Browns Officially Sign 11 Undrafted Free Agents
By Eric Szczepinski, TWITTER: @CST_EricS
After following one of the most memorable drafts in Cleveland Browns history, Ray Farmer’s work was not quite done. Immediately following the final round Saturday night the Browns were linked to 26 undrafted players. However the team signed 11 players. These players will part take in the Browns offseason program and have an opportunity to compete for a roster spot. Few of these players I believe have legitimate shots at making the roster. Farmer has again showed his ability to bring in talent with a skilled undrafted free agent pool of players. Highlighting on some notable players signed by the Browns:
1. Isaiah Crowell, Running Back, Alabama St- A 5 star recruit coming out of high school Crowell went to Georgia where he was an instant starter and earned SEC freshman of the Year honors in 2011. His promising Georgia Bulldog career was cut short in 2012 as he was arrested for 3 weapon charges including 2 felonies. The charges were later dropped. Crowell was immediately kicked off the team and transferred to Alabama St. In 2013, his final season at AL-ST, Crowell rushed for 1121 yards and 15 TD’s. Some scouts consider him a top back in this year’s draft class but there were too many red flags to use a draft pick on him. Crowell has great vision and finds running lanes. He also shows he has great improvising ability. He has to instincts and ability to be as good as he wants to be. The sky is the limit for Crowell. The only knock on his kid is his off-field issues. He has all the ability to be the best running back in the 2014 draft class but he must get his head on right and focus on getting his life together and football. The Browns got themselves a steal by placing a free agent flier on Crowell. It was very surprising not to see his name called on day 3 of the draft. I fully expect Isaiah Crowell to make the Cleveland Browns 53 man roster and eventually push Ben Tate and Terrance West for playing time. The browns all of a sudden have a committee of three good backs to hand the ball to.
After reports on Josh Gordon’ possible suspension and the team not drafting any WR the team has signed 5 UDFA Wide Receivers
1. Chandler Jones, Wide Receiver, San Jose St- A 5-foot-9 183 pound receiver, Jones had 79 catches for 1356 yards and 13 touchdowns in his final collegiate season. In watching tape of Jones in found him to be very explosive. He average 17 yards per catch and gets up the field wonderfully. He has an amazing work ethic as he was a preferred walk on at San Jose State and worked his way up being a starter. His obvious flaw is his small build. He ran a 4.34 at his pro day and his speed and work ethic will appeal to the Browns. It will be interesting to see if he can make adjustments from his small frame and excel at the next level. Jones will be in heavy competition with the other UDFA Wide Receivers.
2. Willie Snead IV, Wide Receiver, Ball St- Snead is 5-foot-11, 193 pounds. Snead is one of two Ball St receivers to have back to back 1,000 yard seasons. Snead only a junior left a year early and his draft stock was hurt in a extremely deep WR class. He decided to enter early when his starting QB Keith Wenning’s eligibility was up. Snead ran an average 4.51 at his pro day but runs consistent routes and has superior hands.
3. Jonathan Krause, Wide Receiver, Vanderbilt- At 6-1 and 215 pounds, Krause was the perfect complement to Jordan Matthews in the Commodore’s offense. A senior in 2013, Krause hauled in 42 catches for 714 yards and 3 TD’s. Krause emerged on the scene his senior year following some quite seasons Krause was the deep threat for Vandy. He caught 7 passes of 33 yards of longer in 2013. He was not invited to the NFL combine but at his pro day ran a speedy 4.3. He has great return skills and is able to bring in catches over the middle of the field. His only down fall is having one productive season at Vanderbilt and getting a lot less defensive attention than his counterpart Jordan Matthews.
Rest of Undrafted Signings Quarterback
Connor Shaw- South Carolina
Fullback
Ray Agnew- Southern Illinois University
Wide Receiver
Kenny Shaw- Florida State
Offensive Line
Michael Philipp- Oregon State
Anthony Dima- Massachusetts
Defensive Back
Darwin Cook- West Virginia
Defensive Line
Calvin Barnett- Oklahoma State
