Connor Shaw Leads Browns Practice Squad Candidates

We will continue to cover all things Cleveland Browns roster today. The Browns practice squad should take shape sometime later today, even though it will be in flux much of the year. The practice squad has been expanded to 10 players this year, allowing for 2 more than in years past. Let’s take a look at some of the players just cut from the Browns that are leading candidates to make the team’s practice squad. Connor Shaw leads the list.

While players from other teams will be on the practice squad, for the Browns early in the season bringing back players that have been with the team for most of Training Camp helps much more. They know the system. The team knows the players. The acclimation process is much quicker. If the Browns bring players to their PS from other teams expect it to be teams with ties to Mike Pettine’s and Kyle Shanahan’s systems so they can be up to speed quicker.

Connor Shaw – Shaw leads this list for a number of reasons. He is unlikely to be claimed by another team. He went undrafted before signing on with the Browns. For a team to drop a player that made their initial 53 man roster for an undrafted QB it would be a huge decision. Yet for the Browns Shaw could be seen as next year’s backup to Johnny Manziel. Both Brian Hoyer and Rex Grossman could be free agents at the end of this season meaning the Browns have to start planning for the future. Shaw’s style of play closely matches Manziel’s which would help as his primary backup in case Manziel gets hurt. Shaw showed some good qualities so far this pre-season.

Jacobbi McDaniel – One of this writer’s favorite was a victim of the numbers game. The Browns have a solid 2 deep depth chart for their 3-4 defense. On a 4-3 team or a less deep team McDaniel would of likely made the roster. That is also the reason it is possible that this undrafted rookie could get snatched up to someone’s 53 man. Unlike QB where teams have 2 maybe 3 players, defensive linemen are always in short order. The Browns will be lucky if they can keep Jacobbi on their PS. Injuries on the defensive line are frequent, having McDaniel in the bullpen would be fantastic.

Donald Hawkins – Hawkins is reportedly known to be going to the PS according to reports. The Browns claimed him on waivers and look to continue to develop him. The way the team collected linemen this off-season expect quite a few on this 10 man roster.

Garrett Gilkey – Gilkey was a surprise cut by the Browns. At the start of Training camp he seemed to have the RG spot to himself. He lost it to John Greco then lost his roster spot. Gilkey could easily be claimed by another team but if not the Browns could use this time as a motivator to Gilkey. What led to him being cut is still unsure.

Willie Snead – Snead was considered a big get after the draft when the Browns signed him as a undrafted free agent. He and Isaiah Crowell were seen as big pieces to the future of the Browns offense. It never clicked for Snead but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have a chance. Snead has a lot of development to do but has the raw talent to be a big time player down the road for the Browns..

History

A quick look back at some history on practice squads. Last year the Browns PS started with 7 men:

WRs – Jasper Collins and Tori Gurley

DBs – Kip Edwards, Darius Eubanks, Terrance Frederick, Julian Posey and Jamoris Slaughter

3 of those players were in camp with the Browns. Eubanks transitioned to LB with the team.

The Buffalo Bills filled their entire 8 man roster when Mike Pettine was their defensive coordinator:

QB – Thaddeus Lewis

RB – Ron Wingo

WR – Tommy Steeter

OT – Edawn Coughman

C – Mark Asper

DL – Izaan Cross

LB – Jamie Blatnick

CB – Johnny Adams

So a little bit different skew of players than the Browns CB & WR only group.

Finally the Washington Redskins under the Shanahans had 8 members as well:

WRs – Lance Lewis and Nick Williams

RB – Jawan Jamison

OLs – Xavier Nixon and Tevita Stevens

DL – Dominique Hamilton

LB – William Compton

CB – Chase Minnifield