Tag Archives: Cleveland Browns

Browns, Draft, NFL

Browns Sign Thomas and Callaway

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Berea— The Cleveland Browns have come to terms on contracts with two more of their 2018 NFL draft selections as DE Chad Thomas and WR Antonio Callaway have signed their rookie deals.

The team now has six of their nine draft picks under contract.

Thomas, a defensive lineman from Miami (FL), was the Browns third round pick (67 overall). He started 33 games at the U where he totaled 103 tackles, 11 sacks, and two forced fumbles in his career.

Callaway, a talented yet troubled pass catcher from Florida, was the Browns fourth round selection (105 overall). When he was on the field he showed big time playmaking ability. During his college career he caught 89 passes for just under 1400 yards and scored seven touchdowns.

The remaining unsigned players for the Browns draft class are first round picks Baker Mayfield and Denzel Ward, as well as second round running back Nick Chubb.

Browns, NFL

Taylor Dealt to Arizona

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The Cleveland Browns have traded CB Jamar Taylor to the Arizona Cardinals for a sixth-round draft pick.

Taylor, a 2013 second-round choice by the Miami Dolphins, was acquired by Cleveland in a trade that saw them deal the 223rd selection in the 2016 NFL Draft for Taylor and the 250th pick.

With the addition of the 5-foot-11, 192 pound Taylor, the Cardinals instantly gain an experienced corner to a roster in need of just that. He will likely battle to start across from perennial All-Pro CB Patrick Peterson.

Taylor, 27, started 29 games for the Browns over the last two seasons , tallying three interceptions.

With the off-season signings of cornerbacks EJ Gaines, Terrance Mitchell, and TJ Carrie, and the selection of Denzel Ward with the fourth pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Taylor was likely the odd man out and probably would not have made the Browns final roster out of training camp.

This is the third trade made by new GM John Dorsey that saw him get value in return for a player that would have likely been cut before the season when you factor in the trades of quarterbacks Kevin Hogan and Cody Kessler to Washington and Jacksonville respectively.

Browns, NFL

Browns to be Featured on Hard Knocks

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Berea, Oh— The Cleveland Browns have been selected to be featured on the Emmy Award winning HBO show “Hard Knocks”.

A 30-person NFL Films crew will be in Browns training camp at team headquarters in Berea, Ohio shooting more than 2,000 hours of footage over the course of the series. Camera and sound crews will have unencumbered access to players’ and coaches’ meeting rooms, training rooms, living quarters and practice fields.

HARD KNOCKS: TRAINING CAMP WITH THE CLEVELAND BROWNS will be filled with interesting story lines as they follow head coach Hue Jackson and his football team as they attempt to turn around the teams misfortunes, including an 0-16 record. Other storylines will include number one overall pick Baker Mayfield adjust to the NFL, wide receiver Josh Gordon and his continued return to the NFL after missing time to drug suspensions and putting his life back together, as well as the relationship between Jackson and GM John Dorsey.

“NFL Films has always been exceptional at bringing fans closer to the game and they do an outstanding job with every show they produce, including HBO’s Hard Knocks,” said Cleveland Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam.  “We have been asked multiple times about being featured on Hard Knocks, and we really felt like it was our turn this year and the timing was right. We want to be great partners in this league, and we also recognize Hard Knocks gives fans a special opportunity to learn more about our team and players. Organizationally, we are confident about where we are headed, but we have a lot of work to do in order for this franchise to earn the respect of our fans on the field. We understand winning is ultimately most important to our fans. We’re looking forward to partnering with HBO and NFL Films to show how our team is working hard at training camp to prepare for the 2018 season.”

“I’ve been a part of Hard Knocks and when you experience it first hand, you come to appreciate the inside look it really gives fans,” said head coach Hue Jackson. “We are excited about what we are building within our organization and feel good about the progress we have made this offseason. Being able to bring our fans in so they can get to know our players and our organization in a different way will be a huge positive for us. I want people to see how much our players and coaches care, how hard they work and how badly they want to win for Cleveland. This will be a great opportunity for our team.”

“Like many, I was reluctant about being the featured team on Hard Knocks but once we sat down and talked about it as an organization, I feel a lot better and understand why the time is right,”  said general manager John Dorsey.  “Hue and I both feel like this team is in a good place and that we are in the process of building something that will lead to success. Being a part of Hard Knocks will give our fans the opportunity to see how passionate the people in our building are about winning and how excited we are about getting to work and preparing for the 2018 season.”

Narrated by Liev Schreiber, the show will debut Tuesday August 7 at 10 p.m. with new episodes debuting on subsequent Tuesdays until the finale on September 4.

Browns, Draft, NFL

Browns Sign Three Draft Picks

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On the final day of rookie minicamp in Berea, the Cleveland Browns reached terms with three of their 2018 draft picks.

Tackle Austin Corbett, a second round pick out of Nevada, wide out Damion Ratley, a sixth round selection from Texas A&M, and cornerback Simeon Thomas, a sixth rounder from Louisiana-Lafayette all signed their first NFL contracts.

Corbett’s deal is worth about $7.5 million, while the pair of sixth rounders deals will be worth about $2.5 million.

Browns, Draft, NFL

Browns Add 13 Undrafted Free Agents

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The Cleveland Browns have announced the signings of 13 undrafted free agents.

The list includes three wide outs, three offensive lineman, three defensive backs, two defensive lineman, a running back, as well as a punter.

The 13 rookies will join the rest of the teams rookies from the 2018 NFL Draft at rookie mini camp which runs from May 4-6.

The list of undrafted free agents can be found below.

Evan Berry

WR

5-11

202

11/4/95

Tennessee

Fairburn, Ga.

Elijah Campbell

DB

5-11

190

8/24/95

Northern Iowa

St. Paul, Minn.

Michael Carrizosa

P

5-10

227

9/18/95

San Jose State

Salinas, Calif.

Christian Dilauro

OL

6-6

300

11/11/94

Illinois

Uniontown, Ohio

Daniel Ekuale

DL

6-3

300

1/13/94

Washington State

Pago Pago, American Samoa

Micah Hannemann

DB

6-0

195

8/15/94

BYU

Alpine, Utah

Desmond Harrison

OL

6-6

295

10/8/93

West Georgia

Houston, Texas

Dontrell Hilliard

RB

5-11

202

2/26/95

Tulane

Baton Rouge, La.

Fred Lauina

OL

6-4

315

5/17/95

Oregon State

Nuuuli, American Samoa

Montrel Meander

DB

6-2

215

9/20/94

Grambling State

Amarillo, Texas

Da’Mari Scott

WR

6-0

205

8/8/95

Fresno State

Muskegon Heights, Mich.

Trenton Thompson

DL

6-3

288

7/27/96

Georgia

Albany, Ga.

Derrick Willies

WR

6-4

207

10/17/94

Texas Tech

San Bernadino, Calif.

Browns, Draft, NFL

Browns Make Baker the Number One Pick

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DALLAS— With the first pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns have selected Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield.

The 6’1″ 215 pound Mayfield, who went from walk on to Heisman trophy winner during his time in Norman, is the most accurate quarterback in this draft class. He completed 70.6% of his passes in his senior season while throwing for 43 touchdowns and just six interceptions. He also set the NCAA single season passing efficiency rating with a 198.90 mark while leading the Sooners to the Rose Bowl.

Outside of all of the stats, Mayfield excels as a leader on the field and lifts the play of those around him and that is exactly what GM John Dorsey hopes that he will do as a member of the Cleveland Browns.

Other than his size, the downside to Mayfield is that some question his maturity and attitude. He was arrested on February 25, 2017 and was charged with public intoxication, disorderly conduct, fleeing and resisting arrest. However, for Dorsey and the Browns to select him number one overall, they clearly can see past his old mistakes.

The Browns next selection is the fourth overall selection in the first round which they received from Houston in the Deshaun Watson trade during the 2017 NFL Draft.

Browns, Draft, NFL

OAB 365 Final 2018 NFL Mock Draft

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  1. Cleveland Browns- QB Sam Darnold, USC- Dorsey loves raw talent and Darnold has a ton of it. He can make all the throws and do so from any platform, but will he be able to develop into the franchise QB the Browns have so desperately needed?
  2. New York Giants– DE Bradley Chubb, NC State- Saquon Barkley is an option here but running back is no longer a premium position in the NFL. Passers, those who protect them, and those that get to them are the premier spots on a roster. Chubb is the best at getting to the QB in this draft.
  3. New York Jets– QB Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma- In my opinion Baker is the best QB in this draft. He can make all the throws, is insanely accurate, and knows how to lead a team.
  4. *TRADE* Buffalo Bills– QB Josh Rosen, UCLA- With Chubb off the board Dorsey trades the fourth pick to Buffalo for picks 12,22, and 53 this year and the Bills number one pick in 2019. The Bills then fill their QB position with the most polished passer in the draft in Rosen.
  5. Denver Broncos– CB Denzel Ward, Ohio State- After dealing Aqib Talib to the Rams this offseason, John Elway grabs a young and talented replacement to keep the Broncos defense strong.
  6. Indianapolis Colts– LB Roquan Smith, Georgia- The Colts need talent all over their roster and with Andrew Luck (hopefully) as the leader of their offense, the grab Smith to be their defensive stud. He is a heat seeking missile.
  7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- RB Saquon Barkley, Penn State- Tampa gets Jameis some help in the backfield with the player many feel is the best in this draft.
  8. Chicago Bears– OG Quenton Nelson, Notre Dame- The Bears got their franchise QB in 2017 and will focus on protecting him with the most can’t miss prospect of 2018 in Nelson. Nelson is a monster who will likely visit the Pro Bowl on a regular basis.
  9. San Francisco 49ers– S Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama- With their franchise QB locked up, the Niners begin this draft by building their defense up. Fitzpatrick is a safety who can cover and blitz and will be a big player in the back end of the San Fran D.
  10. Oakland Raiders– LB Tremaine Edmunds, Virginia Tech- The Raiders are in the market for more talent at LB and Edmunds has a ton of it. He is an instant upgrade for their defense and can make an immediate impact for Gruden and the boys.
  11. Miami Dolphins– S Derwin James, Florida State- James can play at all three levels of a defense. He can cover tight ends, blitz, tackle, and do anything a coordinator asks. He will be a versatile star in South Beach
  12. Cleveland Browns- EDGE Harold Landry, Boston College- After trading down the Browns get their hands on the second best edge rushing prospect in this draft in Landry. The mix of Landry, Emmanuel Ogbah, and last years number one overall pick Myles Garrett should give AFC North QB’s nightmares for years to come.
  13. Washington Redskins- DT Vita Vea, Washington- The Redskins need help on the defensive line and were terrible against the run last year. Vea should be able to come in and help them against some tough running backs in the NFC East.
  14. *TRADE* New England Patriots- OT Mike McGlinchey, Notre Dame- The Patriots trade up to get a new book end tackle to help the ageless Tom Brady stay upright and the Packers add a second round pick while dropping to 23.
  15. Arizona Cardinals– QB Josh Allen, Wyoming- With Sam Bradford and Mike Glennon on the roster, there is little hope for the future of the position. Allen is big, athletic, and has a cannon on his arm. He is inaccurate but given the proper amount of time to master an offense, he may be able to hide that.
  16. Baltimore Ravens– QB Lamar Jackson, Louisville- Joe Flacco is a shell of his Super Bowl self and Jackson is an athletic freak who played in a system with a lot of pro style concepts at Louisville. If Baltimore can build the offense around him, he could be a star.
  17. Los Angeles Chargers– DL Da’Ron Payne, Alabama- Payne adds another monster o the Chargers already very talented defensive line and will help stop the run.
  18. Seattle Seahawks- WR DJ Moore, Maryland- Moore is an instant upgrade to the Seahawks WR core. He is big, fast, and strong and in time will make a great duo with Russ Wilson.
  19. Dallas Cowboys– WR Courtland Sutton, WR SMU- The redshirt junior is a deep threat and a redzone specialist who can fill the void of the departed Dez Bryant. He will need to get quicker off the ball and focus on separation but he could be a steal
  20. Detroit Lions- EDGE Marcus Davenport, UTSA- The Lions need to get stronger on the defensive line and grabbing a guy who can come off the edge like Davenport who can start instantly across from Ziggy Ansah.
  21. Cincinnati Bengals– C James Daniels, Iowa- The Bengals need to get stronger on the interior line and drafting a player of Daniels caliber is a great step in the right direction. It may not be a flashy pick but it is the right call here for Cincy.
  22. Cleveland Browns– CB Jaire Alexander, Louisville- Alexander is an instant starter in this draft and gives the Browns the number one CB they’ve been missing since Joe Haden’s healthier days.
  23. Green Bay Packers-CB Josh Jackson, Iowa- The Packers trade back and still upgrade their secondary with one of the best prospects in this draft. Jackson should be able to fill the massive void in the Green Bay secondary from day one.
  24. Carolina Panthers– TE Mike Gesicki, Penn State- Gesicki is a freak. He can split wide or play on the line and give Cam another option in the passing game.
  25. Tennessee Titans– WR Calvin Ridley, Alabama- After Corey Davis and Rishard Matthews the Titans wide outs are sketchy at best. Ridley can step in immediately as a deep threat and make a difference.
  26. Atlanta Falcons– DL Maurice Hurts, Michigan- Hurst is a monster on the defensive line who can get to the QB and will be a welcome addition on the Falcons roster.
  27. New Orleans Saints– TE Dallas Goedert, South Dakota State- Benjamin Watson isn’t getting younger and Goedert is an all around good tight end who is smooth and athletic and has very good hands. He can help instantly and also fill a void for the future.
  28. Pittsburgh Steelers– LB Leighton Vander Esch, Boise State- Vander Esch is big, strong, and athletic and can help fill the Ryan Shazier sized void for the Steelers instantly.
  29. Jacksonville Jaguars– LB Rashaan Evans, Alabama- Paul Posluszny retired this offseason, leaving a void in the vaunted Jags defense. Evans lives in the backfield and is extremely instinctive and should be able to start immediately.
  30. Minnesota Vikings– C Billy Price, Ohio State- Price is talented enough to come in and start at guard and fill an immediate void for the Vikings. He can play all three interior line spots.
  31. New England Patriots– QB Mason Rudolph, Oklahoma State- After getting their left tackle earlier in the first round, the Pats grab the heir apparent to Tom Brady with Rudolph. He doesn’t have the strongest arm but is more than accurate enough to step in and learn from the future first ballot hall of famer and become the future of the Patriots for years to come.
  32. Philadelphia Eagles– RB Derrius Guice, LSU- An instinctive wrecking ball of a ball of a back to add to an already talented backfield for the world champs. Guice may be the best RB in this draft when all is said and done.

Round Two

33. Cleveland Browns- OT Connor Williams, Texas

34. New York Giants- RB Ronald Jones II, USC

35. Cleveland Browns- DL Taven Bryan, Florida

 

Browns, NFL

Predicting the Browns 53 Man Roster

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Following a 4-0 preseason, the Browns will be faced with some tough decisions as they cut the roster from 90 players to 53 by 4 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.

Here are my predictions for each spot:

QB (3)

DeShone Kizer, Cody Kessler, Kevin Hogan

RB (3)

Isaiah Crowell, Duke Johnson, Matthew Dayes

FB (1)

Dan Vitale

WR (6)

Corey Coleman, Kenny Britt, Rashard Higgins, Ricardo Louis, Jordan Leslie, Rannel Hall. Could also see Hall or Leslie being let go in favor of a waiver wire pickup.

TE (3)

David Njoku, Seth DeValve, Randall Telfair

OLine (8)

Joe Thomas, Joel Bitonio, JC Tretter, Kevin Zeitler, Shon Coleman, John Greco, Austin Reiter, Rod Johnson

DE (5)

Myles Garrett, Emmanuel Ogbah, Tyrone Holmes, Carl Nassib, Nate Orchard

DT (5)

Danny Shelton, Jamie Meder, Larry Ogunjobi, Trevon Coley, Caleb Brantley

LB (6)

Christian Kirksey, Jamie Collins, Joe Schobert, Dominique Alexander, probably two waiver guys.

CB (5)

Jason McCourty, Jamar Taylor, Briean Boddy-Calhoun, Marcus Burley, Trey Caldwell

S (5)

Jabrill Peppers, Derrick Kindred, Ibraheim Campbell, Kai Nacua, Calvin Pryor III

Special Teams (3)

K Zane Gonzalez

P Britton Colquitt

LS Charlie Hughlett

Practice Squad players from current roster: Channing Stribling, Najee Murray, Kenneth Olugbode, BJ Bello, Karter Schult

Browns, Draft, NFL

Browns Sign Njoku

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The Cleveland Browns announced that they have  signed first-round pick TE David Njoku to his four-year rookie contract on Thursday. 

The Browns have now signed nine of their 10 2017 draft picks, including DL Myles Garrett (first round), QB DeShone Kizer (second round), DL Larry Ogunjobi (third round), DB Howard Wilson (fourth round), OL Rod Johnson (fifth round), DL Caleb Brantley (sixth round), K Zane Gonzalez (seventh round) and RB Matthew Dayes (seventh round). Only first round selection Jabril Peppers remains unsigned. 

Njoku, the 29th selection overall in the 2017 NFL draft, played 26 career games at Miami (Fl) and finished his career with 1060 yards on 64 catches. He is expected to challenge for immediate playing time on the Browns offense. 

Browns, NFL

Kizer Signs Rookie Deal

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The Cleveland Browns and rookie QB DeShone Kizer have agreed to terms on four-year rookie contract. The deal is worth just under $5 million and includes a $1.7 million signing bonus. 

Kizer, the 52nd overall pick in the 2017 draft out of Notre Dame, is expected to begin the season as the third quarterback on the depth chart. He has seen most of his snaps in this weeks minicamp with the first teamers however and has looked decent, but like a rookie, in his limited action. 

The Toledo native will be a project but has the skills to be a very good quarterback in the NFL. 

Browns, Draft

Browns Get Defensive in Round Three

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The Cleveland Browns selected Charlotte defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi with the first pick in the third round, 65th overall, in the 2017 NFL Draft.

The senior interior lineman is 6’3″ and 305 pounds and very athletic for a man his size. He had 13.0 career sacks in his career and showed that he can not only get to the passer but also set the edge in the run game. He plays with a low center of gravity and has great hands. He will be thrown into the mix on a deep defensive line squad and could start between Danny Shelton and Myles Garrett.

The son of Nigerian immigrants, Ogunjobi did not start playing football until his sophomore year of high school.

Cleveland does not have anymore picks on day two of the draft, they will not pick again until the 5th round (145 overall).

Browns, NFL

Browns Cut Barnidge

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After the Browns moved back into the first round last night to select tight end David Njoku, Gary Barnidge, being the excellent human being and teammate that he is, tweeted out a welcome to the rookie.

barnidge

Less than 18 hours later, Barnidge sent out another tweet that shows the awful truth of the NFL as he said goodbye to the team that gave him his chance to showcase his talents.

barnidge2

Barnidge, a pro bowl player in 2015, was not as good in 2016 with less than 630 yards recieving. In fairness, nobody was good on the Browns in 2016.

The move isn’t that surprising after the addition of Seth DeValve in the 2016 draft and Njoku in 2017. The Browns as a team are getting younger with only four players above the age of 28 and Barnidge was being pushed out by the rookies, so rather than leave him on the roster as a mentor who wouldn’t see the field much, the team has let him go so that he has time to join someone else and for his sake, hopefully win.

Barnidge was a good player during his time in Cleveland, but was an amazing man in the community off of the field. His twitter page was always full of fan interaction, including chances for movie nights with his teammates and a group of lucky fans.

OAB365 and this writer wish Barnidge the best in the future.