Cleveland Browns Preseason Roster Cuts and Player Analysis
Detailed Cleveland Browns preseason roster cuts and player performances shaping the 2026 team ahead of the final 53-man deadline.
The quick list
Best overall: Dillon Gabriel, for a roster seeking a poised reserve quarterback who can run the full offense.
Best changeup: Taylen Green, for a roster seeking a developmental quarterback whose mobility can alter red-zone run numbers.
Best late surge: Luke Floriea, for a receiver or tight-end-room candidate who made the most of limited preseason chances.
Best value: Practice-squad retention, for Cleveland’s depth players who clear waivers and need development snaps rather than immediate game-day roles.
Best for small spaces: The initial 53-man roster, for players with a clean special-teams or positional path, not merely a productive August stat line.
The reader’s real question is not whether Cleveland “won” the preseason. A 37-13 August result over New England is useful only insofar as it clarifies who can help the Browns after cutdown weekend.
It clarified some things. Cleveland’s offense had more rhythm in the finale, the second and third units controlled the game better than they had earlier, and several players created real roster decisions. It did not resolve everything.
Todd Monken held out starters, including Deshaun Watson, in part because of roster availability and depth concerns on both lines, according to Cleveland’s reporting. That matters when interpreting the finale, because it was a reserve-versus-reserve evaluation game, not a preview of the Jacksonville opener. [3]
Comparing the roster cases that matter
| Option | Preseason evidence | Role and layout fit | Roster-size trade-off | Price or cap impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dillon Gabriel | 12 of 15, 180 yards, 3 TDs against New England | Traditional distributor, play-action and drop-back operation | Keeping him requires a quarterback slot that could go to a coverage player or extra lineman | Not publicly disclosed |
| Taylen Green | 5 of 7 passing, 8 carries, 66 rushing yards against New England | Developmental dual-threat quarterback, potential situational package value | Four quarterbacks is a difficult 53-man fit | Not publicly disclosed |
| Luke Floriea | 3 TDs over final two preseason games, per Browns postgame coverage | Receiver or tight end depth, red-zone production | Must beat out receiver, tight end, or special-teams alternatives | Not publicly disclosed |
| Gage Larvadain | 11 receptions, 90 yards in three preseason games | Receiver depth with documented volume | Lower per-catch output, 8.18 yards per reception | Not publicly disclosed |
| Practice squad | Up to 16 players, subject to waiver outcomes | Development and injury insurance | Players must first clear waivers | Salaries and cap outcomes vary |
The useful comparison starts with Gabriel and Green because they are not competing to do the same job. Gabriel’s case is that the offense looked structurally normal with him running it. Green’s case is that he can force defenses to defend an extra run threat.
Gabriel completed 12 of 15 passes for 180 yards and three touchdowns in the win, finishing with a 157.9 passer rating. Browns postgame coverage highlighted his work in play-action, traditional drop-back concepts, and read-option looks. The score and rating are favorable, but the operational details are more important.
Gabriel said after the game that he had tried to frame a typical practice week as roughly 20 to 25 cumulative reps, or about half a game. That is not a complaint disguised as an excuse. It explains why his faster huddle operation was notable.
He specifically described the staff’s “four twos” standard: two seconds to receive the call, two seconds in the huddle, two seconds out, and an emphasis on reaching cadence without wasted time. That is a practical reserve-quarterback trait, because the backup has to avoid burning plays through hesitation.
Monken’s comments supported that interpretation. He called Gabriel poised and said he understood what Cleveland wanted schematically, while noting that Gabriel had mostly received walkthrough, inside-run, and nine-on-seven work rather than the primary good-on-good practice reps.
That context should temper any claim that Gabriel’s finale forced Cleveland to reorder the top of the depth chart. Monken directly said the game did not affect QB1 or QB2. The more plausible reading is that Gabriel strengthened his argument to remain in the building.
Green’s tape argued something else. He entered backed up near his own goal line, escaped what could have been a safety, and turned it into a 30-yard run. He finished as the game’s leading rusher with eight carries for 66 yards, while completing five of seven passes.
The play was not merely an athletic highlight. Green said New England showed Cover 2 to a quick-game concept, but the nickel defender recovered into the throwing lane. Backed up, he chose not to force the throw and used his legs.
That decision is why the scramble carries more weight than a preseason box-score run. He recognized the coverage rotation, rejected an unsafe quick throw, and found space. The technique and conditioning still need work, as Green acknowledged, but the process was functional.
Monken described the roster appeal plainly: Green’s mobility can create “splash plays” and change the arithmetic on read-option runs. If the quarterback is a credible runner, an unblocked edge defender cannot simply squeeze the running back and ignore the quarterback.
That does not automatically justify keeping four quarterbacks. A 53-man roster is finite, and every fourth-quarterback decision affects positions where injuries and game-day special teams can dictate weekly numbers. Green’s traits make the debate legitimate, not easy.
Floriea’s touchdowns matter, but the receiver comparison is incomplete
Luke Floriea created the cleanest late-camp production story. Browns postgame coverage credited him with two touchdown catches from Gabriel against New England, and a third potential score was negated when the ball touched the ground. That followed a touchdown in the prior preseason game.
Monken’s assessment was appropriately more measured than the narrative. Floriea made the decision harder, he said, but the staff must also judge whether players fit the club and whether they have shown enough for Cleveland or another team to invest in development.
That is the correct lens. Three touchdowns in two games can demonstrate finishing ability, route awareness, or quarterback trust near the goal line. It cannot alone establish a complete receiver ranking without target totals, coverage context, blocking grades, special-teams snaps, and assignment data.
The available comparison data are thin. Gage Larvadain recorded 11 catches for 90 yards over three preseason games, an 8.18-yard average, while public detailed preseason production for Floriea is unavailable. [4] Floriea’s touchdown spike is more visible, but Larvadain’s reception volume represents a different kind of evidence.
The Browns also saw Ben Patterson, a 6-foot-5 receiver from Texas Permian Basin, lead the finale in receiving with more than 70 yards according to the team broadcast. But Patterson was among the initial cuts, which is a reminder that one game’s yardage rarely outweighs the full camp body of work. [3]
The cuts: size, role and the cost Cleveland cannot yet quantify
Cleveland’s first wave consisted of 12 waivers: tight end Drew Biber, offensive tackles Jeremiah Byers and Izavion Miller, punter Nik Constantinou, safety Christopher Edmonds, cornerbacks Nate Evans and Jeremiah McClendon, defensive tackles Coziah Izzard and Patrick Jenkins, defensive end Jamil Muhammad, receiver Ben Patterson, and tight end Jermaine Terry. [3]
The club also released vested-veteran cornerbacks Tre Avery and Tyler Hall, plus offensive tackle Tyre Phillips, from the active roster. Tight end Jack Stoll was released from injured reserve. [3] Those names cover multiple positions, but the choices share a roster-construction reality.
Cleveland cannot keep every developmental lineman, depth defensive back, specialist, and red-zone target. The roster is not built by counting preseason highlights. It is built around game-day functionality: who plays core special teams, who can cover for injuries, and who fits the weekly offensive and defensive packages.
“Price” is not a usable public differentiator here. The Browns have not disclosed cap savings, dead money, guarantees, or contract-specific consequences for these moves. Any claim that a particular release cleared a precise amount of cap space would be speculation.
The layout is clearer. Avery, Hall, Evans, and McClendon represent a crowded defensive-back path. Byers, Miller, and Phillips illustrate the permanent tension between developmental tackle depth and the need to preserve roster flexibility elsewhere.
At tight end, Biber, Terry, and Stoll leaving the active or injured-reserve picture does not mean Cleveland’s final tight-end count is settled. It means the club has started separating immediate 53-man candidates from players it may hope to retain or replace through waivers.
Constantinou’s release narrows the specialist competition. Izzard, Jenkins, and Muhammad were competing in front-seven groups where rotational usefulness, special-teams value, and availability can matter more than a single sack or tackle total.
What happens after the initial 53
Every club must reduce to 53 players by 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 30. Waiver claims conclude at 1 p.m. ET Monday, Aug. 31, and practice squads must be reported by 6 p.m. that day. [1]
That calendar is why the initial roster should be read as a working document. A player Cleveland releases can be claimed. A player Cleveland prefers may become available from another team. The Browns can then build a practice squad of up to 16 players, or 17 with an International Player Pathway addition. [1]
Monken’s postgame comments framed the process accurately. The roster is not only about the 53, but also about the developmental group underneath it. For fringe players, making Cleveland’s decision difficult can still mean earning an opportunity elsewhere.
Who each option suits
Dillon Gabriel suits Cleveland if it values full-offense command from its reserve quarterback. His finale was most convincing in rhythm, play-action sequencing, and speed into the huddle, not simply in the three touchdown passes.
Taylen Green suits Cleveland if the staff is willing to allocate a scarce roster slot to upside and package flexibility. His running changes defensive responsibilities, but the passing operation and conditioning remain developmental questions.
Luke Floriea suits Cleveland if the staff believes his red-zone finishing and late-camp rise translate beyond preseason matchups. His touchdowns have value, though the lack of complete comparative receiving data argues against treating them as the entire evaluation.
Gage Larvadain suits Cleveland if the club prioritizes documented receiving volume among its depth options. His 11 catches offer a broader sample than a short touchdown run, though his 90 yards also show the limitations of judging only box-score efficiency. [4]
The waived and released players suit waiver claims or practice-squad opportunities based on positional need. Their immediate Browns price is not publicly known, and their roster cases will be decided less by August headlines than by whether another club sees a role it needs filled.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the key roster cuts for the Cleveland Browns in the 2026 preseason?
The Browns began trimming their 90-man roster by waiving 12 players and releasing three vested veterans, including Tre Avery, Tyler Hall, Tyre Phillips, and Jack Stoll (released from injured reserve). These moves reduced the active roster ahead of the final 53-man deadline. Specific financial or cap impacts of these cuts were not publicly disclosed.
How did Dillon Gabriel and Taylen Green perform in the Browns preseason?
Dillon Gabriel completed 12 of 15 passes for 180 yards and three touchdowns in the preseason finale, showing poise and command of a traditional drop-back offense. Taylen Green displayed mobility with 66 rushing yards on eight carries and completed five of seven passes, highlighting his potential as a dual-threat quarterback. Both gained useful tape, but the performances did not settle the Browns’ starting quarterback order.
What impact did Luke Floriea's preseason touchdowns have on Browns roster decisions?
Luke Floriea scored three touchdowns across the final two preseason games, making the receiver depth decision more difficult. However, touchdown totals alone do not confirm that he secured a roster spot, as full snap counts and target data are not publicly available. His performance positioned him as a candidate for receiver or tight end depth.
When is the Cleveland Browns final 53-man roster deadline?
The Browns must set their final 53-man roster by Sunday, August 30, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. ET. After this deadline, waiver claims and practice squad construction will follow, with practice squads finalized by Monday, August 31, 2026.
How does the Browns preseason performance affect their Week 1 roster?
The initial 53-man roster set after the preseason is not necessarily the Week 1 roster. Waiver claims run through Monday afternoon after the cutdown, and teams may add up to 16 players on the practice squad. Therefore, preseason performance helps inform roster decisions but does not guarantee final spots for all players.
How we researched this
This article was assembled from 5 video sources, 4 published articles, 5 cited references.
Nothing here is based on hands-on testing. Where a figure or finding appears, it belongs to the source cited beside it, and the writing says so rather than implying otherwise. Every source is listed below so you can check it.
Sources
Todd Monken Press Conference | Preseason Week 3 vs. New England Patriots — Cleveland Browns
Postgame Press Conferences | Preseason Week 3 vs. New England Patriots — Cleveland Browns
Browns vs. Patriots Postgame Recap | Cleveland Browns — Cleveland Browns
Dillon Gabriel Press Conference | Preseason Week 3 vs. New England Patriots — Cleveland Browns
Taylen Green Press Conference | Preseason Week 3 vs. New England Patriots — Cleveland Browns
Browns start slashing roster, cut 15 players from active roster — Pro Football Talk
ProphetX Promo Code SBWIRE: Trade $10, Get $20 for NFL & More (August 2026) — Golfweek
Browns start slashing roster, cut 15 players from active roster — ProFootball Talk on NBC Sports
FBI arrests man it alleges posed as 49ers player to scam women in wild scheme — USA TODAY Sports
2026 NFL 53-Man Roster Cutdown Deadline Essential Information
2026 NFL Preseason Receiving Statistics | The Football Database
Browns start cutting roster, part ways with 15 players - NBC Sports
Watch Cleveland Browns Preseason Wrap and Roster Cuts on Youtube
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