GM Andrew Berry even brought in former Ohio State Buckeyes star, and former third-round pick, Wyatt Davis after the completion of mandatory minicamp.
As competition heats up, a few of Berry’s recent draft picks were listed as a part of complicated Browns roster decisions between veterans and young players:
Second-year defensive end Isaiah McGuire should make the team as the fifth pass rusher, but neither McGuire nor 2023 third-round defensive tackle Siaki Ika played much as rookies. Luke Wypler will compete with Dunn, Brian Allen and potentially Germain Ifedi for a backup interior offensive line job.
It is also noted that this year’s draft class has two roster locks, Michael Hall Jr. and Zak Zinter, with Nathaniel Watson noted as a special teams rostered player. That leaves James Thrash, Myles Harden and Jowon Biggs as roster bubble players.
Along with McGuire, Ika, Wypler, Bell, Thrash, Harden and Biggs being on the bubble, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, from the 2023 draft class, is noted as a potential trade candidate.
Given the names noted in the piece, seven of the 13 draft picks in the last two years are fighting for roster spots. That is assuming Watson makes the team due to his special teams abilities.
The tough part of having a very good, deep roster is that young players are not given as many reps and far less time to develop before contending teams move on from them. The numbers game and the need to fill holes immediately sometimes becomes just too much. Cleveland seems to be in that position going into the 2024 season which could see some players jettisoned before they ever see a game for the team or after one season in the league.
