The Cleveland Browns had 27 rookies and first-year players in Berea for a three-day minicamp over the weekend. Here is some takeaways from the weekend.
Fred Greetham
s
BEREA, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns just completed a three-day minicamp with 27 players, overall, including 15 rookies, six first-year players and six players invited on a tryout basis. Of the rookies, six were drafted in 2024 and eight were signed as undrafted rookie free agents and one was an international player.
Kevin Stefanski said the coaching staff views the minicamp as a chance to orient the rookies on the Browns systems and operations, as much as it is teaching and coaching.
"We look at it as this week is the start," Stefanski said on Friday. "Then going into next week, it's really ramping these guys up as quickly as possible so that when they get dropped into the general population, they kind of know what the system's about, they know what the coaches are about, they know what to expect in the meeting room.
"All of this is a process," he said. "They're going to be overwhelmed today with information and that's okay. We have time to work through it. It may feel like they're drinking out of the fire hose with some of the things we give them, but that's a very natural reaction to getting new information. A lot of it, there's no secret to it, there's no snap your fingers and figure it out. It's just, sit down and spend as much time with the playbook as you can."
1. New Coaches
It was the first chance to see new offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey on the field working with the players as he begins bringing the new players up to speed with the Browns system that has begun to be implemented since the beginning of the offseason.
#Browns new OC Ken Dorsey at rookie minicamp pic.twitter.com/8hLt3Av3R6
— Fred Greetham (@FredGreetham9) May 10, 2024
In addition, new offensive line coach Andy Dickerson was able to begin to work with four new offensive linemen, including guards Zak Zinter and Javion Cohen, in addition to offensive tackles Lorenzo Thompson and international player Roy Mbaeteka.
#Browns newest O linemen, including Zak Zinter (70) pic.twitter.com/JTMLRQdzyG
— Fred Greetham (@FredGreetham9) May 10, 2024
2. Top Pick Impresses
The camp was the first time to get a look at second-round pick, defensive tackle Michael Hall. Although there was no contact or pads, Hall displayed his quickness and explosiveness in drills. Hall said he has a goal to be Rookie of the Year.
taking down everything in his path ?@MichaelHallJr_ | #DawgPound pic.twitter.com/jwgwLZjsoS
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) May 11, 2024
"Yeah, of course," he said. "I feel like anyone has that goal, you'd be a fool not to in this business."
3. Zinter Fulfills Goal
Third-round draft pick, guard Zak Zinter said after the draft that his goal was to be on the field for rookie minicamp. Zinter achieved the goal and practiced on the field for the first time since breaking his leg against Ohio State in the final regular season game.
#Browns Zak Zinter working on technique at rookie minicamp on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/H8FfNUrFdS
— Fred Greetham (@FredGreetham9) May 11, 2024
#Browns Zak Zinter said playing in a pro style offense prepared him for the NFL pic.twitter.com/oEcRnHg61y
— Fred Greetham (@FredGreetham9) May 11, 2024
4. Thrash Flash
Browns fifth-round draft choice, wide receiver Jamari Thrash was able to show his skills in passing drills during the minicamp. Thrash is known for his ability to get separation on defenders. Even thought there was little opportunity to do so in the brief camp, Thrash is going to have a chance to compete with Cedric Tillman and David Bellin training camp.
#Browns Jamari Thrash running a route on Saturday at rookie minicamp. pic.twitter.com/XJj5GZlmEw
— Fred Greetham (@FredGreetham9) May 11, 2024
5. Bookie's World
Linebacker Nathaniel Watsonmade his debut in a Browns uniform. Watson, who is known as 'Bookie', was the SEC Defensive Player of the Year at Mississippi State, as well as the conference's top tackler with 137 and co-leader in sacks with 10.
#Browns LB Nathaniel Watson pic.twitter.com/ghhsQel49N
— Fred Greetham (@FredGreetham9) May 10, 2024
Watson was termed a 'tackling machine' by one draft guide. He also explained why he was in college for six year. Besides playing football, he was busy earning two degrees, including a Master's degree.
#Browns Nathaniel Watson on why he was in college for 6 years, getting 2 degrees, including a master’s degree. pic.twitter.com/oQy4pqcyh9
— Fred Greetham (@FredGreetham9) May 10, 2024
6. SD Cornerback Excels in Slot
Browns seventh-round pick, cornerback Myles Harden, said despite playing at South Dakota, he played against top competition, such as Missouri, which helped his overall game.
"I did a lot to prepare my game mentally," Harden said. "Just being able to diagnose film, and watch the little details that they could give me to help me play faster. I feel like that helped me play faster that game and had the game I had."
#Browns CB Myles Harden said playing some of the SEC teams helped him prepare for the NFL pic.twitter.com/8i0HOCvhB9
— Fred Greetham (@FredGreetham9) May 11, 2024
Many of the cornerbacks drafted play on the outside, but Harden played mostly in the slot and embraces the role.
"I did it in college, like, the past two years," he said. "I started moving inside and playing inside. So I'm open to it"
#Browns CB Myles Harden (25) at rookie camp pic.twitter.com/McD97U04tL
— Fred Greetham (@FredGreetham9) May 10, 2024
7. Family Man Jowon
Browns seventh-round draft pick, defensive tackleJowon Briggshas a lot of motivation to make it in the NFL. Briggs has a wife and three children as he joins the Browns.
#Browns 7th round pick DT Jowon Briggs on having a focus with a family depending on him with a wife and 3 kids. pic.twitter.com/vIQ7FPJ19B
— Fred Greetham (@FredGreetham9) May 10, 2024
"I mean, I think it's everything," he said. "Everybody has their why, but you know, it's a big thing to have your why, and it's a really big thing to love. It's a really big thing to love football, but it's a little bit different when you have somebody else depending on you. And I got four people depending on me immediately, so that kind of amps up the urgency to the things and just really makes me take advantage of every single second out there."
#Browns Michael Hall (51) and Jowon Briggs (53) under the watchful eye of Jim Schwartz pic.twitter.com/mYw7FIzQlB
— Fred Greetham (@FredGreetham9) May 10, 2024
The Browns also had eight undrafted rookie free agents in camp. Here's some info on those players.
8. Big Back from BYU
Running back Aidan Robbinsbrings size to the position. The rookie from BYU is 6-2, 237 and is 23-years old. Robbins rushed for 1,545 yards with 11 touchdowns at three difference colleges, including Louisville, UNLV and BYU. Robbins had 1,009 yards and nine touchdowns in 2022 at UNLV.
#Browns UDFA running back Aidan Robbins (49) takes his turn at rookie minicamp pic.twitter.com/urCMy2rNLY
— Fred Greetham (@FredGreetham9) May 11, 2024
9. Ride 'em Cowboy
Undrafted free agent tight end Treyton Welch from Wyoming has a chance to compete for a roster spot with the current tight ends on the roster. Behind Pro Bowl tight end,David Njoku, only Jordan Akins, Zaire Mitchell-Paden and Welch are currently on the roster behind Njoku. Last seasons backup, Harrison Bryant, signed with the Raiders as a free agent.
Welch had 77 receptions for 874 yards (11.4 avg.) and nine touchdowns in his four-year career for the Cowboys.
#Browns UDFA TE Treyton Welch catching a pass at rookie minicamp pic.twitter.com/hcazANG530
— Fred Greetham (@FredGreetham9) May 11, 2024
Akins joined the Browns as a free agent last season but had just 15 receptions and no touchdowns. Welch and Mitchell-Paden were at the rookie minicamp. Mitchell-Paden has been on the Browns practice squad the previous two seasons.
10. Brown Sits Out Saturday
Rookie undrafted free agent wide receiver Ahmarean Brown did not practice on Saturday after arriving in time for Friday's practice. Brown was not on the original list when the Browns announced their undrafted free agents on Friday. Brown was seen with a wrap on his leg during practice, but he did not take part in drills. Brown was reported to have received a bonus of $150,000 to sign with the Browns. Brown had 92 receptions for 1,136 yards (12.3 avg.) with nine touchdowns in his five-year college career.
#Browns WRs Jamari Thrash (80) and Ahmarean Brown (87) pic.twitter.com/hinvjihDeK
— Fred Greetham (@FredGreetham9) May 10, 2024
Brown (5-8, 170) played two seasons at Georgia Tech and the final three at South Carolina. He had 26 receptions for 265 yards (10.2 avg.) last season.
11. Five Wide Receivers in Camp, One Quarterback
The Browns had five rookie wide receivers in the minicamp in Thrash, Brown and three wide receivers on tryouts, including Jourdan Townsend, Tyrese Chambersand Clevan Thomas. Townsend was from Delaware, while Chambers played at Maryland and Thomas at Montana State.
Besides the five wide receivers, the Browns had two tight ends with Welch and Mitchell-Paden. However, there was only one quarterback throwing the passes and he was not on the roster.
Jacob Sirmon, a tryout player from Northern Colorado, was the lone quarterback in camp. Sirmon (6-4, 235) will turn 25 on May 30.
(Updated: On Sunday, the Browns announced that they had signed Sirmon to a contract after the minicamp.) He is now the fifth quarterback under contract on the current roster.
12. First Years Join Rookies
The Browns had six first-year players join the rookies for the weekend, including safety Vincent Gray, tight end Zaire Mitchell-Paden, linebacker Caleb Johnson, defensive tackle Jayden Peevy, defensive end Lonnie Phelps and offensive tackle Roy Mbaeteka.
13. White Face Masks
The Browns minicamp marked the first time this season the team practiced with their new-look, white face masks.
First look at #Browns in white face masks pic.twitter.com/CJuzC3fifq
— Fred Greetham (@FredGreetham9) May 10, 2024
