Two Browns' rookies will be playing for an offensive roster spot on Saturday

Greg Newland

•
Two Browns' rookies will be playing for an offensive roster spot on Saturday image

As the Cleveland Browns prepare for Week 3 of the preseason, where they will host the Los Angeles Rams, two players on the Browns' offense will be playing for their lives.  Next Tuesday will be a challenging day for all NFL teams, as the rosters must be reduced from 90 to 53 players.  And then the next day, the 17-man practice squads will be filled.

Just a week ago it felt like Gage Larvadain had a really good shot at making this roster, but after the guaranteed contract to Isaiah Bond there are a few questions.  Will the Browns pick Diontae Johnson over Larvadain because of his experience in the league?  Is DeAndre Carter a lock to make the 53-man roster as a return specialist? 

If Larvadain has another strong preseason game on the receiving side and return side, I see him making this roster.  At that point, Andrew Berry will have to pick between Johnson or Carter, and with the experience that Johnson has as a receiver, and the potential for Larvadain or even Bond in the return game, Johnson feels like the pick. 

That will leave you with Jerry Jeudy, Cedric Tillman, Jamari Thrash, Johnson, Bond, and Larvadain as your six wide receivers on the 53-man roster on Tuesday. 

Ahmani Marshall, the rookie running back from Appalachian State, is the second guy who is closer to being out than in, but could find his way on the roster with a stellar performance.  Marshall has only 6 carries and 2 catches in the preseason, along with a touchdown, but he has run hard and shown a ton of quickness to hit the edge in all his opportunities. 

With Jerome Ford and Dylan Sampson locks for the roster, it’s hard to tell exactly what will happen with Quinshon Judkins, still unsigned.  With a big game from Marshall, he could easily jump over Pierre Strong Jr. and be the fourth running back on the roster.  But, if the Browns are keeping four quarterbacks (potentially), will they only keep 3 running backs and hope for Marshall to clear waivers and join the practice squad? 

Greg Newland

Greg Newland is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He was born and raised in NW Ohio with a deep passion for Cleveland Browns and Ohio State Football He has previously written for Dawg Pound Daily. Although relocated to enemy territory in Michigan, the fandom runs deep. This is definitely the year for the Browns.