Rookies Report to Browns Training Camp

Cleveland Browns rookies report to training camp on Wednesday. They have a slight head start before veterans report Friday and will need to capitalize in order to give themselves the best chance to earn a role or a roster spot.

Wednesday, rookies report to Cleveland Browns headquarters in Berea as they begin their first training camp in the NFL. Even as the Browns have a roster that doesn't need major impact from their rookies, which is a good sign for the team, there are a few players that could earn their way into the lineup in various forms and multiple rookies have a shot to earn a spot on the opening day roster.

For the second year in a row, the Browns didn't make a draft selection until the third round. Cedric Tillman has a chance to be the best player the Browns selected, but he may have a more difficult time making an early impact compared to some of the other players selected both in the draft as well as after it.

Siaki Ika, also picked in the third round, has the fastest path to the field as a backup nose. He's going to get every opportunity to prove he can handle 10-20 reps per game, giving the Browns a massive body in the middle with Tomlinson able to get a breather.

Likewise, Isaiah McGuire, selected in the fourth round is going to have to contribute this year. The fourth round pick from Missouri has the size and strength to hold up at the point of attack. If that's all he can do, that would be helpful. The Browns are hoping the level of competition has him a little more prepared to play than Alex Wright coming out of UAB last year even if it's only a handful of snaps per contest.

Unless it's as a jumbo tight end or a field goal, no one wants to see Dawand Jones on the field in a regular season game this coming year. But both he and fellow Ohio State offensive lineman Luke Wypler have a chance to make a statement about being future starters. Jones doesn't need to get bigger or stronger. He simply needs to adapt to the speed of NFL talent and adapt to the offensive terminology and techniques.

Wypler, meanwhile, does need to continue to get stronger, particularly in his core. He has excellent movement skills and competes at a high level as does Jones, but he needs to continue to get stronger to make a case that he can be a starter down the road when the Browns move on from Ethan Pocic.

Cameron Mitchell should be a fixture on special teams as he tries to earn a spot in the rotation at corner. Mitchell's experience playing man coverage was a major selling point, but he is someone that projects to be able to help both outside and in the slot.

Of the draft picks, that leaves Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Another player the Browns don't want to see the field this year, they want him to make the most of his rookie year learning the offense and benefiting from having Joshua Dobbs in the quarterback room with him. 

The Browns have a number of intriguing undrafted rookies on the roster. Some have a better chance to be competing for spots on the regular season roster than others, who could be players the Browns would like to see end up on their practice squad.

Ronnie Hickman likely has the best chance to make the opening day roster as depth at safety. The former Buckeye would need to beat out his former teammate Tanner McCalister to make sure that happens.

Up until the Browns traded for Za'Darius Smith, undrafted rookie Lonnie Phelps looked like a good bet to make the roster. He's still got a shot both because he's a speedy pass rusher, but he also has value because of his abillity to contribute on special teams.

Speaking of special teams, former Georgia Tech linebacker Charlie Thomas could be a contributor in that aspect of the game. The money backer could also end up being depth as a linebacker that can play on passing downs and might have some viability to help in the slot. 

His former teammate Hassan Hall is hoping his speed out of the backfield will be a good fit in an offense that is likely to feature more spread looks. Hall is a player that might have a chance to enjoy a better pro career than he did in college. Until the Browns add another running back, he's going to get the opportunity to prove they shouldn't add anyone else to the room.

That doesn't even cover the total list of rookies that will be participate this year. Veterans will report on Friday, the 21st before the team goes to the Greenbrier in West Virginia where they will spend a week. Rookies will have two days to acclimate, but they need to make the most of it if they intend to earn a role or try to make the team.