Training camp is wrapped up, the preseason is in the books for the Browns, and that means some tough decisions are on the horizon for the front office.
Some players have made things easy, while others have made it difficult for the team to decide what they do with them.
The Cleveland Browns will have some tough decisions to make over the weekend before Sunday's deadline at 6 p.m. EST. There are ways the team may work its way down to 53, whether through releasing players or trading them. Either is an option for the Browns and Andrew Berry as he looks to have this roster in the best shape it can be in heading into the 2026 season.
So who's in and who's out? Here are our final predictions for who will make the Browns' 53-man roster.
Quarterback (4)
- Deshaun Watson
- Shedeur Sanders
- Dillon Gabriel
- Taylen Green
The Browns are
sticking with Deshaun Watson as their starter for Week 1, but the depth is there for competition to brew quickly. I imagine we see both Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel start at some point in 2026.
Running Backs (4)
- Quinshon Judkins
- Dylan Sampson
- Raheim Sanders
- Michael Burton (FB)
Quinshon Judkins, coming off of injury, is looking good, but it is the explosiveness of Dylan Sampson that should have fans' attention. Sanders also ran well in the preseason, so the team has some depth at a valued position in Todd Monken's offense.
Wide Receivers (6)
- Jerry Jeudy
- Denzel Boston
- KC Concepcion
- Isaiah Bond
- Tylan Wallace
- Luke Floriea
The rookies really shined this preseason and look to be a major part of this offense in 2026 and beyond. A fun surprise was former UDFA Luke Floriea, who cannot be denied at this point as he has shown an affinity for the endzone and an ability to get open in various coverages.
Tight Ends (3)
- Harold Fanin Jr.
- Blake Whiteheart
- Carsen Ryan
Tight end was a quiet position for the team in the preseason. Harold Fanin Jr. is poised for a maybe season in 2026 and could be a major part of the offense in general.
Offensive Line (10)
- Spencer Fano (OT)
- Zion Johnson (G)
- Elgton Jenkins (C)
- Teven Jenkins (G)
- Tytus Howard (OT)
- Dawand Jones (OT)
- Zak Zinter (G)
- Parker Brailsford (C)
- Austin Barber (G/OT)
- KY Leveston (OT)
The offensive line got a much-needed overhaul during the offseason and has had some young players break out. Rookie Austin Barber has made the move from tackle to guard, and it has hidden a lot of the issues he had exposed through the draft process.
Defensive Line (7)
- Jared Verse
- Maliek Collins
- Mason Graham
- Mike Hall Jr.
- Isaiah McGuire
- Derek Barnett
- Adin Huntington
This group needs some juice and may have it in the health of Maliek Collins finally clearing up. Jared Verse will lead the way, but he needs a Robin to his Batman to emerge in 2026. Whether that is Collins, Mike Hall Jr., or a second-year breakout from Mason Graham, he needs something.
Linebacker (5)
- Carson Schwesinger
- Quincy Williams
- Justin Jefferson
- Winston Reid
- Easton Mascarenas-Arnold
Rookie Justin Jefferson made some splash plays in the preseason and will provide some needed depth. Free agent signing Quincy Williams will be the real shot in the arm for this defense, though, alongside reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Cornerback (7)
- Denzel Ward
- Tyson Campbell
- Myles Harden
- Mekhi Blackmon
- Tre Avery
- Michael Coats Jr.
- D'Angelo Ross
Cornerback is going to be the Achilles heel of the team's defense in 2026. They have two stars at the top but lack depth to be in a rotation or backup an injury. They claimed Melhi Blackmon off waivers, which will help, but I expect them to perhaps make another claim when other teams make their cuts.
Safety (4)
- Grant Delpit
- Ronnie Hickman
- Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
- Christopher Edmonds
Safety may be the team's deepest group talent wise after they drafted Emmanuel McNeil-Warren. Grant Delpit and Ronnie Hickman will lead the group, and it has them looking good heading into the regular season.
Special Teams 3)
- Andre Szmyt (K)
- Corey Bojorquez (P)
- Rex Sunahara (LS)
Both Szmyt and Bojorquez have looked solid this preseason and should carry that momentum into the regular season.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Projecting the Browns 53-man roster after their final preseason game
