Fansided

Browns: 5 players who won’t be on the roster by Week 1

By Brad Berreman

CLEVELAND, OHIO - NOVEMBER 22: David Njoku #85 of the Cleveland Browns is unable to catch a pass during the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 22, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - NOVEMBER 22: David Njoku #85 of the Cleveland Browns is unable to catch a pass during the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 22, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Credit: Jason Miller/Getty Images
Credit: Jason Miller/Getty Images /

4. D’Ernest Johnson, running back

Fantasy managers may recall Johnson’s popup game in Week 4 against the Dallas Cowboys last year, with 95 yards on 13 carries after Nick Chubb was injured early in that game. He had eight carries the following week, but just 11 carries the rest of the season.

Chubb and Kareem Hunt give the Browns the best running back tandem in the NFL, and even with possible injury to one or the other there’s just not a lot of room for anyone else to make a consistent difference. Johnson is replaceable in that respect, as he will battle Demetric Felton, John Kelly and Tre Harbison for what might be two spots on the 53-man roster.

3. Malik McDowell, defensive tackle

McDowell was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round of the 2017 draft, but an ATV accident ended his run there before it started. Multiple incidents of off-field trouble have followed, including 11 months in jail for assaulting a police officer, and he has yet to play an NFL snap.

The Browns took a flier on McDowell, who will turn 25 in June. Never say never, but it’s hard to see him sticking around long.

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