All NFL teams will go from having 90 roster spots to 53 roster spots on August 29th, the cutdown date. Every year, this creates speculation around who will make the final roster spots that are up for grabs. There has been especially lots of speculation around the WR room. Maurquise Goodwin will likely be out for a few months, so I assume that means he doesn’t count as a roster spot.
First, I will go over who I think are locks to make the roster.
Amari Cooper
Elijah Moore
DPJ
Cedrick Tilman
David Bell
Some people believe David Bell won’t make the roster over someone like Jaelon Darden. This is crazy, Stefanski was ecstatic about him a year ago. Is one year of not getting opportunities because Brisset was focused on throwing to DPJ and Amari Cooper a cut able offense? Do you think Stefanski switched up to thinking he is not an NFL level player and has no potential? But Jaelon Daren and Austin Watkins are better! David Bell was drafted. Austin Watkins and Jaelon Darden could probably just live on our practice squad. Even if Watkins or Darden do make the roster (which I see a good chance of happening), why cut Bell for them? They can get a roster spot for them a better way.
There is likely another WR spot left after these locks. I think there is a sleeper candite to make this roster spot. I am not saying it will happen, I am saying it might. Who is this sleeper you may ask? Anthony Schwartz. But he is not an NFL level player! If he is not an NFL level player, then why is he making plays in practice? But that’s just what he is supposed to do! Then he is an NFL level player if he is doing what he is supposed to do. But I haven’t heard about plays in practice! That’s because you choose not to pay attention to them. I am not an Anthony Schwartz fan, but I am just fair. I want to acknowledge that he also does good things. He is an NFL level player the browns invested a draft pick into. I think the browns still have some hope for him and may consider keeping him on the roster. I also think there’s a good chance Watkins or Darden makes it over him. But I think it’s most likely Schwarts makes this final spot. I think Schwartz would be signed by another team, but Watkins or Darden could live on the practice squad.
What about Jakeem Grant? Maybe if the browns feel Jakeem Grant had an incredible recovery, then they would probably keep him over Schwartz. Really the main reason I think Schwartz makes the roster, is he is the only person that was not on the locks list that would be signed by another team by waivers. Watkins and Darden are more likely to survive on the practice squad without being snagged. Anthony Schwartz struggle to have the ability to suck in the balls without dropping them might have to do with confidence, and the browns may feel that they he has the potential to get through this. He has shown flashes. People are saying he is not an NFL player and has just been doing terrible all preseason and training camp, which is not true. They are also saying he has 0 chance to make the roster, which is also not true. At the same time, he is definitely not a lock. I think the browns are going to give the speed demon who is showing some flashes of having some abilities a chance with Deshaun Watson.
My roster predictions (in order):
Amari Cooper
DPJ
Elijah Moore
Cedrick Tilman
David Bell
Anthony Schwartz
Guys who might make the roster over Schwartz:
Jakeem Grant
Austin Watkins
Jaelon Darden
Mike Harley
photo credit: “Davion Davis and Anthony Schwartz” by Erik Drost is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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