Dawgs By Nature
Here is what Cleveland’s coaching staff has to say about this year’s rookie draft class.
It is a well-known fact that every NFL team loves its incoming rookie draft class.
Starting with the Tennessee Titans and the No. 1 overall selection in quarterback Cam Ward to the New England Patriots and Memphis defensive back Kobee Minor at No. 257, every team selected the exact player they wanted at the exact right pick over the three days of the draft.
Related: Browns QB competition: The chance to start will require extra work from the rookies
The Cleveland Browns are no exception, as every member of their seven-man draft class has a legitimate opportunity to make an impact on a roster that is slowly being rebuilt following the disaster of the 3-14 season in 2024.
Related: Browns Minicamp Recap - Which players shined?
Defensive tackle Mason Graham and linebacker Carson Schwesinger will feature heavily on the defensive side of the ball. The running game will go as far as Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson can carry it. The second tight end spot is wide open for Harold Fannin Jr., and all eyes will continue to be on quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders throughout training camp and the preseason.
With the conclusion of the mandatory minicamp last week in Berea, the Browns are done with their offseason program, which also means the coaching staff has now had several opportunities to see what the rookies can bring to the field under a controlled environment and in the meeting room.
While everyone gets prepared for the summer break, let’s take a look at what the coaching staff has to say about the rookie class, with one quote for each player. (Quotes from team-provided transcripts).
“But here’s a kid that every day he got better. Every day he came out here, he’s running to the ball as fast as he could. You see his rush game developing, you see him launching with his hands. It’s going to be hard obviously coming from a read scheme, going to an attack scheme. But he’s done a really good job and he’s great in the room, an extremely smart individual, hardworking. So I can’t wait to see him come out and play.”
“Carson really does a really good job of being able to focus on each play and making the next play his best play... that’s usually where a rookie will struggle, where he’s worried about what he just did or hangs on to it. He figures it out, asks great questions, runs to the ball. Really impressed with how he goes to the next play and how conscious he is within the play. That’s the learning curve that can really help a young man play fast in this league.”
“Every day as a skill group, we work on...
