Browns depth chart 2019: Cleveland's roster moves signal shift to win-now mode

No NFL team has created more offseason buzz in 2019 than the Browns. Cleveland, which finished 0-16 in 2017, is now the preseason favorite to win the AFC North because general manager John Dorsey continues to hoard Pro Bowl talent to improve a roster around franchise quarterback Baker Mayfield and first-year coach Freddie Kitchens.

The Browns took that aggression to the next level in March, when they traded for megastar Odell Beckham Jr. Cleveland also added running back Kareem Hunt, who will start the season with an eight-game suspension, via free agency. An all of that was before the 2019 NFL Draft.

MORE CLEVELAND BROWNS:
Mayfield's ranking among QBs | Kitchens' place among coaches

The difference in talent is dramatic, and now the Browns must play with expectations.

As Cleveland marches toward the regular season, here is a breakdown of its projected two-deep depth chart on offense and defense.

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Browns depth chart: Offense

*New to Browns in 2019

Running back

Chubb was impressive as a rookie with 996 yards and eight TDs on 5.2 yards per carry. That included an average of 7.1 yards per carry in the fourth quarter. The timeshare between Chubb and Hunt in the second half of the season will be interesting to monitor given the difference in styles.

In 2017, Hunt had 53 receptions for 455 yards and led the NFL in rushing with 1,327 yards as part of his breakout season. He is on a one-year deal, so the second half of the season must come with zero distractions. That leaves Duke Johnson, a veteran who averaged 864 yards from scrimmage over the last four seasons with the Browns, in limbo.

Kitchens has insisted throughout the offseason Johnson will be key contributor, but the fact that Johnson requested a trade leaves doubts about his future in Cleveland.

Wide receiver

Beckham joins former LSU teammate Jarvis Landry at receiver in Cleveland, which gives Mayfield two Pro Bowl receivers with which to work. Beckham, who was the prize in a trade that sent Jabrill Peppers to the Giants, led the NFL with 108.8 receiving yards per game as a rookie in 2014, and he gives Mayfield a go-to receiver.

Beckham battled injuries and drama in New York over the last two seasons, and he comes to Cleveland in a prove-it spot in his career. Just watch the catch percentage. Beckham caught 390 of 622 targets with the Giants — a 62.8 catch percentage that should improve with Mayfield and the other targets the Browns have to offer.

Landry, Higgins, Callaway and tight end David Njoku all had more than 500 yards receiving last season. Mayfield will spread the ball around to this group, but there are concerns about experience behind that core.

DIAMOND: Bad start for OBJ in Cleveland

Offensive line

Most of Cleveland's offensive line remains intact, and the decision to re-sign Greg Robinson at left tackle shows confidence in that group. Kevin Zeitler was traded to the Giants as part of a deal that brought Olivier Vernon to the Browns. Austin Corbett, a second-round pick in 2018, is in the spotlight now.

This group showed improvement last season. Mayfield took 25 sacks as a rookie, which was less than two per game in 13 starts. Cleveland also averaged 4.6 yards per rushing attempt. The Browns added depth via free agency with Eric Kush, Bryan Witzmann and Kendall Lamm. Those three additions combined for 27 starts last season. Left guard Drew Forbes, a sixth-round pick out of Southeast Missouri State, has sleeper appeal.

Browns depth chart: Defense

*New to Browns in 2019

Defensive line

Myles Garrett has 20.5 sacks over the last two seasons, and defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi has developed into a top interior player. Emmanuel Ogbah was traded to the Chiefs, but the Browns added Vernon in the Zeitler trade. Vernon averaged a touch more than seven sacks per season with the Giants and Dolphins.

The Browns also brought in Richardson, who has played with three different teams over the last three seasons, on a three-year deal. It's a talented front for defensive coordinator Steve Wilks.

MORE: Will Gerald McCoy sign with Browns?

Linebacker

Jamie Colins returned to the Patriots, and this was a position the Browns were expected to address more via free agency. They will stick with Avery, Schobert and Kirksey at the starting positions. Adarius Taylor, who enjoyed a breakout season with 60 tackles for Tampa Bay last season, was the free-agency add. BYU’s Sione Takitake is a third-round pick who could work into the rotation early.

Cleveland also drafted Alabama’s Mack Wilson in the fifth round, and he is a player who could develop into a starter down the line. Given that Schobert will be an unrestricted free agent in 2020, this is a big year for those rookies to prove themselves.

Secondary

Denzel Ward and Damarious Randall combined for seven interceptions and solidified two spots in the secondary last year. Ward, a 2018 first-round pick, did suffer two concussions, and that will need to be monitored.

Cleveland addressed the other cornerback in the draft with second-round pick Greedy Williams, a cover corner from LSU who slipped down the board in part because of concerns with his tackling.

Morgan Burnett, Randall’s former teammate in Green Bay, will take over at the other safety spot. Burnett started in two games for the Steelers last season. Cleveland also drafted Sheldrick Redwine, a Miami safety, in the fourth round.