Cleveland Browns 3 most surprising cuts while trimming roster to 53

2. Willie Harvey, Linebacker

While Derrick Willies was a victim of a numbers game, so too was undrafted rookie Willie Harvey. A product of Iowa State, Harvey is undersized at 5-foot-11 and 230-pounds but he proved to be able to produce at a much higher level than his stature would indicate.

The best example of what Harvey could bring to the team came in the fourth quarter of their preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts. Our own Elliot Kennel broke down how well he played during those 15 minutes of action.

"“On first and ten at the Indy 23, combined with Carl Davis to stuff D’Onta Foreman for a one yard loss. First and ten at the Cleveland 31, blitzed, hit and disrupted Chad Kelly resulting in an incomplete pass. Third and three at the Cleveland 34, tackled Hale Hentges after a five-yard gain.” — Kennel, DPD"

Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough for Harvey to make the roster, but he too seems like a good candidate for the practice squad. However, he too could have several suitors interested in claiming him during the waiver period.

The main reason Harvey didn’t make this team is due to the fact that Joe Schobert, Christian Kirksey, and Genard Avery were returners from 2018. They also added Adarius Taylor in free agency and Sione Takitaki and Mack Wilson in the draft.

Couple all those additions with the fact that defensive coordinator Steve Wilks plans to run a 4-2-5 defense that has just two linebackers and this makes a little more sense. Still, it was a bit of a surprise.