Browns roster cut tracker: Dillon Gabriel, Taylen Green highlight bold QB approach

The Cleveland Browns will boldly enter the season with four quarterbacks, none of whom are proven at the NFL level except for Deshaun Watson, whose decline is well documented. New head coach Todd Monken has his work cut out for him, tasked with elevating the NFL's most beleaguered offense to a status of respectability. It's a challenge that may prove impossible.

Dillon Gabriel will start the season on the injured reserve, while rookie Taylen Green will serve as the third-string QB behind starter Watson and backup Shedeur Sanders. The latter "lost" the QB battle in training camp, although Watson is by no means guaranteed to keep the QB1 job if he can't limit the turnovers that become so prevalent in practice. Beyond the quarterbacks, Cleveland also made several noteworthy cuts on defense, while the wide receiver room did not shape up as expected.

Browns roster cuts and trades, ranked

Browns are keeping Dillon Gabriel and Taylen Green

Do I think it's likely the Browns can keep four quarterbacks on the roster? I doubt it. Sanders and Watson, as flawed as the latter may be, at least have some starting experience AND a prototype NFL arm. Gabriel is undersized, but has more pocket presence and accuracy than either Watson or Sanders. Green is an athlete, and that's how the Browns should use him. I look forward to seeing what Todd Monken has in mind.

Browns cut Spencer Fano's brother

Spencer Fano will make the roster, obviously. He is the Browns first-round pick out of Utah and a key piece of their future on the offensive side of the ball. Logan Fano? Eh, not so much. While it was a fun experience for the Fano brothers to play together (and match up against each other in camp), it was never realistic for both to make the roster.

Complete list of Cleveland Browns roster cuts

• WR Cedric Tillman
• WR Ben Patterson
• TE Jermaine Terry II
• TE Drew Biber
• TE Jack Stoll (from IR)
• OT Tyre Phillips
• OT Jeremiah Byers
• OT Izavion Miller
• DT Coziah Izzard
• DT Patrick Jenkins
• DE Jamil Muhammad
• CB Nate Evans
• CB Tre Avery
• CB Tyler Hall
• S Christopher Edmonds
• P Nik Constantinou
• CB Myles Bryant
• DT Sam Kamara
• CB D'Angelo Ross
• DT Travis Bell (IR)
• RB Davon Booth
• DT Elijah Chatman (IR)
• G Kinsley Eguakun
• DE Logan Fano
• WR Luke Floriea
• WR Gage Larvadain
• T K.T. Leveston
• RB Ahmani Marshall
• P Wes Pahl
• DT Tyreek Sapp
• DE Khordae Sydnor
• LB Edefuan Ulofoshio (IR)
• S Zion Washington
• LB Nathaniel Watson
• WR Kole Wilson

Full Browns 53-man depth chart

Notably, Gabriel is not technically on the 53-man roster to start after being moved to the injured reserve. That gives Cleveland time to look for trades before he is reactivated, potentially.

After cutting former third-round pick Cedric Tillman Jr. early in the process, the Browns' wide receiver room took shape, with rookie Denzel Boston expected to slot behind KC Concepion and seasoned vet Jerry Jeudy in the pecking order. The latter, for now, is viewed as Deshaun Watson's No. 1 target.

Quinshon Judkins will handle the lion's share of touches out of the backfield. He came up two shy of 1,000 scrimmage yards in 14 starts as a rookie. Meanwhile, first-round pick Spencer Fano headlines a revamped offensive line, which will be critical to protecting Watson (or his eventual successor) under center. The Browns' O-line has zero margin for error given the lack of playmaking talent on this roster.

There are fewer concerns on the defensive end. Myles Garrett's exit will obviously be impactful, but Jared Verse is an All-Pro talent in his own right, while second-year linebacker Carson Schwesinger is among the most versatile defensive weapons in football. There is room to improve up front still, but Cleveland projects as a top-10 defense if all goes according to plan.

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