3 Reasons Undrafted Rookie Lonnie Phelps Could Make Browns Roster
Undrafted rookie Lonnie Phelps might be good enough to convince the Cleveland Browns to keep a sixth edge rusher on their 53-man roster. He has the physical tools and the "see ball, get ball" mindset that Jim Schwartz looks for in his edge rushers with the added bonus of being able to contribute on special teams.
The Browns signed Kansas defensive end Lonnie Phelps to a guaranteed $250,000 contract immediately following the 2023 NFL Draft. That's more guaranteed money than some fifth round draft picks make. This shows that Cleveland at least believes in him as a player and wanted to make sure that they were able to lock him up as an undrafted free agent. Though he's obviously not guaranteed a roster spot, he possesses a lot of the qualities that Jim Schwartz wants to add to this current Cleveland Browns defense.
Several NFL Draft analysts had Phelps rated as a fifth to sixth round pick heading into draft weekend. It was surprising to watch him go undrafted, but it was understandable when it comes to his lack of ideal measurables. Though he's a tad undersized, he plays with a great motor and attack mentality. He plays with fairly good technique and consistently manages to show good balance and hand usage. Phelps shows great potential as a designated pass rusher in the NFL.
1. Jim Schwartz could keep six edge rushers on the active roster.
Based on Jim Schwartz's past defensive line constructions and rotations, keeping six defensive ends wouldn't be totally out of the question. He values players who can be effective when rushing the passer, regardless of their specific position.
There's a world where Jim Schwartz and Andrew Berry favor keeping a guy like Lonnie Phelps as a sixth edge rusher, rather than feeling obligated to retain Trysten Hill or Perrion Winfrey as a fifth defensive tackle. Comparing this defensive line group as a whole to some of Schwartz's past units, it looks like one that would lean towards keeping four defensive tackles and six defensive ends. This theory is even more realistic when it comes to Cleveland's plan for Za'Darius Smith. It appears that he'll periodically be acting as a pseudo-defensive tackle or interior pass rusher, which leads to the next reason.
2. Za'Darius Smith could play inside a lot more than people think.
There's absolutely no doubt that Za'Darius Smith is a dominant NFL edge rusher, but he's also effective inside at defensive tackle. Throughout the last two to three seasons specifically, he's shown the uncanny ability to pressure the quarterback between the tackles as well.
Schwartz could end up using him inside quite a bit in 2023, especially with a player like Ogbonnia Okoronkwo on the roster as well. A package of Myles Garrett, Dalvin Tomlinson, Za'Darius Smith, and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo is incredibly intriguing. The Browns lack depth and playmaking at defensive tackle behind Tomlinson as it is, so Smith could help contribute at that spot more often than currently anticipated.
If Jim Schwartz sees Za'Darius Smith as a "tweener" in this defense and wants to consistently play his best four or five defensive linemen as much as possible, then there's going to be a depth spot for a guy like Lonnie Phelps.
The defensive line could be constructed like this if Phelps were to make the team:
Defensive Tackles: Dalvin Tomlinson, Siaki Ika, Jordan Elliott, and Maurice Hurst.
Defensive Ends: Myles Garrett, Za'Darius Smith, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Isaiah McGuire, Alex Wright, and Lonnie Phelps.
3. Lonnie Phelps is a great player, and Cleveland knows it.
On day three of the 2023 NFL Draft, there were rumors floating around that the Browns were actually targeting Phelps with their final pick. They ultimately decided to trade that pick to Baltimore in order to accrue more 2024 NFL draft capital.
As soon as the draft ended, Andrew Berry swooped in and gave Phelps a sizeable UDFA contract. The Browns seemingly did their due diligence on Lonnie Phelps heading into the draft, and they were ultimately able to acquire him without having to spend draft capital.
He's an incredibly twitchy player, with above average burst and quickness in the same mold as current Browns free agent addition Ogbo Okoronkwo. He also has an incredibly strong and put-together upper body as well, having performed 31 reps of 225 Lbs. at the NFL Combine in February.
Phelps also provides the team with an energetic, productive special teams player as well. He was known throughout his collegiate career as a devastating "headhunter" on kickoff and punt teams. He'd provide the team with solid rotational pass rush reps as well as a committed special teams ace, with an exponential amount of room for growth.
