Cleveland Browns announce nine players signed to practice squad

The Cleveland Browns, while still, working to evolve their regular season roster have put together their practice squad. The unit can hold up to ten players, work as a way for players to get full access to benefits of being on a team, but can't play in games and can be signed from other teams.

The Cleveland Browns have nine players to their practice squad to start the season. The practice squad can hold up to ten players, but any team can sign a player from a team's practice squad. They have to then hold onto them for three weeks before being allowed to release them.

CB Robert Jackson

Height: 6-1.375
Weight: 202 lbs
40 Yard Dash: 4.44s
Broad Jump: 10’6″
Vertical: 38.5
3-Cone: 7.02s
Shuttle: 4.33s
Bench: 13 bench reps

Jackson has physical traits that are appealing as a corner, though he's got a long way to go on that front. More than anything, Jackson was worthwhile in his roles on special teams, making some impact plays on special teams. If someone were to get injured, he might get a call up to contribute there.

LB Willie Harvey

Height: 5-11.25
Weight: 229 lbs
40 Yard Dash: 4.65s
Broad Jump: 10’
Vertical: 34
3-Cone: 7.08s
Shuttle: 4.49s
Bench: 18 bench reps

Willie Harvey looked good in limited opportunities as a run and chase linebacker that racks up tackles. Was caught in a numbers game behind draft picks and free agent signings, but looks like someone that can contribute for a team. Time on the practice squad should only help him as he continues to develop his body.

TE Stephen Carlson

Height: 6-4.125
Weight: 240 lbs
40 Yard Dash: 4.77s
Broad Jump: 10’3"
Vertical: 32.5
3-Cone: 6.97s
Shuttle: 4.19s
Bench: 18 bench reps

Carlson is in a similar mold as Seth DeValve, now a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars, was coming out of college. He's a big receiver making the transition to tight end. His agility is outstanding in particular.

Carlson needs to continue growing into the position as a blocker and using his body better as a receiver. He's got some ability, but the Browns really needed a tight end on their practice squad to develop and Carlson is a good choice.

OG Willie Wright

Height: 6-2.625
Weight: 296 lbs
40 Yard Dash: 5.07s
Broad Jump: 9'6"
Vertical: 33
3-Cone: 7.57s
Shuttle: 4.71s
Bench: 24 bench reps

Willie Wright has ideal physical traits for the type of lineman that James Campen likes. Wright played a ton of left guard in the preseason, handled himself pretty well. He's making the move from a college tackle out of Tulsa to the interior. He plays with terrific intensity and is a finisher. Wright seems like a guy who could be on the practice squad now, but could become a starter somewhere down the road.

S J.T. Hassell

Height: 5-11.125
Weight: 200 lbs
40 Yard Dash: 4.44s
Broad Jump: 10'1"
Vertical: 42
3-Cone: 6.84s
Shuttle: 4.26s
Bench: 23 bench reps

Hassell is a freaky athlete making the transition from college linebacker to NFL safety and it's a process, but he flies around and makes tackles, plus he contribute on special teams. Needs time and development, but he's the exact type of player that is great for a practice squad.

WR Derrick Willies

Height: 6-3.625
Weight: 207 lbs
40 Yard Dash: 4.55s
Broad Jump: 11'2"
Vertical: 41
3-Cone: 6.84s
Shuttle: 4.01s
Bench: 15 bench reps

Willies is easily the most surprising addition to the practice squad, because he seems more than capable to help an NFL team right now, which is why it seemed like he was a lock to make the Browns final roster. It's a bold move by Dorsey to waive him, but at least for the moment, it has paid off in a big way for the Browns as they get their cake and eat it too.

The broken collarbone obviously hampered his development last year, ending his season, but it seemed like he had more than come back from it, showing more than he had last season as a receiving threat while still being a good special teams contributor. There's a lot of potential with Willies in terms of physical ability, but needs to continue to develop in terms of polish at the position.

WR Shelton Gibson

Height: 5-11.125
Weight: 191 lbs
40 Yard Dash: 4.5s (4.42s at Pro Day)
Broad Jump: 9'8" (10'1" at Pro Day)
Vertical: 32
3-Cone: 6.83s
Shuttle: 4.2s
Bench: 8 bench reps

The Browns had a receiver from Cleveland Heights High School all training camp long in Dorian Baker. He has been waived, but now the Browns have signed another former Tiger in Shelton Gibson. Gibson was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

He's got nice athletic traits, speed and was productive at West Virginia, but was over-aged at the time of the draft. He's a second year player that is 25 years old, which is fine when it comes to the practice squad.

DT Brandin Bryant

Height: 6-2.625
Weight: 288 lbs
40 Yard Dash: 4.88s
Broad Jump: 9'3"
Vertical: 28
3-Cone: 7.27s
Shuttle: 4.35s
Bench: 38 bench reps

Bryant has an eerily similar athletic profile to Trevon Coley, whom the Browns just waived. Perhaps Coley will be back, but they have another undersized 3-tech defensive tackle to develop.

He didn't show much in preseason, though given this turn of events, that might have been deliberate. Bryant had previously spent time with the Seattle Seahawks

S Tigie Sankoh

Sankoh was assigned to the Browns as part of the NFL's international program in May of the 2018 season and though he's been in the NFL for two years, he's still just 21 years old.

He does not count against their practice squad limit, so the Browns actually have two spots left to fill. One of those could be Coley coming back, but they may simply be negotiating with players they haven't agreed with quite yet.