Potential Browns French Canadian Connection?

In her first press availability since joining the organization last May, assistant general manager Catherine Raiche noted that being able to speak three languages does come in handy. A native French speaker from Quebec, Raiche said it can be comforting for a player to have someone make the effort to speak to them in their first language, creating a bond.

"It does help because there are more and more players that are coming in – I am thinking of Matthew Bergeron from Syracuse coming in who speaks French. His English is actually impeccable, which is surprising because he learned it when he got to college. To me, I thought was quite impressive. It does help because you can build some personal connection with some of these players who are French speaking."

One of the best workouts on Sunday at the NFL Combine was turned in by a player named Cheikhe Sidy Sow, an offensive lineman out of Eastern Michigan. Sow hails from a town named Bromont southeast of Montreal in Raiche's home province of Quebec. The Browns may be inclined to see if Raiche can help them potentially recruit Sow, something that may have already started.

Although he played left tackle for Eastern Michigan, he's being listed as a guard prospect. He has great size for the position and has excellent physical tools to develop in the NFL, especially for a unit that is coached by Bill Callahan.

It's possible that Sow will be drafted. After all, the Indianapolis Colts notoriously took the freakiest athletes available with every pick last year regardless of age including multiple 24 year old prospects and Sow would qualify.

Sidy Sow is a OG prospect in the 2023 draft class. He scored a 9.93 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 10 out of 1309 OG from 1987 to 2023. https://t.co/jMdWlR1594 #RAS pic.twitter.com/1un9p107Gm
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 6, 2023

Nevertheless, a player like Sow, who is set to turn 25 in June, could see himself go late or potentially not get drafted at all, which could be a good opportunity for the Browns.

During day three of the draft, one of the tasks that members of organizations have is to call prospects and attempt to recruit them in the event they go undrafted. Sure, prospects wanted to be drafted because of everything that comes with it, but that doesn't stop teams from laying the ground work in case they aren't selected. and at times, it turns out to be a better deal to go undrafted. The money isn't as great but being able to pick the team and find the right fit can be more valuable in an effort to land a lucrative second contract.

That could be based off of an agent figuring out where the player has the best chances of sticking. A good rapport in an interview at an All-Star game or the NFL Scouting Combine certainly helps. Meeting at the player's Pro Day, a private workout or a team visit can help in this process. If the Browns spoke with Sow at the Combine, he and Raiche may have already met and spoken for example.

If Sow were to go undrafted, the opportunity to be coached by Callahan might be tempting enough of an opportunity by itself. The Browns, depending on how they navigate free agency, could be a spot where an undrafted offensive lineman could nab a roster spot. But if it's close between the Browns and another team, perhaps Raiche could make the small difference that gets Sow to sign with the Browns.

With so many teams, it may be unlikely to happen, but on day three of the NFL Draft, Cheikhe Sidy Sow may be a name to watch for the Cleveland Browns.