Cleveland Browns awarded DL Tory Slater off waivers
By Thomas Moore
Sep 21, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns helmet on the field before a game against the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports
Proving that you can apparently never have enough defensive lineman, the Cleveland Browns were awarded defensive lineman Tory Slater off waivers on Tuesday, according to the team’s website.
The 6-foot-5, 290-pound Slater had originally signed with Seattle as an undrafted free agent out of West Georgia. He arrived at the school weighing less than 200 pounds after playing wide receiver and running track in high school. But within the first two practices, he was a member of the Wolves’ defensive line and spent his first three seasons as a defensive end.
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As a senior he was moved to the interior of the defensive line and recorded 10 sacks (nine of which came in the season’s final six games), 69 tackles, including 16.5 tackles for loss, while helping the Wolves go 12-3 and reach the Div. II semifinal game.
According to his draft profile at NFL.com, Slater is a:
"Quick-twitch lineman with plus athletic traits. Had vertical and broad-jump explosiveness equal to some receivers at his pro day. Bursts out of stance and has explosive closing speed when chasing the ball. Upper-body strength on tape is equal to his 31 bench-press reps. Has quickness to play in gaps or cause problems with E/T twists and has strength to 2-gap when asked."
In addition, he:
"Used his speed and athleticism to hang 10 sacks and 16.5 tackles for loss on opponents from the defensive tackle position. Despite playing inside at West Georgia, Slater has the frame and strength to fit into a 3-4 as a defensive end and that might be his best fit. Slater isn’t game-ready at this point, but his traits and upside could get him drafted by a team that is willing to wait on him."
On a roster that includes defensive linemen Randy Starks, Phil Taylor, John Hughes, Billy Winn, Danny Shelton, Xavier Cooper, Nate Orchard, Desmond Bryant, Ishmaa’ily Kitchen and Armonty Bryant, having an athletic player who needs time to develop could mean that Cleveland is the ideal location for Slater.
What do you think about the work the Browns are doing along the defensive line?