The Browns trimmed their roster to the required 53 by the NFL's mandated 4 p.m. ET deadline Saturday, bringing clarity and a few surprises a week before they host the Tennessee Titans.
Two trades were involved in the annual cut-down process (four total transactions for the week), welcoming receiver Taywan Taylor and guard Justin McCray to Cleveland in exchange for a couple of undisclosed draft picks. The Browns also claimed three players via waivers Sunday: tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (Arizona Cardinals), linebacker Malik Jefferson (Cincinnati Bengals) and receiver KhaDarel Hodge (Los Angeles Rams).
The Browns released safety Juston Burris and defensive tackle Trevon Coley in corresponding roster moves. The team also placed rookie offensive lineman Drew Forbes (knee) on injured reserve.
Among the surprises from the weekend: rookie punter Jamie Gillan, known as the "Scottish Hammer," made the final 53, prompting the termination of the contract of veteran Britton Colquitt. Fellow veterans Ray-Ray Armstrong, Carl Davis and Bryan Witzmann were also released as part of the deadline moves.
The remaining players departing the Browns on Saturday were players with less than four years of NFL service, meaning they were waived instead of released. Tight end Seth DeValve, defensive tackle Brian Price, cornerback Lenzy Pipkins and kicker Greg Joseph were among the players with past time spent with the Browns who were waived Saturday. DeValve was the lone former Brown claimed Sunday, joining the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Only one 2019 draft pick was waived: seventh-round cornerback Donnie Lewis Jr.
Check out the best photos from Browns Camp by team photographer Matt Starkey
Wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) and Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) during the eighth day of training camp on August 2, 2019.
The team during a conditioning test on July 24, 2019.
Wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) during the first day of training camp on July 25, 2019.
Cornerback Greedy Williams (26) during the first day of training camp on July 25, 2019.
Defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson (98) during the first day of training camp on July 25, 2019.
Guard Eric Kush (72) during the second day of training camp on July 26, 2019.
Defensive end Olivier Vernon (54) during the second day of training camp on July 26, 2019.
Cornerback Donnie Lewis Jr. (37) during the second day of training camp on July 26, 2019.
Defensive end Chris Smith (50) during the third day of training camp on July 27, 2019.
Linebacker Ray-Ray Armstrong (52) during the third day of training camp on July 27, 2019.
Running Back Dontrell Hilliard (25) during the fourth day of training camp on July 28, 2019.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) during the fourth day of training camp on July 28, 2019.
Wide receiver Dorian Baker (19) during the fourth day of training camp on July 28, 2019.
Defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (65) during the fifth day of training camp on July 29, 2019.
Linebacker Christian Kirksey (58) during the fifth day of training camp on July 29, 2019.
Head Coach Freddie Kitchens during the fifth day of training camp on July 29, 2019.
Linebacker Mack Wilson (51) during the fifth day of training camp on July 29, 2019.
Defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (65) and Defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson (98) during the fifth day of training camp on July 29, 2019.
Safety Sheldrick Redwine (33) during the sixth day of training camp on July 31, 2019.
Guard Bryan Witzmann (71) during the sixth day of training camp on July 31, 2019.
Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) during the sixth day of training camp on July 31, 2019.
Linebacker Ray-Ray Armstrong (52) during the sixth day of training camp on July 31, 2019.
Quarterback Drew Stanton (5) during the sixth day of training camp on July 31, 2019.
Cornerback Greedy Williams (26) during the seventh day of training camp on August 1, 2019.
Tight end David Njoku (85) and Safety Sheldrick Redwine (33) during the seventh day of training camp on August 1, 2019.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during the seventh day of training camp on August 1, 2019.
Defensive end Chris Smith (50) and Linebacker Christian Kirksey (58) during the eighth day of training camp on August 2, 2019.
Head Coach Freddie Kitchens during the eighth day of training camp on August 2, 2019.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during the eighth day of training camp on August 2, 2019.
Wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) and Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) during the eighth day of training camp on August 2, 2019.
Linebacker Mack Wilson (51) and Cornerback Greedy Williams (26) during the eighth day of training camp on August 2, 2019.
A player during the tenth day of training camp on August 5, 2019.
Linebacker Ray-Ray Armstrong (52) during the tenth day of training camp on August 5, 2019.
Wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) during the eleventh day of training camp on August 5, 2019.
Wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) and Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) during the eleventh day of training camp on August 5, 2019.
Wide receiver D.J. Montgomery (83) during the eleventh day of training camp on August 5, 2019.
Linebacker Mack Wilson (51) and Cornerback Greedy Williams (26)n during the thirteenth day of camp on August 9, 2019.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) during the thirteenth day of camp on August 9, 2019.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95), Defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson (98), Defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (65) and Defensive end Olivier Vernon (54) during the thirteenth day of camp on August 9, 2019.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during the thirteenth day of camp on August 10, 2019.
Safety Tigie Sankoh (40) during the thirteenth day of camp on August 10, 2019.
Quarterback David Blough (9) during the fourteenth day of camp on August 12, 2019.
Defensive tackle Carl Davis (94) during the fourteenth day of camp on August 12, 2019.
Defensive tackle Devaroe Lawrence (99) during the fourteenth day of camp on August 12, 2019.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) during the fourteenth day of camp on August 12, 2019.
Tight end Mik'Quan Deane (48), Wide receiver Dorian Baker (19), Defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson (98), Wide receiver D.J. Montgomery (83) and Safety Morgan Burnett (42) during the first of two joint practices with the Colts in Indianapolis.
Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) during the first of two joint practices with the Colts in Indianapolis.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) during the first of two joint practices with the Colts in Indianapolis.
Wide receiver Jaelen Strong (10) during the first of two joint practices with the Colts in Indianapolis.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during the first of two joint practices with the Colts in Indianapolis.
Wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) during the first of two joint practices with the Colts in Indianapolis.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) during the first of two joint practices with the Colts in Indianapolis.
Wide receiver Rashard Higgins (81) and Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) during the second joint practice with the Colts in Indianapolis.
Kicker Austin Seibert (2) during the seventeenth day of camp on August 19, 2019.
Offensive tackle Chris Hubbard (74) during the eighteenth day of camp on August 20, 2019.
Defensive tackle Daniel Ekuale (96) during the eighteenth day of camp on August 20, 2019.
Safety Damarious Randall (23) during the eighteenth day of camp on August 20, 2019.
Safety Damarious Randall (23) and Quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) during the eighteenth day of camp on August 20, 2019.
Quarterback David Blough (9) during the eighteenth day of camp on August 20, 2019.
Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) during the last day of camp on August 21, 2019.
Punter Britton Colquitt (4) during the last day of camp on August 21, 2019.
Rookie kicker Austin Seibert took a clear lead in the kicking competition with Joseph in the final two weeks of the preseason, going a perfect 6-for-6 on field goal attempts combined between outings against Tampa Bay and Detroit. Gillan's booming kicks in Indianapolis and Tampa Bay earned him a net average of 48 yards per punt in those two games, though he'll need to continue to get acclimated to kicking at FirstEnergy Stadium, where he posted a 33.3 yard net average in Thursday's preseason finale.
The Browns opted to keep five safeties and five cornerbacks in Steve Wilks' defense, which relies heavily on versatility among all position groups.
Cleveland also retained a total of four tight ends when including Sunday's addition of Seals-Jones, who joins David Njoku, Demetrius Harris and Pharaoh Brown on the roster. Seals-Jones stands to be an applaudable addition, should he find a way to contribute in a fashion similar to his first two NFL seasons in Arizona, where he caught 46 passes for 544 yards and four touchdowns in 25 games.
Receiver saw plenty of faces shuttle in and out during camp, but only four familiar names made the 53-man roster by the time the dust settled Sunday: Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins and Damion Ratley. New additions Taylor and Hodge, two players who spent camp elsewhere, round out the corps.
And finally, with more than 75 percent of the roster solidified before final cuts, an overarching point of emphasis over the weekend was on special teams. Jefferson finished as the third-best special teams tackler in Cincinnati last season with seven takedowns (10 total tackles on all units), and players such as rookie safety Sheldrick Redwine and cornerback Tavierre Thomas bolstered their standing by proving their worth on special teams.
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)
