Those are the big news items from yesterday. Anyone wanna take a crack at the 80 players that'll start training camp?
Probably best method is to start with the 53 man, then add 12-13 on each side of the ball, and a specialist or two (i.e. JoJo)
Also, Dorsey's fringe guys are likely gonna be let go. Davidson > Gilbert for a camp arm, for example.
And AJ Green is easily the betting favorite as the only UDFA with a shot.
I'd read something suggesting that Gilbert is probably safe, they like him, think he's high-end for a third QB and can grow into a backup. But that could indeed go by the wayside if "their guy" plays reasonably close.
I have always liked Garrett Gilbert. When given the opportunity at a professional level, he performed well. That gives him a leg up in my mind over most 3rd string QBs. To dismiss that success and production on a professional platform just because the former GM selected him is unintelligent and so not like Andrew Berry. In my mind, Davidson is going to have to play his ass off to unseat Gilbert.
It's already a crowed room. Not only would players need to be cut before camp begins, but then you have to allow for pretty extreme movement around the league in which the typical preseason movement is amplified by the hundreds of additional cuts around the league and teams jump on those players.
I wouldn't be shocked if teams who anticipate a losing season are willing to cut the fat and proceed with young talent in hopes of finding some rough diamonds before next year, while teams hoping to win prioritise cheap veterans as an insurance policy. That is true each year, but may well be heightened.
Personally, I only want to see Alex Taylor (OT) and AJ Green (CB) from our undrafted class stick around. I think both have genuine upside which reaches beyond those in front of them, be that Hubbard or Lamm for Taylor. I could see Johnson kept over Hilliard. Keeping Green and Tav Thomas at corner might make for a shock cut - be that Donnie Lewis (2019 draft pick) and Robert Jackson (Earned a shot last year) to sit behind Ward, Williams, Mitchell and Johnson.
I do think we'll end up with a decent handful of players who aren't currently on the roster, especially from Minnesota or Philly, but there is a lot of talent already on the team who could go either way.
I have no idea what is going to happen. Strange times.
Good point: Always late cuts/adds and always seem to be guys someone was familiar with... so good eye on Vikings, Eagles, and also SF.
Was thinking. How man on the roster now, 92?
It’d be easier to list the 12 most likely pre-camp cuts. Seems like O & D line would get you half way there in a gif.
There are 90 on the roster now...and I think you can pretty much guarantee the first 10 cuts will be guys without a pic on NFL.com
Wow, there's a mental image for ya!
I wonder if there is a chance we see Genard Avery make a return. On their depth chart, he's equal or in front of a 2018 4th round pick, 2019 4th round pick and 2020 7th round pick. He was traded for a 2021 4th round pick but his use in Philly last season decreased on a weekly basis. I can only assume Berry had a hand in both his scouting while in Cleveland and the trade while in Philly, seems too much of a coincidence, and he could make a move if he still digs the guy.
It remains to be seen if that would require a trade or if Avery has fallen far enough out of favour in Philly to be a camp cut.
That'd be pretty damn cool. I was so bummed when Avery disappeared, we all thought we had a sitch edge to plug in.
USA Today's projected 53 was about as un-surprising as any Browns roster I can recall, which really tells you something. There's a Willie Harvey and an AJ Green but the rest feels like the national title contender returning everybody and adding a handful of 4 and 5-star recruits (Jed, Delpit, Hooper, Conklin).
With the meh exception of OBLB, this team is stacked at every level. And then we're one mid-range LB addition from being just dandy. Love it.
Yeah, pretty unsurprising, but I kind of love that 53, but admittedly it's hard to recall the notables who are left off without a list in from of me.
So, without looking it up, no JoJo or DJ.
I love keeping Forbes, Carlson, Gustin, D'Ernest, Tavierre, and Harvey.
I dunno, baring injuries, maybe our roster is just that obvious.
Edit - I'd but up for Avery in place of Thomas or Gustin.
I feel good about everything except our LB's ability to cover TE's.
I don't feel hopeless about that, and it's understandable as it pales in comparison to every other position group, which either has probowlers, blue-chippers, or both.
I'm kind of just giving them the benefit of the doubt at LB because it was a conscious choice to not invest in it, to keep them on rookie deals with the exception of Goodson, who was modestly paid.
We're strong and deep throughout the DL and DB groups, feels like a plan to me. LB will be diminished in Joe's scheme, wants five DBs on the field most of the time.
I really think Wilson-Phillips is gonna work out quite well. Some bumps, maybe, but by mid-season, they'll be the clear starters and we'll like them.
Boom. Down to 80.
Waived (4):
WR Tony Brown
LB Jermaine Grace
DE George Obinna
DT Justin Zimmer (non-football injury)