CLEVELAND — At 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, the Cleveland Browns -- and the rest of the NFL -- will be required to trim their rosters to 53 players ahead of next week's start to the 2020 season.
With that in mind, let's attempt to project what the Browns' final roster will look like when they open the 2020 season against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, Sept. 13.
Quarterbacks (3): Baker Mayfield, Case Keenum, Garrett Gilbert
With Mayfield and Keenum being locks, the biggest question here is whether the Browns will start the season with two quarterbacks or three. Considering the uncertainty surrounding the upcoming season, it may make the most sense for Cleveland to stick with three quarterbacks for as long as possible.
Running back (4): Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, D'Ernest Johnson, Andy Janovich
Chubb and Hunt will both be featured in head coach Kevin Stefanski's offense, while the Browns will likely weigh Dontrell Hilliard's experience against D'Ernest Johnson's versatility. I think Johnson's ability as a kick returner ultimately gives him the edge, while the offseason acquisition of Andy Janovich marks the return of the fullback to Cleveland's roster.
Wide receiver (6): Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins, Donovan Peoples-Jones, KhaDarel Hodge, JoJo Natson
Carrying six wide receivers seems like a lot, but it might be necessary given the lack of established players behind Beckham and Landry. Peoples-Jones possesses perhaps the most upside of the non-starters, while Hodge and Natson's contributions will likely be limited to special teams. Damion Ratley has a shot to stretch this number of receivers the Browns carry to seven, but likely finds himself on the outside looking in.
Tight end (4): Austin Hooper, David Njoku, Harrison Bryant, Pharaoh Brown
Stefanski's affinity for two-tight end sets will likely necessitate the Browns carry four players at the position. Hooper, Njoku and Bryant are all locks -- although Njoku remains a potential trade candidate -- while Brown's blocking ability will likely give him the edge over Stephen Carlson as the No. 4 tight end.
Offensive line (9): Jedrick Wills Jr., Jack Conklin, JC Tretter, Joel Bitonio, Wyatt Teller, Nick Harris, Kendall Lamm, Chris Hubbard, Evan Brown
With Tretter still recovering from a minor knee procedure, the Browns are likely to start the season with two rookies in their starting lineup in Wills and Harris. That will likely ensure that Brown will make the opening day roster as the backup center, with the biggest question being whether Cleveland will keep two backup tackles in Hubbard and Lamm or roll the dice with just one. At least as far as the start of the season is concerned, the former seems like the safer bet.
Defensive Ends (4): Myles Garrett, Olivier Vernon, Adrian Clayborn, Porter Gustin
Garrett and Vernon are the undisputed starters, with Clayborn serving as the position's top backup. A former 5-star prospect, Porter Gustin appears to have surpassed Chad Thomas on the Browns' depth chart, which will likely spell the end of the former third-round pick's time in Cleveland.
Defensive tackles (4): Larry Ogunjobi, Sheldon Richardson, Jordan Elliott, Eli Ankou
Ogunjobi, Richardson and Elliott are all locks to make the roster at a position that took a hit when Andrew Billings opted out of the season. Billings' decision will likely result in Eli Ankou making the final 53-man roster, although this will likely be a position where the Browns weigh their options on the waiver wire.
Linebacker (6): Mack Wilson, B.J. Goodson, Jacob Phillips, Tae Davis, Malcolm Smith, Sione Takitaki
Wilson's hyperextended knee not needing surgery means the second-year linebacker won't begin the season on injured reserve. Still, it makes sense for the Browns to err on the side of caution by keeping multiple versatile options at one of their less proven positions -- especially with Lamar Jackson and the Ravens' offense looming in Week 1.
Cornerback (6): Denzel Ward, Greedy Williams, Terrance Mitchell, Kevin Johnson, Donovan Olumba, M.J. Stewart
Ward, Williams, Mitchell and Johnson all appear to be locks, leaving Olumba, Stewart, A.J. Green and Tavierre Thomas to battle it out. Due in large part to Wilson's injury and the need to start the season with six linebackers, I have Green and Thomas as the odd men out, although the Browns will likely do their best to get the former onto the practice squad.
Safety (4): Ronnie Harrison, Karl Joseph, Andrew Sendejo, Sheldrick Redwine
The addition of Harrison helps fill the hole left by second-round pick Grant Delpit's season-ending Achilles' tear. Depth, however, remains a concern considering Joseph's recent injury history.
Specialists (3): Jamie Gillan, Austin Seibert, Charley Hughlett
Heading into Saturday, this portion of the Browns' roster is the clearest cut, thanks in large part to a strong camp from Seibert.