The Browns on Saturday waived the following 24 players, bringing the roster down to the required 53 before the NFL's 4 p.m. deadline.
QB Kevin Davidson
QB Garrett Gilbert
RB Dontrell Hilliard
RB Benny LeMay
FB Johnny Stanton
WR Ja'Marcus Bradley
WR Damion Ratley
WR Taywan Taylor
T Brady Aiello
T Alex Taylor (injured)
C Jon Toth
G Michael Dunn
G Willie Wright
DE Robert McCray
DE Chad Thomas
DT Daniel Ekuale
LB Solomon Ajayi
LB Willie Harvey
LB Montrel Meander
CB A.J. Green
CB Robert Jackson
CB Donovan Olumba
S Elijah Benton
S Javonte Moffatt
With no in-person offseason program, no preseason games, a delayed start to training camp and a host of new rules and procedures because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, EVP of Football Operations and General Manager Andrew Berry and Head Coach Kevin Stefanski faced a wide variety of new dynamics as they constructed their first 53-man roster together. Still, Berry and Stefanski said the same principles and philosophies they used during "normal" seasons guided them throughout the process.
"We always take and evaluate all the training camp practices, evaluate every snap, every rep and really try and get as good of a feel for our guys as we can," Berry said. "We worked closely with our coaches and solicited their feedback as well as from our pro staff and our scouts. We really spent a lot of time on our roster. Where it's a little bit different is you don't get the preseason games, but we feel like we had enough information, enough film to make informed decisions on all 53 guys who made the team based on the practices we had throughout this month."
Stefanski, who led 14 on-field practices since the mid-August start to training camp, called the process "very collaborative."
"It's been a dialogue that's been ongoing," Stefanski said. "We check in with each other on the personnel and coaching side almost every four days to make sure we're evaluating these guys and finding the best 53 players we could. I thought Andrew and his staff and the coaching staff got together and really worked extremely well together to put a team of 53 players that we'll go to work with starting next Sunday."
Of the 53 players, 33 are returning members of the 2019 team. The remaining 20 came to Cleveland in the following ways leading up to Saturday's transactions: 11 via free agency, six through the 2020 NFL Draft, two via trades and one via waivers.
"We share a vision of how this team is going to play, but also, we went into this process very open-minded and wanting to keep the best 53 players," Stefanski said. "We didn't have any hard, fast rules of how many we were keeping at any given position. The way the roster shook out is based on the performance of those players."
Berry worked closely with Stefanski to shape the roster in a way that played to the strengths of what Stefanski and his staff want to accomplish on both sides of the ball. As an example, Cleveland's offense, which is based out of a wide-zone scheme, will enter its week of preparations for the season opener at Baltimore with a fullback, five tight ends and nine offensive linemen on the 53-man roster.
"We want to be deep at positions that an offensive and defensive system emphasize, but it's a credit to the players at those spots," Berry said. "They're good football players and they had strong camps and they earned those roster spots for the time being."
The Browns' offseason roster on April 1, 2021
Kicker Cody Parkey (2) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets on December 27, 2020 at MetLife Stadium. The Browns lost 23-16.
Quarterback Case Keenum (5) during a NFL football game between the Washington Football Team and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 34-20.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) before a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on January 3, 2021 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 24 -22.
Punter Jamie Gillan (7) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Tennessee Titans on December 6, 2020 at Nissan Stadium. The Browns won 41 - 35.
Kicker Matt McCrane (9) during practice on November 19, 2020.
Wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (11) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants on December 20, 2020 on Sunday Night Football at MetLife Stadium. The Browns won 20-6.
Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys on October 4, 2020 at AT&T Stadium. The Browns won 49 - 38.
Ryan Switzer during practice on October 22, 2020
Wide receiver Derrick Willies (16) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets on December 27, 2020 at MetLife Stadium. The Browns lost 23-16.
Kyle Lauletta during practice on November 4, 2020
Wide receiver JoJo Natson (19) during an NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on September 17, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 35-30.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during a NFL football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns on November 22, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 22-17.
Safety Grant Delpit (22) during practice on August 17, 2020
Running Back Nick Chubb (24) during a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on January 3, 2021 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 24 -22.
Brian Allen during practice on January 13, 2021.
Cornerback Greedy Williams (26) during practice on August 16, 2020
Running Back Kareem Hunt (27) during a NFL football game between the Houston Texans and Cleveland Browns on November 15, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 10-7.
Safety Sheldrick Redwine (29) during a NFL football game between the Indianapolis Colts and Cleveland Browns on October 11, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 32-23.
Running Back D'Ernest Johnson (30) after a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on January 3, 2021 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 24 -22.
Fullback Andy Janovich (31) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers on October 18, 2020 at Heinz Field. The Browns lost 38-7.
Safety Ronnie Harrison (33) during a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on January 3, 2021 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 24 -22.
Cornerback Robert Jackson (34) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on October 25, 2020 at Paul Brown Stadium. The Browns won 37-34.
Safety Jovante Moffatt (35) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars on November 29, 2020 at TIAA Bank Field. The Browns won 27-25.
Cornerback M.J. Stewart Jr. (36) during a NFL wild-card playoff football game between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers on January 10, 2021 at Heinz Field. The Browns won 48-37.
Cornerback A.J. Green (38) before a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on January 3, 2021 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 24 -22.
Linebacker Montrel Meander (41) before a NFL football game between the Washington Football Team and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 34-20.
Fullback Johnny Stanton (43) during a NFL football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns on November 22, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 22-17.
Linebacker Sione Takitaki (44) during a NFL football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns on November 22, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 22-17.
Long snapper Charley Hughlett (47) during a NFL football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns on November 22, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 22-17.
Safety Elijah Benton (48) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers on October 18, 2020 at Heinz Field. The Browns lost 38-7.
Running back John Kelly (49) during practice on September 23, 2020
Linebacker Jacob Phillips (50) during a NFL wild-card playoff football game between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers on January 10, 2021 at Heinz Field. The Browns won 48-37.
Linebacker Mack Wilson (51) before a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on January 3, 2021 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 24 -22.
Linebacker Elijah Lee (52) before a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on January 3, 2021 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 24 -22.
Center Nick Harris (53) during a NFL football game between the Las Vegas Raiders and Cleveland Browns on November 1, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 16-6.
Linebacker Malcolm Smith (56) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Tennessee Titans on December 6, 2020 at Nissan Stadium. The Browns won 41 - 35.
Offensive tackle Alex Taylor (60) during practice on January 8, 2021.
Blake Hance during a NFL wild-card playoff football game between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers on January 10, 2021 at Heinz Field. The Browns won 48-37.
Center JC Tretter (64) during a NFL divisional round playoff football game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs on January 17, 2021 at Arrowhead Stadium. The Browns lost 17-22.
Offensive tackle Greg Senat (67) during practice on October 1, 2020
Offensive tackle Michael Dunn (68) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars on November 29, 2020 at TIAA Bank Field. The Browns won 27-25.
Defensive end Cameron Malveaux (69) during a NFL football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns on November 22, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 22-17.
Offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. (71) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on October 25, 2020 at Paul Brown Stadium. The Browns won 37-34.
Guard Colby Gossett (71) during practice on December 26, 2019.
Offensive tackle Chris Hubbard (74) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers on October 18, 2020 at Heinz Field. The Browns lost 38-7.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during a NFL football game between the Las Vegas Raiders and Cleveland Browns on November 1, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 16-6.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during a NFL Monday Night Football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on December 14, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 47-42.
Offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) during a NFL Monday Night Football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on December 14, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 47-42.
Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns game on December 8, 2019 at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars on November 29, 2020 at TIAA Bank Field. The Browns won 27-25.
Tight end Austin Hooper (81) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants on December 20, 2020 on Sunday Night Football at MetLife Stadium. The Browns won 20-6.
Wide receiver Rashard Higgins (82) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars on November 29, 2020 at TIAA Bank Field. The Browns won 27-25.
Alexander Hollins during practice on January 13, 2021.
Wide receiver Ja'Marcus Bradley (84) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets on December 27, 2020 at MetLife Stadium. The Browns lost 23-16.
Tight end David Njoku (85) before a NFL football game between the Houston Texans and Cleveland Browns on November 15, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 10-7.
Kyle Markway during practice on October 1, 2020
Jordan Franks during practice on October 14, 2020
Tight end Harrison Bryant (88) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars on November 29, 2020 at TIAA Bank Field. The Browns won 27-25.
Defensive tackle Jordan Elliott (90) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars on November 29, 2020 at TIAA Bank Field. The Browns won 27-25.
Defensive end Joe Jackson (91) before a NFL football game between the Washington Football Team and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 34-20.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on October 25, 2020 at Paul Brown Stadium. The Browns won 37-34.
Defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson (98) during a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on January 3, 2021 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 24 -22.
This is a 2020 photo of Andrew Billings of the Cleveland Browns NFL football team. This image reflects the Cleveland Browns active roster as of August 1, 2020 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
TCU offensive lineman Cordel Iwuagwu runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Boise State linebacker Curtis Weaver runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Indianapolis Colts center Javon Patterson (65) runs a drill during practice at the NFL team's football training camp in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
FILE - Atlanta Falcons defensive end Takkarist McKinley (98) works during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Atlanta, in this Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, file photo. Looking to bolster their pass rush to complement All-Pro Myles Garrett, the Cleveland Browns plan to sign free agent Takkarist McKinley, a person familiar with the negotiations told the Associated Press on Tuesday, March 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik, File)
FILE - In this Monday, Oct. 26, 2020 file photo, Los Angeles Rams safety John Johnson III, right, breaks up a pass intended for Chicago Bears wide receiver Anthony Miller during the second half of an NFL football game in Inglewood, Calif. The Cleveland Browns made their agreement with free agent John Johnson III official on Wednesday, March 17, 2021 adding the safety to a secondary that was ravaged by injuries in 2020 and lacked a seasoned leader.(AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo, File)
FILE - In this Dec. 6, 2020, file photo, Los Angeles Rams cornerback Troy Hill runs in an interception for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of an NFL football game in Glendale, Ariz. The Cleveland Browns continued to upgrade their secondary by agreeing to terms on a contract with free agent cornerback Hill, a person familiar with the negotiations told the Associated Press on Thursday, March 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
FILE - Indianapolis Colts linebacker Anthony Walker (54) runs to the sidelines during an NFL football game against the New York Jets in Indianapolis, in this Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, file photo. Free agent linebacker Anthony Walker agreed to sign a one-year, $3.5 million contract with Cleveland, which has improved its secondary, pass rush and linebacking corps this week in free agency. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger, File)
FILE - In this Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 file photo, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel (19) runs against Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Malik Jackson (97) during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif. When he hit free agency, Malik Jackson's list of teams the defensive tackle would consider signing with was short and they all had to fit one requirement. Super Bowl contender. The Browns were a match. Jackson signed with Cleveland and said free agent Jadeveon Clowney might want to follow his lead.(AP Photo/Tony Avelar, File)
Defensively, the Browns were hampered by injuries throughout training camp and were hit particularly hard in the secondary. Second-round pick Grant Delpit was lost for the season with an Achilles' injury and as many as four cornerbacks were sidelined at certain practices. Ultimately, the Browns kept 10 defensive backs, including S Ronnie Harrison, who was acquired Thursday in a trade with the Jaguars. A number of the players in the group who dealt with injuries during training camp are on the path to recovery.
"Injuries are not a fun part of this game. You feel for the guys that are out, whether it's a short period of time or an extended period of time," Stefanski said. "As cliche as it gets, it presented an opportunity for next man up. We did get good exposure to a bunch of good players in these positions out here on the field."
Delpit, who was placed on the reserve/injured list in August, is the only member of Cleveland's 2020 draft class to not make the 53-man roster. Starting with Jedrick Wills Jr. — who is poised to start the season at left tackle — and ending with sixth-round selection Donovan Peoples-Jones — a versatile wide receiver who will also help on special teams — the Browns have plenty in store for their six-man rookie class. The Browns do not have any undrafted rookie free agents on the initial 53-man roster.
"Going all the way back to April when we first started talking about this rookie class, I think we have smart, tough football players," Stefanski said. "I know every club across the league wishes there was a longer runway but I'm excited about this group of rookies based on how they work. They make a mistake, we identify it and correct it and you don't see the same mistake twice. I think it's a class that really understands how we want to play football. I'm excited about them."
The Browns can make additional roster moves in the coming days via waiver claims and free agent signings. They'll also look to construct a 16-man practice squad, a six-player increase from previous seasons.
"It's very fluid," Berry said. "It's the first 53 but it doesn't necessarily mean it's the final 53. Roster management is 24-7, 365 days a year. Certainly with the hundreds of players that are going to become available in the next 24 hours, we'll always look to add depth and competition to the 53."
Breaking down the Browns' 53-man roster by position alphabetically:
Quarterbacks (2): Case Keenum, Baker Mayfield
Running backs (3): Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, D'Ernest Johnson
Fullbacks (1): Andy Janovich
Tight ends (5): Pharaoh Brown, Harrison Bryant, Stephen Carlson, Austin Hooper, David Njoku
Wide receivers (6): Odell Beckham Jr., Rashard Higgins, KhaDarel Hodge, Jarvis Landry, JoJo Natson, Donovan Peoples-Jones
Offensive linemen (9): Joel Bitonio, Evan Brown, Jack Conklin, Nick Harris, Chris Hubbard, Kendall Lamm, Wyatt Teller, JC Tretter, Jedrick Wills Jr.
Defensive linemen (8): Eli Ankou, Adrian Clayborn, Jordan Elliott, Myles Garrett, Porter Gustin, Larry Ogunjobi, Sheldon Richardson, Olivier Vernon
Linebackers (6): Tae Davis, B.J. Goodson, Jacob Phillips, Malcolm Smith, Sione Takitaki, Mack Wilson
Defensive backs (10): Ronnie Harrison, Kevin Johnson, Karl Joseph, Terrance Mitchell, Sheldrick Redwine, Andrew Sendejo, M.J. Stewart Jr., Tavierre Thomas, Denzel Ward, Greedy Williams
Specialists (3): Jamie Gillan, Charley Hughlett, Austin Seibert
