Mack Wilson could be a roster casualty after the Browns added three new linebackers in the transaction season. (Getty Images)
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
Isaac Newton’s third law of motion can be viewed as the first law of NFL roster-building.
For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
For every player drafted or signed in free agency or claimed via waivers, somebody has to go to make room.
The Browns have 90 players on the roster and that doesn’t include eight drafted rookies who don’t count on the roster until they’re signed.
Final roster cuts are four months away, but it’s not too soon to speculate on how an aggressive transaction season by GM Andrew Berry will affect the final makeup of the team come September.
Regular-season roster limit is 53 this year, but it can be increased by two from the practice squad each week. There are 12 on the practice squad.
Defensive line
Projected starters: Jadeveon Clowney, Jordan Elliott (dt), Andrew Billings (dt), Myles Garrett.
Projected backups: Takk McKinley, Malik Jackson (dt), Tommy Togiai (dt) (r), Porter Gustin, Curtis Weaver.
On the bubble: Joe Jackson, Cameron Malveaux, Sheldon Day (dt), Malik McDowell (dt), Marvin Wilson (dt) (r), Damion Square (dt), Romeo McKnight (r).
Analysis: Eight tackles seem excessive. But do does eight ends. Maybe they’re just casting a wide net. The intriguing players here are Weaver, whose claim off Miami waivers last year apparently persuaded Berry not to draft an edge rusher; McDowell, who hasn’t played a down in the NFL in four years because of multiple criminal charges and a jail term; and Wilson, who reportedly received $192,000 in guarantees after slipping out of the seven rounds of the draft.
Linebacker
Projected starters: Sione Takitaki, Anthony Walker, Jacob Phillips.
Projected backups: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (r), Malcolm Smith, Tony Fields (r).
On the bubble: Mack Wilson, Elijah Lee.
Analysis: A lot here depends on how many linebackers coordinator Joe Woods intends to use. Does he implement a three-safety alignment at the expense of a third linebacker for 40 percent of the time? Or did the drafting of Owusu-Koramoah, a hybrid linebacker who can run with tight ends and slot receivers, change the plan? In any case, the lightness of the linebackers (average weight: 228 pounds) poses a concern about the ability to stop the run.
Cornerback
Projected starters: Denzel Ward, Troy Hill, Greg Newsome (r).
Projected backups: Greedy Williams, M.J. Stewart.
On the bubble: Robert Jackson, A.J. Green, Brian Allen, Emmanuel Rugamba (r).
Analysis: Newsome v. Williams for the second outside cornerback spot figures to be the No. 1 training camp battle. Hill is the starting nickel back.
Safety
Projected starters: John Johnson, Grant Delpit, Ronnie Harrison.
Projected backups: Richard LeCounte (r), Sheldrick Redwine.
On the bubble: Jovante Moffatt, Elijah Benton, Montrel Meander.
Analysis: The big question here is whether Delpit can come back on time from Achilles tendon surgery in August. If not, it could result in more early play time for Owusu-Koramoah.
Offensive line
Projected starters: Jedrick Wills, Joel Bitonio, JC Tretter, Wyatt Teller, Jack Conklin.
Projected backups: James Hudson (r), Nick Harris, Chris Hubbard, Greg Senat.
On the bubble: Alex Taylor, Michael Dunn, Blake Hance, Drew Forbes, Javon Patterson, Anthony Fabiano, Cordel Iwuagwu, Colby Gossett.
Analysis: Late-season folk heroes Dunn and Hance have uphill battles to win spots. Hubbard’s return from ACL surgery is something to watch.
Wide receiver
Projected starters: Jarvis Landry, Odell Beckham Jr.
Projected backups: Rashard Higgins, KhaDarel Hodge, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Anthony Schwartz (r).
On the bubble: Ja’Marcus Bradley, Derrick Willies, JoJo Natson, Ryan Switzer, Alex Hollins.
Analysis: It’s going to be tough for anybody to break into the projected top six.
Tight end
Projected starters: Austin Hooper, Harrison Bryant.
Projected backups: David Njoku, Stephen Carlson.
On the bubble: Jordan Franks, Kyle Markway.
Analysis: Njoku’s $6 million guaranteed salary would make him the highest-paid No. 3 tight end, by plenty – unless he parlays a late-season surge and overtakes Bryant as the No. 2.
Running back
Projected starter: Nick Chubb, Andy Janovich.
Projected backups: Kareem Hunt, Demetric Felton (r).
On the bubble: D’Ernest Johnson, John Kelly, Johnny Stanton, Tre Harbison (r).
Analysis: Johnson’s story as a former Key West fisherman-turned-NFL running back is a fun one. But it may be coming to an end. Felton not only will compete against Johnson as the third back but also as the lead kickoff returner.
Quarterback
Projected starter: Baker Mayfield.
Projected backup: Case Keenum.
On the bubble: Kyle Lauletta.
Analysis: The Browns aren’t ready to replace Keenum, who may be too expensive once Mayfield gets his second contract. Lauletta, for now, is the top candidate to replace Keenum after 2021, which is why the Browns may seek to protect him on their practice squad.