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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.


I bet you're wondering the samething I did, why O' why didn't I take the...blue pill
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Kai Nacua was my choice to make the team, and I see no need to change my choice.


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Nacua is an easy choice IMO. Not saying he's guaranteed, but he's at a position of need and was someone who many thought would be drafted


"First down inside the 10. A score here will put us in the Super Bowl. Cooper is far to the left as Njoku settles into the slot. Moore is flanked out wide to the right. Chubb and Ford are split in the backfield as Watson takes the snap ... Here we go."
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Hasn't Boutte already been released?.....like weeks ago?


Tackles are tackles.
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Yes .. Boutte was waived back in mid May


The Cleveland Browns - WE KNOW QUARTERBACKS ( Look at how many we've had ... )
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I think Stribling is most likely.


If everybody had like minds, we would never learn.

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Thanks for posting and it is something new to discuss, but we did not have one of the worst OLs in the league last year and I am pretty sure Boutte was released awhile ago. Also, there are various 40 times for Nacua.

Last edited by Versatile Dog; 06/22/17 08:50 AM.
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Originally Posted By: Ballpeen
I think Stribling is most likely.
he certainly has a good chance, especially given our secondary


"First down inside the 10. A score here will put us in the Super Bowl. Cooper is far to the left as Njoku settles into the slot. Moore is flanked out wide to the right. Chubb and Ford are split in the backfield as Watson takes the snap ... Here we go."
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Originally Posted By: Dawgs4Life
Originally Posted By: Ballpeen
I think Stribling is most likely.
he certainly has a good chance, especially given our secondary


That is my thinking. Not that it is that bad on the first level, but you think about the 2nd level and losing our 4th round pick...forget his name at the moment.


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I like the 3 guys you have listed. Like yourself, was really wanting to see what Wilson could do at DB but hopefully one of these 3 fellas can make a name for themselves. Go get 'em guys!

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People bringing up DBs do so fr a very good couple of reasons ....

DBs typically play on special teams, and teams usually keep more DBs than any other position group.


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Karter Shult is a name to keep a close eye on. He could edge out one of these defensive ends. really caught my eye at the shrine game.

Also Jd Harmon could sneak into the mix cause he is an experienced physical corner.

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Channing Stribling CB Michigan


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Kenneth Olugbode ILB Colorado -

Mainly a coverage linebacker. Showed improvement in run game in 2016. Projects well as a special teams player (which is very important for UDFA to make a roster). Played best in Colorado's biggests games. Also, Browns are thin at linebacker. He is my choice to make the team.


https://www.profootballfocus.com/draft-10-undrafted-free-agents-likely-to-make-final-rosters/


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Alvin Hill, because he went to Maryland and... well... I'm a homer. tongue


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If Channing Stribing can stay tight in one on one coverage, which I think is something the Browns need even more guy's who can do that, then I think he has a good chance to get a roster spot.

I think Stribling has a chance because Howard Wilson was drafted and is injured.

This thread just makes me wish Josh Cribbs were still active.

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