Chris Pokorny@DawgsByNature 2-3 minutes
Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com projected the starting lineups for every team in the league. Let’s see what he listed out for the Cleveland Browns and how close to reality we think it will be come Week 1, starting with the offense:
QB: Baker Mayfield RB: Nick Chubb WR: Odell Beckham Jr. WR: Jarvis Landry WR: Antonio Callaway TE: David Njoku LT: Greg Robinson LG: Joel Bitonio C: JC Tretter RG: Austin Corbett RT: Chris Hubbard
On offense, the position that will face the most competition is at right guard. There is no doubt that as of today, Austin Corbett is the favorite to win the starting job, simply based on his draft status from a year ago. However, if he isn’t sharp, the team could turn to rookie Drew Forbes or veteran Bryan Witzmann. All other spots are pretty much locked in.
Here is how he projects things defensively:
DE: Myles Garrett DT: Sheldon Richardson DT: Larry Ogunjobi DE: Olivier Vernon OLB: Genard Avery MLB: Joe Schobert OLB: Christian Kirksey CB: Denzel Ward CB: Greedy Williams S: Damarious Randall S: Morgan Burnett
The front four is set. At linebacker, we know the team likes Genard Avery, but that role might be more of a rotational one as opposed to an every-down starter type of role. Somewhere, draft picks Sione Takitaki and Mack Wilson could get some playing time.
The starting roles that are the most up-in-the-air are at cornerback and strong safety. The one change that I would’ve made to Rosenthal’s list is that I think Terrance Mitchell is still the favorite to start at cornerback over rookie Greedy Williams. I wouldn’t complain at all if Williams earned the starting role — and Rosenthal notes that Williams vs. Mitchell is his only debatable spot out of 22 slots. At strong safety, Morgan Burnett is the favorite to replace Jabrill Peppers, but Cleveland could go a few directions with that spot.
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If you had to place bets on the Browns’ Week 1 starting lineup, what modifications would you make to Rosenthal’s choices?
I think Mitchell will start for a while as Williams is learning the defense. How long has it been since the Browns have been in this situation, where they have more starters than questions for who will be starters. The other changes could be in our kicking game also. jmho