Cleveland Browns: The UDFAs most likely to make the team in 2017
By Shane Carter
Alvin Hill, S, Maryland
The Browns seemed to draft their strong safety of the future in Jabrill Peppers. The team also acquired Calvin Pryor and there’s no certainty if he’s going to switch to free safety or stay at the strong safety position and compete with Peppers for snaps. All this makes the free safety position a question mark for now.
A five-year player at Maryland, Hill is known more as a ball hawk, having 10 career pass deflections. He played cornerback but his less than spectacular speed have led many to speculate that safety would make more sense for Hill. So he may need to play a different position, but because the team is low on quality safeties, Hill has a decent shot at a roster spot.
Roster Chance: 4/10
Jamal Marcus, DL, Akron
The Browns are staying in-state with this one. Originally an Ohio State Buckeye, Marcus transferred to Akron. At 6-foot-2, 240 pounds, he would seem like an outside linebacker, but his skill set suggests that he may be better off trying his luck at defensive end.
With eight sacks and 18 tackles for loss to his credit, his best bet is running up-field at the quarterback, rather than playing any coverage. He has players like Myles Garrett, Emmanuel Ogbah and Carl Nassib in his way so it doesn’t seem likely at this point.
Roster Chance: 2/10
Taylor McNamara, TE, USC
Originally a Sooner, Taylor McNamara had very little “production” with career totals of 25 receptions, 198 yards and five touchdowns. His limited production, and awesome size, 6-foot-5, 250 pounds, makes me think two words: practice squad. The team already drafted David Njoku and has a returning Seth DeValve to pair up with so the team isn’t in any need of McNamara’s service just yet.
Roster Chance: 3/10
Kai Nacua, S, BYU
As I said before, the team needs playmakers in the secondary and safety help. Enter Kai Nacua, one of my favorite undrafted free agents in the 2017 class. It was amazing that Nacua didn’t go drafted at all, since he was considered a fourth or fifth rounder at the earliest. However, let’s let the number speak for themselves:
6-foot-2, 211 pounds, 14 career interceptions (two touchdowns), 12 pass deflections, 4.5 40-yard dash, 39-inch vertical. Let all that sink in. And yes, it’s ok to salivate.
Roster Chance: 8/10