Browns Sign 15 Players to Futures Contracts
The Cleveland Browns didn't waste time on Monday, signing 14 players to futures deals.
Many of the names are familiar names that have been hanging around much of the season, be it on the edges of the active roster or the practice squad.
Elijah Benton, S Liberty - Productive safety that has no less upside than many of the players at his position that will be available later in the NFL Draft this year. He led the Flames in both solo tackles and pass deflections in his final year.
JaMarkus Bradley, WR Louisiana Lafeyette - Bradley was on the practice squad all season, but had to be activated for a handful of games. When the Browns lost their wide receiver room for their game against the New York Jets, Bradley caught five passes and looked pretty solid in the process. A receiver in the mold of someone like Rashard Higgins.
Jordan Franks, TE UCF - He is only 24 years old despite the fact he's been out of college since 2017. He's largely been viewed as an H-back type player.
A.J. Green, CB Oklahoma State - The Browns liked Green enough to guarantee him a good amount of money to sign as an undrafted free agent. He has experience as a Cover-3 corner and was with the Browns all season, having to play a little bit in the playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Cordel Iwuagwu, G TCU - One of the later adds to the offensive line room as part of the practice squad, Iwuagwu never played a snap this season. He does have a little experience snapping the ball.
John Kelly, RB Tennessee - Short, thick running back that played great at Tennessee, but did not test particularly well. Decent runner who caught a ton of passes in college.
Kyle Lauletta, QB Richmond - Lauletta has been around the NFL a little while. Drafted by the New York Giants, he was set to start a game before he was arrested for eluding police and resisting arrest. Lauletta has been with the Browns as a member of the practice squad and spent some time with the Atlanta Falcons.
Cameron Malveaux, DE Houston - Malveaux is older, 26 years old, but the Browns promoted Malveaux when they had COVID-19 issues that sapped their defensive line depth and he was promoted and utilized over Joe Jackson, who was on the active roster. Malveaux offers the size profile the Browns have thus preferred, played hard when given opportunities.
Kyle Markway, TE South Carolina - Markway has shown some ability to attack down the seam as a receiver and has the frame to be a pretty good size to block. It's a position critical to the Browns despite three are currently under contract for 2021.
Matt McCrane, K Kansas State - McCrane was with the Browns all season as a member of the practice squad. They already have their competition for Cody Parkey, who had a rough stretch at one point in the season after taking over for Austin Seibert.
Montrel Meander, LB Grambling State - Seemingly always around for the Browns, Meander originally came to the Browns as an undrafted free agent safety that has grown into a linebacker.
Javon Patterson, C/G Ole Miss - Patterson was signed as a reserve interior lineman on the practice squad. He was unavailable for the Browns due to COVID-19 when he might have been needed and the Browns stuck with Blake Hance and Anthony Fabiano, but clearly they are intrigued by what Patterson can offer.
Johnny Stanton, FB UNLV - The former quarterback turned fullback seems like he's pretty safe to remain Andy Janovich's fullback. He knows Stefanski's offense well.
Alex Taylor, OT South Carolina State - Of all the names on here, Taylor is the one that bears watching the most. He grew quite a bit between the Senior Bowl and by the time he was waived with an injury designation ahead of the season. He may have a shot to secure the role Kendall Lamm had this past season.
Derrick Willies, WR Texas Tech - Willies is a size, speed receiver that has an NFL body. Injuries have gotten in the way of what might have already been, but he's still young enough where he could find a way to stick.
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