CLEVELAND — Who will make the Cleveland Browns’ roster and who will be joining a long line of players hoping to find a roster spot with another team or a practice-squad offer?
The Browns, like the NFL’s other 31 teams, must trim the roster from 90 to 53 players by Saturday at 4 p.m., and they started the process early when wide receiver Jaelen Strong was released late Monday night.
Following Thursday’s preseason finale, a 20-16 win over the Detroit Lions at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, the Browns’ coaching staff and front office will meet and make decisions that shape the initial roster before the team opens up regular-season play at home against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, September 8.
Here are three players who could be on the bubble as the roster cuts loom.
Tight end Seth DeValve
DeValve has had problems in the past staying healthy during training camp, and this year was no exception for the fourth-year tight end.
DeValve suffered a concussion when he was hit in the head after reaching to make a catch during a drill early in training camp and missed weeks of practice and multiple preseason games. That coupled with a limited regular-season resume and a position switch to fullback could put the veteran tight end on the block.
Over 41 games in three seasons with the Browns, DeValve has made just 48 catches for 596 yards and four touchdowns.
Defensive tackle Trevon Coley
With the Browns signing Sheldon Richardson in free agency and acquiring Olivier Vernon in a trade with the New York Giants earlier this year, Coley had plenty of competition in front of him on the defensive line, but there was another player who has impressed on the interior: Devaroe Lawrence.
Lawrence registered seven total tackles, all of which were solo stops, and a team-leading four sacks during the preseason.
The thing that weighs well in Coley’s favor is his regular-season track record, as he registered 80 total tackles, including 41 solo stops, with 2.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries. Coley has started 29 of his 31 career games with the Browns.
Wide receiver Braxton Miller
Miller was signed by the Browns on the eve of the final practice of training camp last week, but despite the late start, he is very much in the mix for a spot on the team as roster reduction day fast approaches.
Despite limited repetitions in practice and the Browns’ preseason games against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida last Friday night and the Lions Thursday night, Miller made the most of his opportunities, as he turned his five receptions into 30 yards.
In two years with the Houston Texans, Miller caught 34 passes for 261 yards and two touchdowns while playing in just 21 games. Additionally, there is the matter of Miller’s running abilities, as he registered 3,315 rushing yards and 33 touchdowns on 600 carries at Ohio State and twice rushed for more than 1,000 yards in a single season in college.
“I think he is picking up the offense,” Browns coach Freddie Kitchens said ahead of the fourth preseason game. “That tells you a little bit about his learning ability.”
