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May 16, 2014NFL News: Browns release wide receiver Greg Little
May 16, 2014The 2014 NFL Draft was one of the deepest drafts in recent history and there could be more undrafted free agents who can make a NFL team. The Browns have open roster spots that could be filled with some of these players. The Browns were very active in getting the top undrafted players at positions of need. The NFL is full of undrafted free agents, who have come in and made a big impact in the league. With the Browns rookie camp coming up this weekend, here are five undrafted free agents I believe have a chance to make the Browns and make an impact in the NFL.
1. RB Isaiah Crowell, Alabama State
Alabama State’s Isaiah Crowell was a highly rated recruit coming out of high school, but fell into trouble causing his inconsistent college career. Crowell started at Georgia but then left to transfer to Alabama State after getting in trouble with the law. Crowell has the talent to be an NFL caliber running back. He has good vision and can make one cut and explode pass defenders. He has the agility and strength to get through defenders and take the ball up field for a big gain. The biggest flaws with him are his character and pass blocking. He must prove to the Browns that he is mature enough to be a professional. He will need to be a better blocker and show willingness to be a team player. He could definitely make the team because of the lack of depth at the position and because of his overall talent. He could be a change of pace back for the Browns and give them another player to hand the ball off, while Ben Tate and Terrance West get a rest.
*****
2. WR Willie Snead, Ball State
Ball State’s Willie Snead was a very productive player in college with 106 catches, 1,516 yards, and 15 touchdowns in 2013. He produced every season and was very competitive. He is a smaller receiver with good hands and a very good route runner. He is a tough player for his size and can make catches in traffic. Snead fits in the NFL as a slot receiver. His biggest flaws are his smaller frame and athleticism. He does not have top speed for a player his size. He will need to use his good hands and route running to make plays in the NFL. The Browns are in need of wide receiver depth and Snead could give them some. He would give the Browns a slot receiver who the quarterback can rely on to make a catch. He also could contribute on special teams because of his toughness and competitiveness.
*****
3. WR Chandler Jones, San Jose State
San Jose State’s Chandler Jones is another smaller receiver, but has good quickness. He was productive last year with 1,356 yards and 15 touchdowns. Jones has great agility and quickness, which allows him to make plays after the catch. Along with his good athleticism, he runs tight routes. He is smart and hard working, which helps make up for his lack of size. He is an explosive player with the ball in his hands. His biggest flaw is his smaller size, only 5-foot-9-inches and 183 pounds. He can get pushed around in press coverage and get stuck trying to get off the line. But I believe he could give the Browns another player who can make big plays. He could be a player the team can give the ball to in a reverse or screen play. The Browns need more playmakers on the offense, so Jones could possibly be the one filling this role as a big play guy.
*****
4. QB Connor Shaw, South Carolina
South Carolina’s Connor Shaw was a productive college player with good accuracy. In his senior season, he threw 24 touchdowns and only had one interception. He has good accuracy that allows him to place the ball where only the receiver can catch it. Shaw is a good athlete with mobility to move around and out of the pocket. Shaw can make plays with his feet, which allows him to get out of trouble. He also is a competitive player with good leadership skills. His biggest deficits are his arm strength, height, and his injury history. He will not be a player who will wow people with his arm power and his size. He also has missed games because of injuries. Shaw will be battling for the third string quarterback spot. He fits well in Kyle Shanahan’s offense because of his mobility and accuracy.
*****
5. S Darwin Cook, West Virginia
West Virginia’s Darwin Cook is a versatile safety who can play both free safety and strong safety. The Cleveland native has good athleticism and tackling ability that allows him to help in coverage and run support. He is pretty fluid in change of direction and quick to get to the ball. His most likely position in the NFL is strong safety because of his good tackling and coverage skills against tight ends. Cook struggles to cover the deep ball and must improve his ability to take the right angle to get to the ball. The Browns could use more depth in the safety positions. Cook would give them a player who can play either safety position. He will be a good special teams player on both punt and kick coverage.
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Photo by: (AP Photo/Jay Sailors)
18 Comments
Great work Rick, I had been wondering that very question… which of the undrafted free agents could help the team. The Browns’ wide receiver corps is a group relatively short guys, but that hasn’t stopped Kyle Shanahan in the past. The Redskins had the same situation.
Great work Rick, I had been wondering that very question… which of the undrafted free agents could help the team. The Browns’ wide receiver corps is a group relatively short guys, but that hasn’t stopped Kyle Shanahan in the past. The Redskins had the same situation.
Great, 2 slot receivers to complete with the 3 slot receivers we already have, a 5th RB, a 4th QB – thank god at least the Safety is a position of need.
I got to see all Crowell’s games at UGA.
IF we can keep his head on straight, he’ll be a fantastic pickup.
IF.
With UDFA’s, need is probably not a huge factor. If any of those guys prove to be good enough to make the roster over somebody we already have it’s a big win, regardless of position.
Bonus video: Isaiah Crowell
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ru7Do25PpZg
Bonus video: Willie Snead
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aujOaHRpKwM
Bonus video: Chandler Jones
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoHzpboIS4o
Bonus video: Connor Shaw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhG_BwqfCzM
Bonus video: Darwin Cook
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXQ5j_Xscwc
1) Crowell is part of a crowd competing for one roster spot that includes Oby, Lewis, Baker and others. He’s a longshot to win that spot, but should at least make the PS if he puts it together.
2,3) I think we keep 6 WR’s, and four stay of Hawkins, Bennet, Austin, Burleson and Benjamin (at least one either cut or lost to injury). That means Snead and Jones are competing for two roster spots with Cooper, Gurley, Johnson and a few others. Not to mention waiver wire pickups and trade possibilities. If one has a chance to stick, it’s probably on the PS.
4) Shaw is competing with Thigpen for the 3rd QB spot. Shaw, who is undersized and a competitor, looks like a good fit to handle a similar playbook as Manziel. Unless he has an awful camp/preseason, he’ll probably get that roster spot.
5) Cook is competing with Bademosi, Aubrey, Slaughter, Poyer and others for two roster spots. Bademosi is a near lock as a special teams ace. Cook is a major longshot, but might find his way onto the PS.
I feel like the Browns are full of slot receivers. Is this some new trend they are trying to start?
Going into the draft, I was kind of hoping the Browns would draft Connor Shaw with a late draft pick. I was thrilled that the Browns signed him. I really hope he makes the team, and I think there’s an outside chance he could one day be a legit NFL QB.
He would seem to fit the mold of a Hoyer and Manziel hopefully he makes the team.
I think they fit the Shanahan type of system better.
Announcer really likes to call the football “the rock”
Nice routes. Quits his blocks too early, though.
I also liked him (and pushed for him hard) but really view him as a really good backup long-term that might have a couple fill-in stretches where he makes you wonder. The Kelly Holcomb (and likely Brian Hoyer) type career. Absolutely love his style and tenacity too though.
Unless he gets whatever magic potion Brees and Brady did to improve their arm strength. Then, skies the limit.