The Browns signed 15 undrafted free agents earlier this week, but they still had an additional 34 rookies participate in their rookie minicamp on a tryout basis. Ultimately, Cleveland signed three of those 34 players to contracts (per Nate Ulrich of Ohio.com):
- Jhavonte Dean, CB (Miami)
- Trayone Gray, RB (Miami)
- Willie Harvey Jr., LB (Iowa State)
As Ulrich notes, Dean was a standout during the Browns’ rookie minicamp, as he had an interception and a pass defended during the first practice. Of course, the defensive back will still have an uphill battle to make the roster; the team used a pair of their draft picks on cornerbacks in Greedy Williams (second round) and Donnie Lewis Jr. (seventh round). The team also added undrafted free agent Jermaine Ponder (Saint Francis Pa.).
The same could be said for Harvey Jr., as the Browns selected a pair of linebackers during the draft in Sione Takitaki (third round) and Mack Wilson (fifth round). Cleveland also added an undrafted linebacker, Anthony Stubbs (Prairie View A&M).
With Gray and Dean under contract, the Browns now have eight former Miami Hurricanes on their roster. The six-foot-2, 235-pound Gray served mostly as a block running back during his collegiate career.
Diamonds in the rough, or just practice squad fodder?
Signing to many running back, so I see the browns dishing off Johnson soon rather than later