With a roster as good as the Cleveland Browns have, the rookies are going to have to earn their spots, to say the very least. This is a Browns team that has been extremely active in free agency and on the trade market, and with the depth they already had going into the 2024 NFL Draft, some of these incoming rookies could be looking at the practice squad at best.
They might even just be auditioning for the other 31 NFL teams as members of the Browns this offseason.
Whether they play at deep position groups or simply need more seasoning, which Browns rookies might be in danger of not making the 53-man roster in 2024?
1. Myles Harden, CB, South Dakota (7th round)
The Browns seemingly got a really nice value in Myles Harden here in the 7th round of the 2024 NFL Draft. You hold out hope that a player like this can crack your roster somehow because the developmental potential is there and you don't want to risk losing him by putting him on waivers.
But the Browns are currently pretty deep at the cornerback position, especially at the top. Denzel Ward, Martin Emerson, and Greg Newsome make up the starting trio for Cleveland at corner, and the Browns already have 2023 fifth-round pick Cameron Mitchell on the roster as well as special teams ace Justin Hardee who was signed away from the Jets this offseason.
It's always going to be tough for a 7th-round pick to make the final roster but especially with how good this Cleveland secondary is, the former FCS All-American Harden is going to have to be on top of his game at every turn of the offseason program.
2. Jowon Briggs, DL, Cincinnati (7th round)
One of the deepest position groups on the entire Cleveland Browns roster is on the defensive line, and that includes both defensive ends and interior linemen. Jowon Briggs was brought in to add depth and a developmental option to the interior defensive line, but what kind of uphill battle is he facing?
The Browns' top players at the position right now include:
- Dalvin Tomlinson
- Shelby Harris
- Maurice Hurst
- Quinton Jefferson
- Siaki Ika (last year's third-round pick)
- Michael Hall Jr. (this year's second-round pick)
Unless the Browns keep more than six guys on the interior defensive line alone, it's going to be tough for Briggs to make this final roster. He's a hustler and someone who gives high effort every single play, so you can't really count him out at this point, either. But the reality given the current state of the roster, barring injuries, is that the seventh-rounder out of Cincinnati is going to have to put his best foot forward this offseason and hope the Browns bring him back after roster cuts for a year on the practice squad.
3. Jamari Thrash, WR, Louisville (5th round)
The Cleveland Browns took former Georgia State transfer Jamari Thrash -- who finished his college career at Louisville -- in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL draft. You certainly aren't taking guys in the 5th round and expecting to cut them going into your offseason program, but this is a deep group of receivers right now in Cleveland.
Here's what Lance Zierlein of NFL.com said about Thrash:
"Thrash makes up with speed what he gives away with play strength. He has an extensive history of stretching the field, showing an ability to find a second gear on deep routes or on short catches that turn into chunk plays. He’ll have some issues against NFL press, but formational consideration could help in that regard. Thrash has the physical ability to run a more complete route tree as a pro, but a lack of hand strength and frame size create too many drops and losses on contested catches. Thrash has the potential to work inside or outside but has excessive feast-or-famine qualities."Lance Zierlein
When you read a scouting report like that, it's easy to see there are traits and skills to like with a player like Thrash, but there is also a possible developmental period needed. The question becomes -- are the Browns going to be able to get him through to the practice squad?
Thrash is going to enter the NFL behind Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy, Elijah Moore, Cedric Tillman, David Bell, Jaelon Darden, and James Proche. You can't fault the Broncos for taking playmakers, especially on Day 3 of the NFL Draft, but Thrash may need some time to eventually crack this team.