Let's take a quick rundown of the Cleveland Browns post-draft roster as it heads to on-field work during organized team activities.
This post takes a look at the defense. Reserves listed are among the more prominent ones, the guys most likely to make the team -- though there are always surprises. Names with an asterisk are rookies.
Defensive line
Projected starters: (L to R) Randy Starks, Danny Shelton*, Desmond Bryant
Reserves:: Phil Taylor, Xavier Cooper*, Billy Winn, John Hughes, Ishmaa'ily Kitchen, Armonty Bryant.
Listing Starks is a guess. I believe the team would love to see a healthy Taylor line up alongside Shelton, but Taylor is coming off significant knee surgery. If he doesn't start, the third spot belongs to either Starks, Hughes, Winn or Cooper. Shelton is penciled in immediately because of the need for a big run-stopper, but he will not be at OTAs because he will be back in Washington finishing school and graduating on June 14. Bryant is liked by everyone on the coaching staff.
Outside linebacker
Projected starters: Paul Kruger, Barkevious Mingo
Reserves:: Nate Orchard*, Scott Solomon.
The Browns obviously will keep more than four outside linebackers, but these stand out. Mingo is coming off shoulder surgery; he played with a lot of courage in 2014. The team has high hopes for Orchard, who could be a boost as a pass-rusher.
Inside linebacker
Projected starters: Craig Robertson, Karlos Dansby
Reserves:: Chris Kirksey, Tank Carder, Hayes Pullard*.
A solid group that was made more solid with the drafting of Pullard, though barring injury he figures to spend most of his rookie season on special teams.
Cornerback
Projected starters: Joe Haden, Tramon Williams.
Reserves:: K'Waun Williams, Justin Gilbert, Pierre Desir, Ifo Ekpre-Olomu*, Charles Gaines.
Hard to underestimate how important it was to sign Tramon Williams. He allows K'Waun Williams and Gilbert to compete for the nickel spot. Don't write off Desir, though. He showed good things late last season.
Safety
Projected starters: Donte Whitner, Tashaun Gipson
Reserves:: Johnson Bademosi, Ibraheim Campbell*, Jordan Poyer
Gipson will be absent over a contract squabble. Getting that worked out should be a high priority for the Browns.
Later: Specialists