The Cleveland Browns took a big step toward finalizing their 53-man roster by letting go of 16 players on Friday. But they still have a lot of work to do before the NFL deadline arrives on Sunday evening.
The Browns are facing some tough decisions, particularly at wide receiver. Not only do they have to decide whether to keep six from the position, but there is also stiff competition for that final spot.
With that in mind, insider Mark Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com is predicting that the Browns will make a surprising roster move, letting go of local hero Luke Floriea as well as fellow wide receiver Gage Larvadain.
“Odd men out will likely be Mentor native Luke Floriea, who caught three touchdown passes in the past two preseason games, and Gage Larvadain who’s one of Sanders’ favorite targets,” Cabot wrote.
If the Browns choose to keep six wide receivers, and Cabot is correct, that means that Malachi Corley, who could be the primary kickoff returner, is the choice over Floriea and Lavardain. Corley would round out a group that includes Jerry Jeudy and Isaiah Bond, newcomer Tylan Wallace, and rookies KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston.
Floriea was a compelling underdog story as an undrafted, undersized Ohio native who played at Kent State. He caught two touchdown passes in the preseason finale on Thursday and showed an ability to get open consistently.
Lavardain’s case may have been hurt, at least a little, by the decision to name Deshaun Watson over Sanders as the Browns’ starting quarterback. Another undrafted free agent who was signed last year, he led the team with 11 receptions during the preseason.
Even after getting down to the league limit, the Browns might continue to make changes as they search the waiver wire for potential help at positions of need. Cleveland has been looking for a veteran situational pass rusher all offseason, and that need has been heightened by the loss of Alex Wright for the season with an Achilles injury. Injuries have also severely cut into the depth at tight end.
The Browns may also make the unorthodox decision to keep four quarterbacks among the final 53, which obviously reduces an opportunity someplace else on the roster.
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