Cleveland Browns add defensive line depth with Nick Hayden
By Thomas Moore
The Cleveland Browns added some depth to the defensive line by signing veteran Nick Hayden.
As we near the final countdown to the start of training camp, the Cleveland Browns made a roster move by signing defensive lineman Nick Hayden.
The team announced the move on its website.
The 6-foot-3, 295-pound Hayden has been with three teams during his six years in the NFL. He was a sixth-round draft choice of the Carolina Panthers in 2008 and spent three seasons with the Panthers, playing in 76 games. After a brief stay in Cincinnati, where he appeared in two games for the Bengals in 2011, Hayden spent the past three seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, starting 47 out of a possible 48 games.
Hayden was a durable defensive tackle against in the Cowboys 4-3 defensive alignment, as his two career sacks reveal he is not much of a threat as a pass rusher.
The Browns needed to do something to add some help at the defensive end position after losing Desmond Bryant, the team’s best defensive lineman lost for the year with a torn pectoral muscle. The only veteran on the defensive line is John Hughes, who has only made 10 starts in his four years with the Browns.
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While Hughes is expected to man one defensive end position, Bryant’s slot is open with second-year player Xavier Cooper, who played in 14 games as a rookie, the leading candidate to claim it.
Hayden may not have left much of a mark in Dallas – a quick search of various Cowboy sites reveal words like “plodding” attached to his name – but at least he brings a much-needed veteran presence and depth to the position.
He was also described by ESPN as a player who “works hard, keeps his mouth shut and is always ready come Sunday,” which are all characteristics that the new Browns regime is looking for from the players on the roster.
It wouldn’t be surprising, however, if the Browns continue to search the waiver wire for more help as they work their way through the preseason in an attempt to fill what may turn out to be a fairly sizable hole created by Bryant’s injury.