The Cleveland Browns have got to get their roster down to 53 by the 4:00 PM deadline on Tuesday. Of course, the initial 53 won't necessarily be the same ones they take into week one after waiver claims and the possible signings of other players who get released. The team started yesterday when they parted with 21 players.
NFL Insider Jordan Schultz is now reporting that the Browns are planning to part ways with veteran wide receiver and return specialist DeAndre Carter. Personally, I think this is the right move. He is a return-only player and has offered very little in the form of production as a wide receiver over his 10-year career.
With a wide receiver room that doesn't have a ton of proven talent, you just can't waste that roster spot on someone who does next to nothing in the passing game. On top of that, you have to ask yourself how big an impact a return specialist actually makes for a team. It's also not that difficult to find someone else who can be serviceable as a returner, so this move makes a lot of sense for the Browns.
This could also pave the way for one of my favorite training camp and preseason stand-out players, the undrafted free agent out of South Carolina, Gage Larvadain. Larvadain has really made a name for himself over the summer as a smaller guy with a good amount of speed and reliable hands.
In addition to that, he has been a good punt returner when given the chance in the preseason. Unlike Carter, Larvadain has shown he can be a playmaker in the passing game and has created some explosive plays both in practice and in the preseason. He can separate well, and his athleticism and speed help him to create extra yardage after the catch. They have already parted ways with special teams ace Tony Brown II, showing that they just don't have room for someone who can't contribute on more than just special teams.
There is, of course, a chance that the Browns bring both Tony Brown and DeAndre Carter back on the practice squad. They did something similar last year, putting special teams standouts on the practice squad and just calling them up as they were needed throughout the season, and it would make sense to approach it that way rather than taking up a roster spot on the 53.
More tough decisions await as the Browns cut their roster down to 53. Stay tuned in here at The OBR as it unfolds with the NFL regular season less than two weeks away. We will cover every move as the Browns prepare for a division matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals at home to start their season.