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Browns

Zinter “looked comfortable” on the first day of rookie minicamp, per head coach Kevin Stefanski. This is the first time Zinter has taken the field since fracturing both his tibia and fibula in Michigan’s win over Ohio State in November. Zinter, who was taken in the third round, was a promising prospect whose draft stock slipped when he was unable to participate at the NFL combine. Michigan’s offense was anchored by a road-grading offensive line, and Zinter’s 73.8 PFF pass-blocking grade and 75.9 PFF run-blocking grade make him one of just two Michigan OL (min. 100 offensive snaps) to best 73.0 in both categories.

Johnson has appeared in just six games since 2021 and didn’t take an offensive snap in 2023 after spending the entire season as a free agent. Johnson entered the league as the all-time leading rusher at the University of Miami and was viewed early on as a versatile every-down back. While he never rushed for more than 410 yards in any of his eight seasons, Johnson had five seasons of 40 or more receptions and went for 400-plus passing yards in each of those seasons. Johnson totaled 5,135 yards from scrimmage and 23 touchdowns in his career.

Berry also noted that Chubb “still has a long way to go.” Chubb continues to work his way back from a brutal knee injury he suffered in Week 2 against the Steelers. The Browns didn’t address running back in the draft but did add veterans D’Onta Foreman and Nyheim Hines earlier this offseason. Reports on Chubb have often been good, with the last coming a few weeks ago when the team announced he had resumed running. Whether or not Chubb is ready for training camp is to be determined, but all signs continue to point in the right direction.

Allen was a fourth-round pick by the Rams in 2018 but was released in February. He’s played in 50 career games in Los Angeles, but injuries over the years have limited him to 32 starts and he ended last season on the injured list after suffering a calf injury in Week 15. The Browns have Ethan Pocic at center, but the only other center on the roster is 2023 sixth-round pick Luke Wypler, so Allen could compete for a back-up spot in Cleveland.

The Browns locked up Newsome for the next two seasons. Newsome has two interceptions over 39 career games with the Browns since the start of the 2021 season. He missed a few games last season with a knee issue and totaled 34 solo tackles, including four tackles for a loss.

Cohen (6’4/324) spent three seasons at Alabama after joining the Tide as a four-star recruit from the 2020 class. He would start in 25 of the 31 games he appeared in for the Tide from 2020 through 2022, but moved on to Miami for the 2023 campaign. A stout lineman along the interior who played at a heavier weight in 2023 than he did in 2022, Cohen has the size to play in the NFL, but it may come at the cost of less speed and athleticism. Cohen underwhelmed in athletic testing at both the combine and Miami’s pro day, earning a RAS of 5.58 that puts him at just above average as far as interior athleticism goes. He may need to shed a few pounds if he hopes to compete at a high level this offseason.

Briggs (6’1/313) began his college career at Virginia but transferred to Cincinnati in 2021. A solid athlete who earned a 7.26 RAS and put up 39 reps on the bench press at his pro day, Briggs was also ranked 78th on Bruce Feldman’s College Football Freaks List for the 2023 season. With 21.5 career TFLs and 12 career sacks to his name, Briggs makes for an interesting player along the interior. He totaled 60 tackles in 2022 on his way to First-Team All-AAC honors. He won’t be competing for a starting spot anytime soon, but could serve as added depth on a 53-man roster out of camp.

Harden (5'10/195) didn’t have a recruiting profile and instead had to grind his way up the South Dakota depth chart to rise above his FCS competition and earn his way into NFL consideration. He was marred by injuries early in his collegiate career, appearing in just 16 games over his first three years, but managed to stay healthy for the full 13-game season at South Dakota in 2023. A smooth mover who makes easy transitions, he has a bend-but-don’t-break approach to coverage, giving up receptions on 30-of-45 targets for a 67% completion rate with a season-long reception of only 27 yards. Harden attacks the ball carrier and wraps up well if he gets his hands on you, posting a well above-average 9.2% missed tackle rate. A wildly productive player who earned Second Team All-American recognition in the FCS, Harden’s 1.52s 10-yard split (90th%), 3.98s shuttle (97th% and 6.88s 3-Cone combine for a strong 8.30 RAS. Slightly undersized but makes up for it in his quickness and physicality, Harden will vie for a nickel/slot role in 2024.

A former three-star recruit, Watson (6’/233) posted impressive numbers during the 2023 season, earning him third team All-American honors and a coveted invite to the Senior Bowl. Finishing with 137 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks. The SEC Defensive Player of the Year posted 46 stops and a solid 70.6 PFF run defense grade during his final season with the Bulldogs. His standout final campaign is insured by a similarly impressive 2022 season in which he finished with 113 total tackles and 49 stops. The MLB prospect is a middling athlete with an ideal size profile and solid 4.63s 40-time but poor agility and explosion scores for a pedestrian 5.03 RAS. Watson’s athletic tradeoffs are reflected in his style of play. In pass coverage, he is unable to keep up with skill players and has limited awareness in zone. While he won’t be a nickel linebacker, he should have no problem stuffing the run at the NFL level. A quick processor when diagnosing the run, Watson uses his hands to stay off blocks and has proven to be an elite tackler throughout his collegiate career. His advanced age and production project him as a third or fourth linebacker who will fight for snaps on early downs.

Thrash (6’0/188) transferred to Louisville for 2023 after breaking out for 62-1123-7 in 2022 while at Georgia State. An uptick in competition didn’t do much to slow Thrash down, as he went for 62-848-6 in his final season. In his final two seasons, Thrash averaged a solid 6.8 YAC per catch while forcing a missed tackle on 26.6 percent of his receptions. He’s a bit undersized for an outside receiver but turned in a solid 4.46 40 time at the combine. His struggles with contested targets will need to improve, as he’ll likely face tighter coverage in the pros, but Thrash has playmaking abilities that could lead to teams finding ways to scheme him touches. He has an outside shot at finding his way into three-wideout sets in Cleveland.