BEREA, Ohio — The Cleveland Browns open the 2026 regular season at the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sept. 13 at 1 p.m. ET, with one more preseason game Thursday against the New England Patriots before trimming to a 53-man roster by 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, according to the projection.
The projection calls for four quarterbacks: Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel and Taylen Green. Keeping four signal-callers on an active roster is described as unheard of in the NFL; the Browns are effectively using Green’s rookie year as a redshirt season. The projection notes Watson’s struggles, injury history and a hostile reception at the second preseason game — when he was met with loud boos — as context for Cleveland’s decision to carry Gabriel as another backup option.
At running back, the projection lists Quinshon Judkins, Dylan Sampson, Raheim Sanders and fullback Michael Burton. The Browns have a competition for the third running back spot, with Raheim Sanders and Ahmani Marshall vying for it; the edge is given to Raheim Sanders for his running and pass protection. Burton missed much of camp with an injury but had been the team’s top fullback before being sidelined.
Tight end depth is a concern, with Harold Fannin Jr., Blake Whiteheart and Carsen Ryan projected on the roster. Fifth-round pick Joe Royer has missed all of camp for personal reasons and could be placed on the reserve/non-football injury list. The wide receiver group projected to make the team includes Jerry Jeudy, KC Concepcion, Denzel Boston, Isaiah Bond and Tylan Wallace, with special-teams options such as Malachi Corley, Gage Larvadain or Luke Floriea mentioned as possible sixth-receiver candidates.
Offensive line depth is projected at 10 players, including Spencer Fano, Zion Johnson and Elgton Jenkins. The defensive front lists eight linemen, but the Browns lost defensive end Alex Wright to a season-ending Achilles injury and remain likely to add an edge rusher after reportedly pursuing Jadeveon Clowney and Za’Darius Smith before those players signed elsewhere. The linebacker group projects six players and notes that Carson Schwesinger has missed multiple weeks of practice with an undisclosed injury despite being the NFL’s reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year, according to the projection. The projection also flags depth concerns at tight end, cornerback and defensive line.
