Ulrich: Clues on the Cleveland Browns' Defensive Depth Chart

Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal wrote a post giving a "sneak peak" at the Cleveland Browns' current depth chart in their 3-4 base defensive package, based on the 30 minutes of practice open to the media. There weren't any glaring surprises, but it did help confirm a few things, such as the fact that Jabaal Sheard is moving over to the right side of the defense, and who the early favorites at inside linebacker and safety might be.

LDE: Desmond Bryant
NT: Phil Taylor
RDE: Ahtyba Rubin

LOLB: Paul Kruger
LILB: D’Qwell Jackson
RILB: Craig Robertson
ROLB: Jabaal Sheard

LCB: Joe Haden
RCB: Buster Skrine
SS: T.J. Ward
FS: Tashaun Gipson

At safety, there really isn't another option. With Usama Young waived, the only other option besides Tashaun Gipson would have been Eric Hagg. I can't imagine Buster Skrine staying as a starting cornerback in 2013. We'll see if the Browns target both positions in next week's draft. The other news had Ahtyba Rubin playing on the right side, and Craig Robertson playing at right inside linebacker. Per Ulrich's article, veteran D'Qwell Jackson said that the RILB position is open, and that both Robertson and James-Michael Johnson will "get cracks at it." Ulrich also noted that Rubin has already dropped 10-15 pounds from last season.