ClutchPoints
By drafting Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns’ 2025 offseason easily became one of the most discussed topics in the league. But with the upcoming season shaping up to be a rebuild year, the Browns have more than one potential hidden gem on their roster.
By definition, Sanders is not a hidden gem by any means. Since he followed his father to Colorado, the outspoken quarterback has been one of the sport’s biggest and most controversial stars. However, by entering the league as a fifth-round pick, he begins his career as the fifth quarterback on the depth chart instead of the locked-in starter many predicted he would be. Still, many see Sanders as an anomaly rather than a diamond in the rough.
Instead, the Browns have numerous other overlooked stars on their roster. After concluding an impressive seven-man draft class, Cleveland made several notable undrafted free agent signings. The incoming class includes former college football stars Easton Mascarenas-Arnold, Donovan McMillon and LaMareon Jones, among others.
With the circumstances surrounding the Browns’ offseason, little will emerge from their camp aside from the riveting quarterback competition. Yet, given the state of the franchise, a few other overlooked studs are bound to emerge. It might take a few weeks, but Cleveland’s roster is in its most vulnerable state since Kevin Stefanski took over in 2020.
When Zak Zinter initially entered the league, he was anything but a hidden gem. The Browns drafted Zinter in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft after a stellar college career at Michigan, where he was a unanimous All-American in 2023 and a two-time first-team All-Big 10 guard. Zinter likely would have been a first-round prospect if he had not suffered a gruesome leg injury in the final regular season game of his career.
However, Zinter’s aforementioned leg injury visibly affected his rookie season, in which he played a limited role behind veterans Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller. Zinter appeared in all 17 games but played just 19 percent of the total offensive snaps in 2024, receiving a putrid 43.9 player grade from Pro Football Focus. The Browns practically gave up on him in Week 6, after which he played just three more offensive snaps the rest of the year.
Zinter’s rookie season was undoubtedly a bust, but his potential is still sky high. Few count his injury-affected rookie year against him, given how grim the broken leg was. Zinter broke his tibia and fibula against Ohio State, making it a near miracle that he recovered in time to play in Week 1 just 10 months later.
The unforgiving and short memories of sports fans caused many to forget about Zinter, but at his peak, he is still capable of blocking at an elite level. Zinter allowed zero sacks as a senior at Michigan while posting a superb 75.8 run blocking grade from PFF.
Perhaps even more valuable than his quickness and strength is his...
