Cleveland Browns linked to 13 undrafted free agents

The Cleveland Browns, fresh off of drafting 14 players, have been linked to 13 undrafted free agents.

Not content with selecting 14 players during the 2016 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns have also reportedly signed 13 players as undrafted free agents.

While the Browns have yet to announce any signings, and may not do so for a couple of more days, here is the list of players, according to sbnation.com:

Dominique Alexander, LB, Oklahoma
Andrew Baggett, K, Missouri
Brad Craddock, K, Maryland
Kenya Dennis, CB, Missouri
J.P. Holtz, TE, Pitt
Tracy Howard, CB, Miami
Paul James, RB, Rutgers
Nile Lawrence-Stample, DT, Florida State
Mike Matthews, C, Texas A&M
Kyle Rose, DT, West Virginia
Patrick Skov, FB, Georgia Tech
A.J. Stamps, S, Kentucky
Kirk Willis, LS, Cincinnati

The Browns are always active in hunting down these types of players after the draft, that is how quarterback Connor Shaw and running back Isaiah Crowell started their journey to a roster spot, but it is still bit surprising to see so many names on the list. With those 14 draft picks to look at, and only 53 roster spots ultimately available, the odds may be even greater that someone from this list finds their way onto the come the fall.

Here is a quick breakdown of the players linked to the Browns.

Dominique Alexander (6-foot-0, 232 pounds): Small, but rangy linebacker with very good play speed but a lack of desired strength. It’s easy to want to write Alexander off considering his issues with play strength, but then you look at his downhill tackling and ability to get to the ball and you reassess. Alexander’s ability to cover in space should pair well with a move to outside linebacker in a 4-3 where he can avoid some of the size coming at him that gave him issues inside.

Andrew Bagget (6-foot-1, 215 pounds): In 2015, Baggett made 16 of 20 field goals (with a long of 41 yards), and finished just eight points shy of Mizzou’s all-time scoring record in a career with 355 points.

Brad Craddock (6-foot-0, 186 pounds): Craddock’s consistency from intermediate ranges will get the attention of teams as he’s put together three solid years from that range. His biggest challenge is trying to improve his kickoffs as teams usually don’t like having to carry a kickoff specialist.

Kenya Dennis (5-foot-11, 200 pounds): Dennis quietly emerged as one of the SEC’s better all-around defensive backs in 2014, his first at Missouri after an impressive stop at Hinds Community College. Dennis was immediately plugged in as a starter at cornerback and responded by leading the Tigers with nine pass breakups and providing great physicality on the perimeter in run support, registering 61 tackles, including 48 solos and 4.5 tackles for loss.

J.P. Holtz (6-foot-3, 245 pounds): A four-year starter, Holtz appeared in 43 games with the Panthers, catching 81 passes for 931 yards (11.5 yards per catch) and 11 touchdowns. His best year was last season, when he had 24 receptions for 350 yards and four touchdowns. He was not invited to the NFL Scouting Combine because he is considered a bit short to be an in-line tight end. At Pitt’s Pro Day he went through the various drills as a fullback, which is where he may have to play in the NFL.

Tracy Howard (5-foot-11, 183 pounds): Howard was a five-star signee in 2012 who didn’t have a standout college career; once rated as the No. 1 cornerback recruit in high school, he finished with five career interceptions. Howard looked significantly faster and smoother in his Pro Day workout, however, so that bodes well for him.

Paul James (5-foot-11, 206 pounds): Run-of-the-mill running back possessing decent size, but no bankable traits to hang your hat on as an evaluator. James’ history with injuries certainly won’t help him and his 2014 ACL tear likely robbed him of some of his quickness in 2015. He has enough talent to get into a camp, or maybe have someone take a late-round shot with him, but making a team’s “53” could be very difficult. He started 10 games as a senior, rushing for 544 yards on 99 carries with five touchdowns.

Nile Lawrence-Stample (6-foot-1, 320 pounds): While he has the thickness of a plugging nose tackle, Lawrence-Stample didn’t control his grass and dominate at the point of attack as much as scouts wanted to see this season. He has enough power in his base to anchor against double teams and his work at the point of attack will improve with more hand work. Appears to be a backup interior lineman who can handle rotational work.

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Mike Matthews (6-foot-2, 290 pounds): Matthews, the nephew of former Browns linebacker Clay Matthews, is an absolute bulldog who plays with outstanding tenacity, consistency and technique. If he were bigger and stronger, we would be talking about him as one of the top five centers in this draft, but he lacks the size NFL teams need from their centers. Matthews’ balance, body control and football IQ should get him a look in camp, but he has to add weight and keep it on to have a legitimate shot at making a team.

Kyle Rose (6-foot4, 291 pounds): Rose played nose tackle in West Virginia’s 3-3-5 defense and racked up 155 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and five sacks during his career in Morgantown.

Patrick Skov (6-foot-1, 235 pounds): Skov ran for 377 yards on 93 carries and six touchdowns in 2015. He also had three receptions for 44 yards.

A.J. Stamps (5-foot-11, 193 pounds): Former cornerback and wide receiver who flashes decent ball skills but lacks the aggressive, urgent attitude necessary from the safety position. Teams may choose to try him back at cornerback, but his long speed and recovery acceleration will be question marks heading into the combine.

Kirk Willis (6-foot-2, 250 pounds): A fifth-year senior, Willis appeared in 52 games with the Bearcats. He was ranked one of the top long snappers in the nation by RayGuy/Prokicker and Kohl’s Kicking for the 2011 recruiting class.

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