The Browns have signed several undrafted free agents after the 2021 NFL Draft.
The Browns took an interesting step this year, signing just five undrafted free agents following the 2021 NFL Draft. This is a big change to past years where Cleveland signed 15 undrafted free agents in 2020 and another 15 in 2019. That was a strong sign that the Browns weren’t happy with the roster by and large, which is no longer the case.
The two biggest names from those crop of signings were punter Jamie Gillian and fourth-string tight end Stephen Carlson.
Could one of these five undrafted free agents be the next Gillian or Carlson? A guy who can start or at the very least, make the team as a player to fill out the positional depth? That’s a toss-up question that can’t be answered at the start of May. So let’s get to know who these players are.
Marvin Wilson, DT Florida State
"Age: 22 Height: Nearly 6’3 Weight: 303 lbs 40 Yard Dash: 5:09 20 Yard Shuffle: 4:83 3 Cone Drill: 7:71 225lbs Bench: 23"
Described as a man with great size, who was a rising prospect at Florida State until his Junior season when he stopped improving. DraftNetwork claimed he was a player who would be a nice addition in pass-rushing downs, but by ProFootballNetwork said he’s a player with no real pass-rushing abilities. Marvin Wilson doesn’t seem likely to make the Browns at this rate. Especially if the best part of his game is nearly non-existent.
WalterFootball calls him a “quality run defender”, despite everywhere else saying he wouldn’t be able to do so at the next level. It pretty much sounds like he’s not great at any one thing, nor does seem to have any skillset that would transfer well to the NFL level. When evaluations are this all over the place, it’s usually because evaluators are trying to find something, anything, nice to say about the guy.
Here’s what we know about him; he has nice measurables. He’s strong, which is needed upfront, and he’s also quick for a man who’s 300 lbs. As a three-technique or even a five-technique tackle, there might be some value here. For those not familiar, a three-technique is when a defensive player lines up on the outside shoulder of a guard. Five-technique is over a tackle and used more in a 3-4 defensive alignment, with tackles often playing defensive ends in those fronts.
So he does have some versatility and that’s the best thing to say about him.
Emmanuel Rugamba, CB Miami(OH)
"Age: 23 Height: 5’11 Weight: 198 pounds 40 Yard Dash: 4.74 20 Yard Shuffle: 4.28 3 Cone Drill: 6.94 225lbs Bench: 10"
Emmanuel Rugamba doesn’t have the measurables but he does have the performances to make you think he can be something in the NFL. In his junior year at Miami, after transferring from Iowa, Rugamba had 85 tackles, eight pass breakups, and an interception, while being named Defensive MVP of the 2019 MAC Championship game as well.
Not bad for a junior year outing. The problem with Rugamba falls squarely on the fact he’s not very athletic for a position that requires people to be athletic.
The Browns are more than set at cornerback with four viable and potential starters on their roster, not to mention any others that may come in before now and training camp. There’s also a highly-touted prospect from last year’s crop of undrafted free agents; A.J. Green.
So it may seem like Rugamba may have a very hard time making the team with all the obstacles that he’s currently facing. Usually, slow corners are moved to safety in the NFL if they can tackle, and Rugamba can, but the Browns all of a sudden got pretty deep at safety after drafting a few hybrid linebackers.
So there may not be room there either for him.
Romeo McKnight, DE Charlotte
"Age: 23 Height: 6’4 Weight: 252 lbs 40 Yard Dash: 4.98 20 Yard Shuffle: 7.20 3 Cone Drill: 7.06 225lbs Bench: N/A"
Romeo McKnight bounced all around as a collegiate player. Going from Iowa to Illinois State and finally ending up with Charlotte. During his time with Illinois State, McKnight did lead the team in sacks with 12 in 2019. and was fourth in the conference. He only had five tackles for a loss and one and a half sacks at Charlotte but did all that in just five games.
There’s certainly potential here for McKnight to be a good pass rusher. The big issue working against him is that he’s not overly fast or quick, and his strength is suspect. If he’s going to be a viable option as an end, he needs one of those three things. He either needs to beat the tackle off the snap, needs to be able to close the distance quickly, or be able to use his power to get past blocks.
If he can’t do any of those, he’ll never be successful.
The saving grace for McKnight is a lack of depth at the position. So if he’s able to impress enough people during the preseason, then it’s entirely possible that McKnight could be on the practice team at the very least. It seems unlikely he’ll make the 53 man roster at this stage but anything’s possible at this point.
Tre Harbison III, RB Charlotte
"Age: 22 Height: 5’10 Weight: 216 lbs 40 Yard Dash: 4.62 20 Yard Shuffle: 4.50 3 Cone Drill: 7.18 225lbs Bench: 16"
While not overly fast, Tre Harbison III does have some value. He rushed for two straight seasons of 1,000 yards in Northern Illinois before transferring to Charlotte for the Covid-shortened season. He’s not overly fast at a 4.62 40-yard dash, but he’s quick and has decent strength for someone his size.
The DraftNetwork describes his best fit as being part of a blocking offense just like the Browns, which may help his value and his ability to break off big plays. He’s not much of a receiver out of the backfield, but with the abundance of options at receiver, that’s not a huge issue and won’t affect him too much. Though, it would’ve helped greatly if he was a better pass-catching option.
Maybe the biggest knock against him is lack of mobility with scouts claiming he has no juke ability, has problems cutting while running, and isn’t much for pass blocking. A serious project if there ever was one.
Kiondre Thomas, CB Kansas State
"Age: 23 Height: 5’11 Weight: 186 lbs 40 Yard Dash: 4.44 20 Yard Shuffle: 4.35 3 Cone Drill: 6.94 225lbs Bench:10"
A self-described “physical” player, Kiondre Thomas has just enough high marks in the measurables department to warrant real consideration to make the team. He played for Minnesota for three seasons before moving to Kansas State, and in that time he showed his ability to play some solid run defense as a corner.
Like with any undrafted corner in 2021 that the Browns may be interested in, there’s not a lot of room at the corner position anymore. The team added one corner, one safety, and two hybrid linebacker/safety players in the NFL Draft. There’s not much room for Thomas if he’s not a complete shut-down rookie player right out of the gate.
The Browns do need some depth because even though they have four starting-caliber corners in Greg Newsome, Greedy Williams, Denzel Ward, and Troy Hill, they need a fifth and maybe even a sixth corner on standby just in case.
It’s possible that 2020 undrafted free agent A.J. Green may be one of the guys they have their eye on, and if that’s true, then maybe Thomas can be the other.