5 unknown Cleveland Browns who might surprise in 2021

Backup OL Michael Dunn held the fort versus Steelers

Michael Dunn was one of the many Cleveland Browns heroes in the playoff win against the Pittsburgh Steelers playoff game, on January 10, 2021,  48-37. Dunn started after star left guard Joel Bitonio tested positive for COVID-19.

Dunn’s journey to the Browns was not simple. Like the Johnny Cash song, he has been everywhere, man. Despite a reasonable football pedigree out of Maryland, he went undrafted and was signed as an undrafted free agent (UDFA) with the Los Angeles Rans in 2017, then was waived and then signed to the practice squad and finally waived in June 2018.

He got a chance with the Jacksonville Jaguars for summer camp 2018, and made the practice squad, got cut, and then re-signed was cut again.

He played with the Birmingham Iron in the Alliance of American Football in 2019, and after that league folded, he went to summer camp with the Miami Dolphins, only to be cut at the end of training camp.

Then it was off to the XFL with the Seattle Dragons, which had to suspend operations due to Covid-19 in April 2020. At that time, Dunn was the second-highest ranked offensive lineman in the league, according to XFL Newshub.  The Browns signed him as a late addition in August 2020.

He made their practice squad, and was temporarily elevated to the regular roster under a new rule that creates up to two temporary roster spots for practice squad players.

Then the Covid-19 epidemic hit the Browns hard, with Pro Bowl guard Joel Bitonio knocked out of the playoff game. Dunn’s number was called. His first NFL start would be against the big, bad Pittsburgh Steelers, who were chomping at the bit, guaranteed to school the kid and sack Baker Mayfield time and time again for another Steeler playoff win.

But you know what? That didn’t happen. Dunn was brilliant, handling every stunt the Steelers threw at him, every blitz. Cleveland rang up 48 points on the Steelers and could have had more except that they played conservatively with a big lead.

After allowing no sacks and only one quarterback hurry to the Steelers, Kevin Stefanski was effusive in his praise, as quoted by Tom Withers for NBCSports.com.

"“I will single out Michael Dunn, I thought he was outstanding.  Really, really great in his technique, in his effort, in his assignment, he did a great job.” — Stefanski"

Unfortunately, however, Dunn strained a calf muscle and was knocked out of the game late, and had to be replaced by Blake Hance. However, Hance also did well subbing for Dunn.

The following week against Kansas City, Jedrick Wills was injured  On January 12, 2021, Dunn was placed on injured reserve. Hance had to go in the game against Kansas City at tackle when Jed Wills and Kendall Lamm both turned up lame.

Hance playing out of position was no match for the Kansas City pass rush, but let’s not be too harsh on a kid coming off the street playing out of position in a playoff game against the defending world champions.

Still, with Lamm leaving the team as a free agent, there is an opening on the roster and Dunn has a legit chance to fill it. In fact, try and push him out of it.