Receiver Anthony Schwartz, a third-round pick in 2021, is clearly on the roster bubble after the Browns added two veterans and Cedric Tillman in the draft. (USA Today)
Seven new draft picks move some former Browns draft picks on the bubble
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
Being drafted by Andrew Berry means never having to worry about your roster spot. But that may be changing.
Berry made 24 selections in three drafts prior to the current one. Twenty-three of those players are still on the Browns’ roster.
But with seven new players joining the Browns from last weekend’s draft – plus 12 veteran players added in free agency or trade -- some of Berry’s past draft picks could be on the roster bubble this year.
Safety Richard LeCounte, a fifth-round pick in 2021, is the only drafted player Berry has ever cut as Browns GM. Odds are he will have to add to that short list this summer.
“I think for all the guys [on the roster], it really is just about competition,” Berry said at the conclusion of his fourth Browns draft on Saturday. “I think if, for any player that comes in the NFL, if you’re not ready to come compete for your job, then it’s just not the league and it’s just not the sport for you. That’s the reality for young players, rookies and vets. That’s just kind of the way it is and that’s kind of the way that we’ll build out the roster.”
How will the Browns’ 2023 draft impact their position groups this summer? Let’s take a look.
First pick: No. 74 overall, wide receiver Cedric Tillman, Tennessee
On the roster: Amari Cooper, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Elijah Moore, Marquise Goodwin, David Bell, Anthony Schwartz, Michael Woods, Jakeem Grant, Demetric Felton, Daylen Baldwin, Jaelen Darden, Mike Harley, Isaiah Weston.
Analysis: At 6-3 and 215 pounds, Tillman is the biggest body in the room. His physicality, along with sure hands, is the reason he was taken first by Berry even after trading for Moore and signing Goodwin in free agency. Quarterback Deshaun Watson wanted a 50-50 ball winner, and Tillman was that when healthy at Tennessee. If Tillman instantly inherits the No. 5 receiver spot, it leaves two roster spots – at most – available.
On the bubble: Draft picks Bell, Schwartz and Felton won’t be given jobs automatically anymore; they’ll have to earn them. If he rebounds from 2022 Achilles tendon surgery, Grant’s return ability gives him a big edge, though Darden could challenge him as the return specialist. Woods suffered an Achilles tendon injury in informal workouts in Houston with Watson and will miss the 2023 season.
Second pick: No. 98, defensive tackle Siaki Ika, Baylor
On the roster: Dalvin Tomlinson, Jordan Elliott, Trysten Hill, Perrion Winfrey, Maurice Hurst, Tommy Togiai, Ben Stille, Roderick Perry, Michael Dwumfour.
Analysis: The overhaul of this previously undersized position group was a priority after Jim Schwartz replaced Joe Woods as defensive coordinator. Tomlinson (6-3 and 325), Hill and Hurst were added in free agency. Ika (6-3 and 335) figures as Tomlinson’s backup as a rookie, though Berry contended he can envision Tomlinson and Ika being on the field together.
On the bubble: Winfrey, who may have benefitted most from the hiring of Schwartz, threw away his golden ticket with an arrest on a misdemeanor count of assault in Houston. His uncertain future is a subject Berry categorically refuses to discuss. Togiai enters his third season needing a 180-degree turnaround to keep his roster spot.
Third pick: No. 111, offensive tackle Dawand Jones, Ohio State
On the roster: Jedrick Wills, Jack Conklin, James Hudson, Joe Haeg, Tyrone Wheatley.
Analysis: In December, the Browns signed right tackle Conklin to a four-year contract for $60 million. He has about $30 million in guarantees, which virtually assures him a roster spot for two years. By then, the Browns hope Jones will be ready to replace him at right tackle. The Browns have little choice other than to pick up Wills’ fifth-year option for 2024 by the May 2 deadline. There is no replacement left tackle on hand to replace him.
On the bubble: The addition of Jones probably means Hudson will get a lot more looks at left tackle in preseason to see if he is a viable future starter there. If he doesn’t show he can handle the more demanding left side, Hudson could fall by the wayside. A seven-year veteran like Haeg, 30, may be a more reliable backup.
Fourth pick: No. 126, defensive end Isaiah McGuire, Missouri
On the roster: Myles Garrett, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Alex Wright, Isaiah Thomas, Sam Kamara.
Analysis: This position group still begs for a veteran addition like Frank Clark or Robert Quinn. That’s because it’s a leap to expect Wright, Thomas or McGuire to fill the role of No. 3 edge rusher to join Garrett and Okoronkwo in a productive rotation.
On the bubble: There aren’t enough bodies here to put anyone on the bubble other than Kamara.
Fifth pick: No. 140, quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson, UCLA
On the roster: Deshaun Watson, Josh Dobbs, Kellen Mond.
Analysis: With undisputed backup Dobbs under contract for only one year, Mond and Thompson-Robinson will compete for the No. 3 job and front-runner candidate to succeed Dobbs as No. 2 in 2024.
On the bubble: Mond was claimed after the roster cuts last year, so he should get plenty of preseason reps this summer to make a favorable impression. He would need a tremendous preseason to bump the ultra-confident Thompson-Robinson to the practice squad.
Sixth pick: No. 142, cornerback Cameron Mitchell, Northwestern
On the roster: Denzel Ward, M.J. Emerson, Greg Newsome, A.J. Green, Mike Ford, Thomas Graham.
Analysis: Ford essentially was signed to be a core player on special teams. The role of starting slot cornerback is open. Newsome wasn’t comfortable playing inside last year, but he may be re-invigorated in Schwartz’s scheme. Mitchell says he played inside early in his career at Northwestern, but if Newsome couldn’t master it in his second season in the NFL it’s doubtful Mitchell can compete there as a rookie.
On the bubble: No doubt the Browns will add several undrafted players to this group. It will be hard for any of them to make the final roster.
Seventh pick: No. 202, center Luke Wypler, Ohio State
On the roster: Ethan Pocic, Nick Harris.
Analysis: Pocic signed a three-year contract with $10 million in guarantees. Barring injury, he’ll be the starter for two seasons. Harris can’t afford another pre-season injury this year after the arrival of Wypler. Also, the re-signing of Michael Dunn adds another player who can play center in an emergency.
On the bubble: Harris once was considered the heir-apparent to starter JC Tretter. Now he’s on the bubble.
