One hometown AAF player Cleveland Browns should sign
By Mitch Zoloty
With the recent collapse of the AAF, many players are now unemployed. The NFL, including the Cleveland Browns, have taken this opportunity to find some guys to compete on their 90 man rosters. Here is one more AAF player the Browns should take a look at.
The collapse of the AAF is one that greatly hurts many fans hearts. The league was one that brought new life to the sport of football during the months the NFL was not around. The Orlando Apollos emerged as the number one team in the league, with some great possible NFL talent on the roster, and the Cleveland Browns have taken notice, signing one of its top players.
The Browns signed Orlando’s starting quarterback, Garrett Gilbert, who was arguably the best quarterback in the AAF. Gilbert set many firsts in the AAF, including scoring the league’s first touchdown, throwing a pass to former Ohio State receiver Jalin Marshall. With how the NFL has raided the AAF for talent so far for the upcoming training camp, the Browns should take another look at the Orlando Apollos roster.
The Apollos have many talented guys still unsigned, but one of the few that the Browns should focus on is Jalin Marshall himself. Marshall is an Ohio guy, born in Middletown Ohio, where he played high school ball at Middletown high school. He also played his college ball at Ohio State Unversity, where he helped win the national championship game against Oregon, racking up 5 catches and 52 yards in the game.
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Marshall was one of the many guys in the AAF who just didn’t get their fair shake in the NFL. As an undrafted free agent, he was able to make the New York Jets roster mainly as a return man and reserve receiver.
In 2016, he saw the field in 10 games, getting 14 receptions and 162 yards along with two touchdowns on 23 targets. He also had 18 punt returns for 100 yards and 13 kick returns for 324 yards.
In 2017, Jalin was suspended for performance-enhanced drugs and eventually waived and added to the practice squad a few times by the Jets — finally being cut for good on April 30th, 2018.
The Browns currently have a pretty stacked receiving core. Wide receivers Odell Beckham, Jr. and Jarvis Landry are two of the top receivers in the NFL. Rashard Higgins and Antonio Callaway are talented receivers who are locks to make the roster.
Damion Ratley, Jaelen Strong, Derrick Willies, and Blake Jackson are all on the roster on the according to the team’s official website to compete for the two remaining spots on the 53 man roster this season. These receivers are going to need to be able to make a name for themselves on special teams, and Jalin Marshall has already done that as a returner.
Next. Browns can take interesting approach in NFL Draft. dark
The Browns are in need of a returner and Jalin Marshall could definitely step in and steal the returning job if he has a good training camp. I’m sure many Ohio State fans would love to root for Jalin Marshall again, too.