Dawgs By Nature
Hjalte Froholdt followed Drew Petzing with the Cardinals
The number of former Cleveland Browns that litter the NFL is growing. At one point, it was a big story when a former Browns player was getting playing time much less starting for other teams. Cleveland’s struggles were that deep.
Now, despite an emotional 2024 season that sees the Browns playing out pointless games, former players are all over the NFL with a few key starters.
The Cleveland roster still has a bunch of talented players and should see a number of Pro Bowl players this season including Myles Garrett, Joel Bitonio and David Njoku. One former Brown, Hjalte Froholdt, was not a name anyone expected to see when reviewing “Pro Bowl sleepers” for 2024 but The NFL Network had him listed:
But it’s impossible not to watch the upstart Cardinals without noticing Froholdt in the middle of it all. From aiding Kyler Murray’s pocket to getting out on screens, the former Patriots fourth-round pick is an underrated blocker. Through 10 games, Pro Football Focus charted Froholdt with zero sacks, three QB hits, and 10 QB hurries. The 28-year-old Denmark native found a home in Arizona and earned that preseason contract extension. His ability to get to the second level opens up one of the best ground games in the NFL. Froholdt’s athleticism is dynamic in space, helping the Cards become one of the better screen teams in the NFL in 2024.
Froholdt’s career arc was far from a straight line. After being drafted in the fourth round, New England released him the following year. He joined the Houston Texans, then their practice squad before the Browns picked him up in 2021.
The Arkansas Razorback joined the Cardinals in 2023, following Drew Petzing from Cleveland when he took the offensive coordinator job in Arizona.
In parts of two seasons with the Browns, Frodholdt played in 23 games including six starts. His 592 snaps on offense all came in 2022 while he also was used on special teams.
Froholdt is a great example of a player with promise that takes time and the right fit to really excel. He was released one year after being drafted to multiple practice squads and, now, possibly on his way to the Pro Bowl.
