The Cleveland Browns are always entertaining during training camp, but this summer should be particularly interesting.
Offensive line coach George Warhop will be working to get up to five new starters, headlined by first-round draft pick Spencer Fano, up to speed before the start of the regular season.
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Wide receivers coach Christian Jones will be doing the same with rookies KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston, while also working on the potential of second-year player Isaiah Bond to help take some of the pressure off erratic veteran Jerry Jeudy.
Finally, head coach Todd Monken and offensive coordinator Travis Switzer have to figure out what to do with one of the most malodorous quarterback rooms in the NFL, where a once seemingly unbelievable outcome may become reality.
It will not be all about draft picks and washed-up quarterbacks, of course, as every training camp brings with it a fresh crop of undrafted free agents eager for any opportunity they can find to make an impression.
There is still a long way to go until the initial 53-man roster needs to be set, but if recent history is a guide, then we may have an idea of who might have the lead among the 14 undrafted free agents currently on Cleveland’s roster.
Last year, general manager Andrew Berry kept six UDFAs on the initial 53-man roster, including the top three players who received the most guaranteed money: safety Donovan McMillon, cornerback Lamareon James, and defensive end/fullback Adin Huntington.
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McMillon and Huntington went on to play for the Browns during the season, while James was released in mid-September and is currently on the practice squad of the New York Giants.
So while it may not ensure a roster spot, it is probably worth noting that four of the current undrafted free agents received guaranteed money in excess of $100,000 this year, according to spotrac.com:
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Defensive end Logan Fano ($310,000)
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Defensive end Kordae Sydnor ($275,000)
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Running back Davon Booth ($165,000)
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Cornerback Nate Evans ($130,000)
In a world where the Browns are paying Deshaun Watson $46 million this season, the figures for the UDFAs are essentially pocket change, but it could still give those four a small advantage in the eyes of the talent evaluators as they progress through training camp and the preseason.
It is interesting to note that a player who may receive a lot of attention this summer, cornerback Michael Coats Jr., is one of just two UDFAs with no guaranteed money (the other is defensive tackle Trey Gooden). If Coats can make an impression on the coaches, that is the kind of feel-good story that everyone can get behind.
