Projecting the Cleveland Browns' 53 man roster

CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Browns have until 4 p.m. ET on Saturday to trim their roster from 90 players to 53.

With that in mind, let's project what the Browns' final roster might look like entering Week 1 of their highly anticipated 2019 season.

Quarterback

1. Baker Mayfield
2. Drew Stanton
3. Garrett Gilbert

Of all of the positions on Cleveland's roster, it's quarterback for once that's arguably the most set in stone. While Drew Stanton might currently be best suited to be Baker Mayfield's understudy, Garrett Gilbert provides potential developmental value as a player who could fulfill the role long term.

Running back

1. Nick Chubb
2. Dontrell Hilliard
3. D'Ernest Johnson
4. Joe Kerridge

With Kareem Hunt suspended for the first eight games of the season and Duke Johnson now in Houston, Dontrell Hilliard and D'Ernest Johnson spent establishing themselves as the clear backups to Nick Chubb and players who could each have a role in the Browns' return game as well.

Joe Kerridge will likely serve as Cleveland's Week 1 fullback, although it remains to be seen how secure his spot will be and significant of a role that will be.

Wide receiver

1. Odell Beckham Jr.
2. Jarvis Landry
3. Rashard Higgins
4. Braxton Miller
5. Damion Ratley
6. Derrick Willies

Between the surprise release of Jaelen Strong and Antonio Callaway's 4-game suspension to start the season, John Dorsey's wide receiver dilemma looks a lot easier than it did just a week ago. Behind Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry and Rashard Higgins, Braxton Miller, Damion Ratley and Derrick Willies should not only round out the team's depth chart but receive a four-week on-field audition before Callaway's return vs. the San Francisco 49ers in Week 5.

Tight end

1. David Njoku
2. Demetrius Harris
3. Pharaoh Brown

While David Njoku and Demetrius Harris are entrenched as the Browns' top two tight ends, one of Dorsey's bigger decisions this weekend will be between keeping Pharaoh Brown and Seth DeValve. With injuries limiting DeValve's availability in training camp, the former fourth-round pick's time in Cleveland may finally be up in favor of the 6-foot-6, 258-pound Brown, who caught 3 passes for 28 yards in the preseason.

Offensive tackle

1. Greg Robinson
2. Chris Hubbard
3. Kendall Lamm

Offensive guard

1. Joel Bitonio
2. Wyatt Teller
3. Eric Kush
4. Drew Forbes

Center

1. JC Tretter

While the Browns' offensive line is arguably one of the team's biggest question marks entering the season, Dorsey doesn't have too many tough decisions on his hand. Assuming Wyatt Teller takes over as Cleveland's starting right guard after being acquired from Buffalo on Thursday, the Browns' starting five offensive linemen should be set. The unit's depth, however, is lacking -- especially at offensive tackle -- and could be a priority for Cleveland when working the waiver wire this weekend.

In what would be the headliner for the Browns on cut down day, it seems feasible Dorsey will move on from Austin Corbett, a year after selecting him in the second round of the 2018 draft. Should it do so, Cleveland would first attempt to trade Corbett, but could ultimately just opt to cut the Nevada product following a disappointing training camp.

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Defensive end

1. Myles Garrett
2. Olivier Vernon
3. Genard Avery
4. Chris Smith
5. Chad Thomas

Considered one of the deeper positions on the Browns' roster, Dorsey will have interesting decisions to make at defensive end in the next day. After a disappointing rookie year, Chad Thomas put together a strong preseason, which could result in the former third-round pick making Cleveland's final roster over veteran Anthony Zettel. Although technically listed as a linebacker, Genard Avery was primarily used as a pass-rusher in the preseason and could find himself playing a similar role with obvious passing downs.

Defensive tackle

1. Larry Ogunjobi
2. Sheldon Richardson
3. Devaroe Lawrence
4. Trevon Coley

One of the most pleasant surprises of the preseason in Cleveland has been Devaroe Lawrence's emergence as a quality backup who also happens to possess high upside. Meanwhile, it appears the Browns will also keep Trevon Coley to help backup Larry Ogunjobi and Sheldon Richardson, which likely means that Daniel Ekuale will be cut on Saturday.

Linebacker

1. Joe Schobert
2. Christian Kirksey
3. Sione Takitaki
4. Mack Wilson
5. Adarius Taylor
6. Ray-Ray Armstrong

If the Browns are going to make a surprise move this weekend, it could be at linebacker, where rookie Mack Wilson performed well enough in the preseason to warrant playing time in the regular season, but is currently stuck behind veterans Joe Schobert and Christian Kirksey on the team's depth chart. Assuming Cleveland doesn't make a trade, keeping six linebackers seems right, with Adarius Taylor and Ray-Ray Armstrong doubling as both depth and special teams contributors.

Cornerbacks

1. Denzel Ward
2. Greedy Williams
3. Terrance Mitchell
4. T.J. Carrie
5. Tavierre Thomas

With the top four cornerbacks on the Browns' depth chart set, the fifth spot will likely come down to Tavierre Thomas and Phillip Gaines. A former Division II All-American, Thomas could very well get the nod thanks to both his versatility and ability on special teams.

Safety

1. Damarious Randall
2. Morgan Burnett
3. Jermaine Whitehead
4. Eric Murray
5. Sheldrick Redwine
6. Juston Burris

Damarious Randall and Morgan Burnett are entrenched as the Browns' starting safeties, while Eric Murray can provide not only depth at safety, but nickelback as well. After being selected with a fourth-round pick, Sheldrick Redwine's biggest contributions as a rookie will likely come on special teams, where he'll likely be joined by Juston Burris, whose ability to also play cornerback could help secure his roster spot.

Special teams

1. Austin Seibert
2. Britton Colquitt
3. Charley Hughlett

As training camp came to a close, Austin Seibert appeared to emerge as the team's starting kicker, beating out incumbent Greg Joseph. Britton Colquitt and Charley Hughlett will each return as the Browns' punter and long snapper, respectivelly, leaving Jamie "The Scottish Hammer" Gillan on the outside looking in.

Suspended

1. Kareem Hunt
2. Antonio Callaway

Injured reserve

1. D.J. Montgomery
2. Lo Falemaka