As the Cleveland Browns put the finishing touches on their 53-man roster, there could be some shake-up happening. Deshaun Watson will be the team’s starter, and Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reports that they have informed Dorian Thompson-Robinson that he will be on their initial 53-man roster. Following that decision, Cabot also reported that the team is expecting calls about transferring Jameis Winston and Tyler Huntley.
Thompson-Robinson was drafted in the fifth round last year and started three times while Watson was out of the roster. He returned to the bench when Joe Flacco was promoted from the couch to the Browns’ starting quarterback, and then suffered a hip injury that ended his season.
Winston and Huntley both joined the Browns this offseason. Both players have starting experience and would be valuable backups at the second spot for several teams. However, with Thompson-Robinson playing so poorly in Watson’s place, the Browns may not want to be too quick to trade Winston.
Why the Browns should keep Jameis Winston
Although Winston hasn’t been in Cleveland long, his role with the Browns has been significant. Winston is no longer considered the best player of his draft class. Nevertheless, he remains one of the best backup quarterbacks in the NFL. Winston’s contract value is comparable to the proof-of-concept contract Baker Mayfield signed last year.
Quarterbacks with starting experience don’t just fall out of the sky, especially in the playoffs. The Browns were lucky to find Flacco last year, but with Watson so injury-prone, they need a safe option behind him. Right now, they don’t have that in Thompson-Robinson.
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However, they do have Winston on the roster. With Winston fighting for long-term financial security in the NFL, Cleveland could have a dynamic threat behind Watson. Considering Winston is also in a contract year, the Browns would again put in maximum effort if he plays in place of Watson.
Cleveland signed Winston to a one-year, $8.7 million contract in March. In 2023, Winston played six games for the New Orleans Saints, completing 53.2 percent of his passes and totaling 264 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions.
Looking ahead, Huntley would be the preferred trade item, but Winston would bring back more value. They could pull the move if the Browns get an offer they like. Given the talent they would have behind Watson with Thompson-Robinson and Huntley, it could be the right decision.
