer than pass rusher, but provides enough juice in the pass rush to be a serious wrecking force against potent offenses. We really need Larry and Caleb to step up.

TE: Count me as one of the individuals that hopes we can target a UDFA or veteran cut from another team to bring in another pass catching TE as I don't really believe in DeValve's impact in the event that Njoku goes down for a bit. Seth is serviceable, but he lacks any quick twitch and quick/explosive route running ability. There will be someone available by the time of 53-man roster cuts... hopefully this somebody has longer term starter upside. Daniel Fells was a really good signing... better than most understand... he does it all and does it at a solid level.

LT/OL: Hopefully, UDFA Desmond Harrison can prove to be a viable option as he has all the traits one desires in a developmental LT with potential pro-bowl upside. The only question is will he work at it. I don't think Austin Corbett has the kick step athleticism to deal with pass rushers off the edge (Just watch the tape of him versus Myles Garrett in college); however, Corbett has pro-bowl ability at center or guard and likely can replace Tretter if he doesn't elevate his game or can replace Zeitler if his game falls off a cliff. Our line becomes a different force if both Chris Hubbard can hold it down on the right-side and Spencer Drango can prove to be an even better guard via skills development between last season and this one. Can Shon Coleman prove to be the LT of the future? I like his grit and toughness, but I ultimately think he's too stiff hipped and stiff in the ankles to move how he needs to in order to be effective. It will be interesting to see if a player falls off another roster that can help us here.

FS: No more King Kai Nacua... who's going to be a viable FS2 if Randall struggles or goes down for some time? Is it BBC? Is it Currie? This is a position where we need to target other teams' rosters and UDFA pool to create impact depth. UDFA Elijah Campbell from Northern Iowa has long-term starter impact based on his tape... he's a willing and forceful tackler and has natural ball skills. If he's a relentless worker he could be a really good player at FS if Randall doesn't make the impact we expect.

DE: I liked the Chris Smith signing as it gives us some juice and edge-setting strength, but Carl Nassib/Nate Orchard types have proven ineffective at creating a force and/or steady production off the edge. Is there a veteran that can help us here? I'd say a late camp addition Free Agent or late roster cut due to salary demands may help us boost the position's strength. Outside of additions, our defense's success all really comes down to 1. Can Myles and Emmanuel stay healthy? and 2. Can Ogbah raise his level of play as a  pass rusher? ... if those things happen, there's outside chance that this defense is a special one and we truly win 7 games. We'll see what we have with Chad Thomas... he's a power player whose pass rushing impact may be limited. He will provide good depth and has the hands and powerful punch to kick inside to provide length and burst in the interior pass rush.

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The First 54 Projection (With the Addition of Mychal Kendricks The Last cut comes down to Carl Nassib or an OLineman)

**** As talent falls off other rosters, I expect the bottom of our roster to look much different and the defensive and offensive number of players kept to more equalize. Until then, this is an exercise to give a picture of what our roster could look like based on the best talent that I see on the roster at this time.****

The Browns 53-man roster breaks down as follows:

Offense (26)

Quarterbacks (3):

QB: Tyrod Taylor // Drew Stanton // Baker Mayfield

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Running Backs (3):

RB: Carlos Hyde // Nick Chubb // Duke Johnson // Practice Squad: Matthew Dayes

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Fullback (1):

FB: Danny Vitale;

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Wide Receivers (6):

WR1: Josh Gordon // Antonio Callaway

WR2: Corey Coleman // Jeff Janis // Damion Ratley

Slot-WR: Jarvis Landry // (Duke Johnson)

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Tight Ends (3):

TE: David Njoku // Daniel Fells // Seth DeValve

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Offensive Linemen (10):

LT: Shon Coleman // Desmond Harrison

LG: Joel Bitonio // Austin Corbett

C: J.C. Tretter // Austin Reiter

RG: Kevin Zeitler // Spencer Drango

RT: Chris Hubbard // Donald Stephenson

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Defense (25)

Defensive linemen (9):

DE: Myles Garrett // Chris Smith

NT: Trevon Coley // Jamie Meder

DT: Larry Ogunjobi // Caleb Brantley

DE: Emmanuel Ogbah // Chad Thomas // Carl Nassib

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Linebackers (6):

SLB: Christian Kirksey // Mychal Kendricks

MLB: Joe Schobert // Genard Avery

WLB: Jamie Collins Sr. // James Burgess 

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Corner Backs (6):

CB: Denzel Ward // Terrance Mitchell

CB: T.J. Carrie // E.J. Gaines // Howard Wilson // Practice Squad: Simeon Thomas

NCB: Briean Boddy-Calhoun

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Free Safeties (2):

FS: Damarious Randall // Elijah Campbell // (Briean Boddy-Calhoun)

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Strong Safeties (2):

SS: Jabrill Peppers // Derrick Kindred

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Specialists (3)

Kicker (1): Zane Gonzalez; 

Punter (1):Britton Colquitt;

Long snapper (1):Charley Hughlett

Names that will be on the borderline to make the 53

1. RT Donald Stephenson (he's not a good player and has underachieve whenever called to start throughout his entire career)

2. DE Carl Nassib (with Chris Smith and Chad Thomas being in the 2-deep of the DE depth chart there may not be room for a 3rd DE that's not a practice squad player)

3. C Austin Reiter (if Shon Coleman and Desmond Harrison prove worthy at LT; we might try Austin Corbett as a full OL swing in the Center to the Tackle position.. thus making Reiter a redundant piece on the roster that can be replaced by a practice squad player if necessary.

4. Trading Collins/Kirksey or cutting LB James Burgess or LB Genard Avery (highly unlikely imo as Burgess showed out in spots last year and Avery has longterm upside)

2 UDFA's make the 53 this year (both have long-term pro-bowl upside)

1. LT Desmond Harriosn

2. FS Elijah Campell

[candyman93]

How does the 3rd QB rule work? Does he count against the 53 man roster or is that only if he plays on game day? What I mean is can he be the 54th guy?

[sdrawkcab321]

38 minutes ago, candyman93 said:

How does the 3rd QB rule work? Does he count against the 53 man roster or is that only if he plays on game day? What I mean is can he be the 54th guy?

Still counts on the 53. But you can only dress 46  per game. 

[buno67]

7 hours ago, Mind Character said:

 

3. C Austin Reiter (if Shon Coleman and Desmond Harrison prove worthy at LT; we might try Austin Corbett as a full OL swing in the Center to the Tackle position.. thus making Reiter a redundant piece on the roster that can be replaced by a practice squad player if necessary.

I think that would be a down right stupid move to make him a swing Center tackle. Such vastly different positions I believe you would screwe up his technique. Maybe from season to season but no way in hell would do that in season have him go from Center to tackle or tackle to Center. You can have guys go tackle to guard or guard to Center. 

[FEARtheELF]

@Mind Character I agree with a lot of the 53-man roster. The two moves I would like to see if instead of keepings Stephenson, add another DT, preferable one with some experience to help the young guys. Hankins is still an ideal last piece to the DT room. He can play at a high level and be a leader for Ogunjobi, Coley and Brantley. If he does not get the long term deal he is looking for maybe he can be persuaded to come here in a deal similar to Kendricks.

Also, Nassib would be one that we could move on from. I would like to replace him with a speed rusher that might be available after cuts. A true speed rusher is something I think we need to add to the DE room.

[Kiwibrown]

With Tyrod we probably won’t have the worst qb in the division. 

Yes!

[candyman93]

Quote

That begs the question: Why did Cleveland move Shelton? Shelton played the second-most snaps among defensive tackles for the Browns last year behind Trevon Coley. Despite playing nearly 200 reps fewer than Coley, Shelton finished with only one tackle at or behind the line fewer. Despite being a hulking nose tackle, Shelton was making plays in the backfield.

 

WOW.

 

Coley played a LOT of snaps more than I thought.

[buno67]

21 hours ago, sdrawkcab321 said:

Stephenson should he cut. He’s terrible. You shoudnt need more than 7-9 OLmen anyway. Once a few of them get hurt you’re better off signing someone off the PS anyway. They’ll all be terrible at that point. 

He prolly will but you need the bodies for OTAs workouts and to begin training camp

[buno67]

21 hours ago, Mind Character said:

DT/NT: As much as I love Larry Ogunobi, we still need a force up the middle that can provide both stout run stuffing power, but also provide a serious pass rushing threat. This will likely be the direction we go in next year's draft, but the combo of Trevon Coley and Jamie Meder did not get it done last year. In an ideal scenario, Brantley steps up as he is the ideal NT who is a better run stuffer than pass rusher, but provides enough juice in the pass rush to be a serious wrecking force against potent offenses. We really need Larry and Caleb to step up.

I completely feel that Obunjobi describes what exactly you are looking for. He is the ideal penetrating 1T you want. Played limited snaps but when he was in he was making a difference. Coaches/Dorsey made sure to get him in the field more. 

just watching him he looked good and the stats back up what I saw. OBun Coley and brantley should be a solid trio

[Hunter2_1]

On 30/04/2018 at 7:33 PM, Mind Character said:

Linebackers (5):

SLB: Christian Kirksey

MLB: Joe Schobert // Genard Avery

WLB: Jamie Collins Sr. // James Burgess 

That is up there. That is well up there.

 

Looking at the OL, it's a massive shame J Thomas isn't still around for these next two seasons. 

[MSURacerDT55]

On ‎6‎/‎4‎/‎2018 at 12:58 AM, Mind Character said:

2. DE Carl Nassib (with Chris Smith and Chad Thomas being in the 2-deep of the DE depth chart there may not be room for a 3rd DE that's not a practice squad player)

I don't see how Nate Orchard gets a pass over Nassib, at least he made a few plays and can give you reps at DT, Orchard has done literally nothing to live up to being a 2nd round pick.

[CBrownsman]

14 hours ago, buno67 said:

I completely feel that Obunjobi describes what exactly you are looking for. He is the ideal penetrating 1T you want. Played limited snaps but when he was in he was making a difference. Coaches/Dorsey made sure to get him in the field more. 

just watching him he looked good and the stats back up what I saw. OBun Coley and brantley should be a solid trio

The interesting thing about this draft class run stop percentage is if you look just past Jonathan Allen, Caleb Brantley also seemed very good at stoppping the run.

I personally am rooting for Ogunjobi and Brantley on the same line, I was never a big fan of Coley...

 

[Mind Character]

18 hours ago, MSURacerDT55 said:

I don't see how Nate Orchard gets a pass over Nassib, at least he made a few plays and can give you reps at DT, Orchard has done literally nothing to live up to being a 2nd round pick.

Not sure what would make you think I gave Orchard a pass.... I didn't... I had Chris Smith and Myles Garrett on one side and Ogbah and Chad Thomas on the other. That's 4 DEs total at the 53 man cut down.

I didn't even factor Orchard in as someone who could make the roster, but instead put Nassib on the bubble but as a possible roster cut...

With the Kendricks signing, I just saw the 3-man bubble as being Nassib, one of the OL (Donald Stephenson) assuming we keep 9 (the 10th is cut); over 70 percent of the league carries 9 OLs at the 53... we've carried 10 for consecutive years, or trading/cutting one of Collins, Kirksey, Burgess, or Avery.