#HeyTony: Is it possible for the Browns to carry four quarterbacks on the 53 roster?

Editor's note: Tony Grossi is an analyst on the Cleveland Browns for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.

Hey Tony: Can a team carry four quarterbacks on the roster? Is it even possible? If a QB is placed on the practice squad can he be claimed by another team? 

-- Ron, Brecksville, OH

Hey Ron: Carrying four QBs is more doable now than ever because practice squads have been increased to 16 players. So, if you short-change one position group to squeeze in a fourth quarterback, you can load up at that position on the practice squad and use your weekly activations, as needed. I can easily see the Browns entering the season with four QBs. Within a month of the season, teams will lose QBs to injuries and a trade market will develop before the deadline on November 4. In order for a QB to be moved to the practice squad, the player would have to be exposed to waivers and then re-signed. I don’t see the Browns doing that. Of course, training camp and preseason can change plans.

Hey Tony: Is there any truth to the report that recently came out that the Dolphins might have been looking to draft Dillon Gabriel a few picks after the Browns picked him? If so, is that why the Browns ultimately took him in the 3rd round, which was higher than most expected.

-- Ethan, Richmond, VA

Hey Ethan: We in the media and the professional “draftniks” did a poor job in totally mis-evaluating Gabriel. I mean, re-watch Oregon’s two games against future national champion Ohio State. I don’t doubt some teams had him rated in the third round, as did the Browns. He can play. You’ll see.

Hey Tony: Would you throw in the towel on this season if it meant getting the top 2 picks next season?

-- Steve, Blackwoods, PA

Hey Steve: I wouldn’t throw in the towel on any season before it starts. Let’s let it play out.

Hey Tony: How would the Browns QB room look different if they would have known Sanders would slide to the fifth round in the draft? Would they still trade for Pickett/sign Flacco/draft Gabriel?

-- Dom, Middleburg Heights, OH

Hey Dom: Honestly, I don’t think anything would have changed. I mean, they could have taken him in the first, second, third or fourth rounds – and didn’t.

Hey Tony: Where does Jerome Ford mix in with the new rookie HB's? Who gets the most carries?

-- A. Young, Atlanta, GA

Hey A. Young: Ford was due to make about $3.5 million in 2025. He agreed to a pay cut to a guaranteed $1.75 million. Why did the Browns propose a pay cut? Because they plan to turn over the feature running back duties to Quinshon Judkins, with Dylan Sampson as the probable top backup. Opportunity may thrust Ford into a more prominent role, but right now he looks like RB3 and will enter free agency in 2026.

Hey Tony: Do you think Flacco and Pickett are competing for starter and cut/trade bait, while Gabriel and Sanders are competing for backup and 3rd string weekly inactive?

-- Kyle, Louisville, KY

Hey Kyle: I don’t think any QB will be cut, unless one looks awful in preseason, which I doubt. I believe Gabriel and Sanders are competing for the backup jobs. They will have their opportunities over the next four years, trust me.

Hey Tony: In your mind, what was a positive and what has you more concerned after last week?

-- John, Stow, OH

Hey John: Positive: The QB roster is better at every level than last year’s. Concern: Beyond Jerry Jeudy, the receiver roster is unproven.

Hey Tony: Who do you see being the starting LB? Do you have any feeling on the defense?

-- Michelle, Orlando FL

Hey Michelle: The Browns will use a 4-2-5 configuration most often. The starting linebackers should be Jordan Hicks and Carson Schwesinger. When they use a third linebacker, he will be Mohamoud Diabate or Devin Bush or Winston Reid or Jerome Baker. I feel the defense will rank in the top half of the NFL, but it really needs to increase its takeaways to reach that level.

Hey Tony: Placing Nick Chubb among the 10 best Browns of the past 50 years (in order): Bernie, Joe Thomas, Nick, Sipe, Myles, Clay, Ozzie, Greg Pruitt, Doug Dieken, Michael Dean Perry. How'd I do?

-- Mike, Las Vegas, NV

Hey Mike: I love/hate this question. Here’s my top 10. (P.S., it could change every time I’d revisit it.) Joe Thomas, Clay Matthews, Nick Chubb, Bernie Kosar, Myles Garrett, Ozzie Newsome, Greg Pruitt, Michael Dean Perry, Brian Sipe, Doug Dieken.

Hey Tony: Since you seem pretty convinced that we’re taking a QB in R1 next year, wouldn’t it be better if Shedeur did start to feel like there’s a better chance for a higher draft pick (I believe in him but since you don’t seem to….)

-- Ryan, Cleveland, OH

Hey Ryan: The 2026 draft will have multiple QBs graded much higher than Gabriel and Sanders. With two first-round picks at their disposal, the Browns will have the means to select one of them. I just can’t see the Browns allowing the 2026 QB draft pass them by – no matter what Gabriel and Sanders are able to accomplish this season. It doesn’t mean Gabriel and Sanders will be discarded. They’ll be back no matter what.

Hey Tony: What will Browns fans’ reaction be when Myles Garrett is announced first home game? Bonus question: What would the reaction be if they showed Andrew Berry on Jumbotron?

-- Ryan, Vienna, WV

Hey Ryan: Garrett will be cheered. I don’t know the reaction for Berry. He had a pretty good draft, you know.

Hey Tony: Do you see any way the Browns bring in another wide receiver through trade or free agency prior to start of season?

-- Justin, Bidwell, OH

Hey Justin: Of course. But I expect the Browns to give the WRs on hand plenty of reps in preseason before Berry brings in another receiver through trade or signing one ‘off the street.’ But I would say that Diontae Johnson, Cedric Tillman, Michael Woods and Jamari Thrash better stay on the field in training camp. Can’t wait for them forever. Somebody has to step forward.

Hey Tony: What's the state of the O-line, both with health and the new coach? It was such a disaster last year.

-- Beth, Sugarcreek, OH

Hey Beth: With the coaching change at O-line and the return to the Bill Callahan wide zone system, I expect the O-line to be the strongest position group on the team. The continued health of Dawand Jones and Jack Conklin are the keys.

Hey Tony: If Jameis Winston was on the Browns right now, where would you rank him compared to Flacco, Pickett, Sanders, and Gabriel? 

-- AJ, Avon, OH

Hey AJ: Winston wouldn’t make my final roster.