After the 2017 NFL Draft, the Browns secured 11 undrafted players to go along with their large draft haul, so there will be many new faces trying to get a roster spot. However, some may have a better chance than others do at making the team.
I will take you through all 11 players and explain why they may or may not make the team as well as give them a grade from 1-10 (1=very unlikely, 10=very likely) to get a spot.
NEXT: Highly unlikely
B.J. Bello, LB, Illinois State
After a scheme switch from a 3-4 to a 4-3, the team is going to need linebackers who can play in the system. This need gives players like Bello hope.
However, given his dismal production in college (13 career tackles, one pass deflected) and that he was primarily a special teams player, he will have one of the highest ladders to climb. He has the ideal size at 6-foot-2, 230 pounds, but seems to be more of a player who has “potential” rather than a player who coaches are excited to see.
Roster Chance: 1/10
Josh Boutte, OL, LSU
Isn’t it amazing what an offseason can do? The Browns went from having one of the worst offensive lines in the league (excluding Joe Thomas) to having what looks to be one of the most improved and potentially better offensive lines in the league. Given that, not only does Boutte have an uphill climb, but he doesn’t have the track record that suggests he will have much of a shot at all.
At LSU, he played in 44 games but only started 12 of them and not all in one season. Scouts suggested that he’s a decent run blocker but his pass blocking is terrible. At 6-foot-4, 350 pounds, he’ll most likely play guard, which means he’s going against Joel Bitonio, Kevin Zeitler, Spencer Drango and John Greco. I don’t see the Browns keeping more than four guards on the roster. Good luck.
Roster Chance: 1/10
Ladell Fleming, LB, Northern Illinois
Fleming comes in having played outside linebacker, a position the team needs help with, but is more of a pass rush specialist. Having seven career sacks and 11 career tackles for loss isn’t outstanding but it shows he did enough for the Browns to give him a look.
He would probably play the WILL linebacker and come in to rush situations, and is definitely no threat to Christian Kirksey‘s starting spot, but if he can show enough burst, and some production in preseason, Fleming could end up being one of the surprises to make the 53.
Roster Chance: 3/10
J.D. Harmon, DB, Kentucky
A cornerback from the SEC who totaled seven career interceptions and three forced fumbles has a degree of impressiveness that may make some open their eye a bit. I loved the fourth-round selection of Howard Wilson, not only because of his coverage ability, but because the team NEEDS playmakers in the secondary. Joe Haden and Jamar Taylor can only do so much.
Harmon, and the other defensive backs, have a realistic shot at making the roster because of the team’s lack of viable depth at the position. However, Harmon’s best bet is to make swats or grabs at the ball should they come his way and create turnovers as he did in college.
Roster Chance: 3/10
NEXT: There's a chance
Alvin Hill, S, Maryland
The Browns seemed to draft their strong safety of the future in Jabrill Peppers. The team also acquired Calvin Pryor and there’s no certainty if he’s going to switch to free safety or stay at the strong safety position and compete with Peppers for snaps. All this makes the free safety position a question mark for now.
A five-year player at Maryland, Hill is known more as a ball hawk, having 10 career pass deflections. He played cornerback but his less than spectacular speed have led many to speculate that safety would make more sense for Hill. So he may need to play a different position, but because the team is low on quality safeties, Hill has a decent shot at a roster spot.
Roster Chance: 4/10
Jamal Marcus, DL, Akron
The Browns are staying in-state with this one. Originally an Ohio State Buckeye, Marcus transferred to Akron. At 6-foot-2, 240 pounds, he would seem like an outside linebacker, but his skill set suggests that he may be better off trying his luck at defensive end.
With eight sacks and 18 tackles for loss to his credit, his best bet is running up-field at the quarterback, rather than playing any coverage. He has players like Myles Garrett, Emmanuel Ogbah and Carl Nassib in his way so it doesn’t seem likely at this point.
Roster Chance: 2/10
Taylor McNamara, TE, USC
Originally a Sooner, Taylor McNamara had very little “production” with career totals of 25 receptions, 198 yards and five touchdowns. His limited production, and awesome size, 6-foot-5, 250 pounds, makes me think two words: practice squad. The team already drafted David Njoku and has a returning Seth DeValve to pair up with so the team isn’t in any need of McNamara’s service just yet.
Roster Chance: 3/10
Kai Nacua, S, BYU
As I said before, the team needs playmakers in the secondary and safety help. Enter Kai Nacua, one of my favorite undrafted free agents in the 2017 class. It was amazing that Nacua didn’t go drafted at all, since he was considered a fourth or fifth rounder at the earliest. However, let’s let the number speak for themselves:
6-foot-2, 211 pounds, 14 career interceptions (two touchdowns), 12 pass deflections, 4.5 40-yard dash, 39-inch vertical. Let all that sink in. And yes, it’s ok to salivate.
Roster Chance: 8/10
NEXT: Potential surprises
Kenneth Olugbode, LB, Colorado
Simply put, this man can do it all. In his time at Colorado, he totaled 264 tackles, 11 for loss, 3.5 sacks, three interceptions (one touchdown), nine pass deflections, six fumble recoveries and a forced fumble. Obviously his secondary teammates Chidobe Awuzie and Ahkello Witherspoon took all the attention, but Olugbode seemed to be a silent killer for the Buffs.
At about 6-foot-1, 225 pounds, he looks like a player whose best chance to play would be at WILL and as stated before, the question marks at the linebacker position could give a player like Olugbode an opportunity to shine.
Roster Chance: 6/10
Karter Schult, DL, Northern Iowa
A small school product? Or small school star? 35.5 sacks (17 senior season), 56 tackles for loss and five forced fumbles. They say numbers speak for themselves but in the case of small school players, there’s always doubt.
Related: Jabrill Peppers still hasn’t signed
His skill set and size, 6-foot-3, 260 pounds, suggests he would play defensive end. This means he’d be competing with Garrett, Ogbah, Nassib, and Xavier Cooper for playing time as well as a spot. Not impossible, but not as likely as he may want. However, he could work his way to the practice squad, and eventually get a spot on the team, but I’d be surprised if he was on the roster for Week 1.
Roster Chance: 5/10
Channing Stribling, CB, Michigan
Almost all of Michigan’s secondary was drafted this season. To go along with Cleveland taking Jabrill Peppers, Delano Hill, Jourdan Lewis and Jeremy Clark were all drafted. However, Channing Stribling was the lone man out, which was bizarre considering his 5-6 round range. Along with Kai Nacua, Stribling was one of my favorite undrafted players this year and is who I give the best chance to make the final roster.
His career numbers are impressive (six interceptions, 15 pass deflections), and his size is good (6-foot-1, 190 pounds) but what may be best of all is coverage on the receiver. Scouts have lauded his ability to stay toe to toe with the opposing receivers. However, his strength has come into question and will need to improve on that. I, however, wouldn’t bet against a product of Harbaugh.
I know many (if not most) Browns fans are Buckeye fans and it will make them cringe to cheer for a Wolverine, but it’d be worth it in this case.
Roster Chance: 9/10
http://dawgpounddaily.com/2017/06/21/cleveland-browns-which-udfas-are-most-likely-to-make-the-team/Alvin Hill S
Kai Nacua, S, BYU
Channing Stribling, CB, Michigan
These three intrigue me the most.
Thought I would try and give us something new to discuss.