Cleveland Browns take calculated risk with Malik McDowell

Two days after the NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns decided to add more talent to their roster — and took a calculated risk — by signing Malik McDowell

The Cleveland Browns added a lot of talent this past weekend during the 2021 NFL Draft, with most of their attention being focused on the defensive side of the ball. However, they still weren’t done adding players to stop their opponents.

On Monday, it was reported that Cleveland came to terms with former 2017 second-round pick Malik McDowell.

Originally taken by the Seattle Seahawks that season, McDowell has yet to play in the NFL after suffering an injury in an ATV accident in 2017 and then having a couple of off-field issues including a DUI and an altercation with police in February of 2018. McDowell was even sentenced to 11 months in prison in November of 2020.

Due to the problems he has had in the past, Cleveland general manager Andrew Berry felt it was necessary to issue a statement on the move.

Last year, McDowell tried to make a comeback as he worked out for the Miami Dolphins but was never offered a spot on the roster. The Browns have officially offered him his first chance at redemption in the NFL.

It will be a tough task for him as Cleveland has a lot of talent at defensive tackle with Andrew Billings, Malik Jackson, Jordan Elliott, rookie draft pick Tommy Togiai and newly-signed Marvin Wilson an undrafted free agent who received a massive guarantee.

Even with all those names, it’s not impossible and McDowell offers a calculated risk for Cleveland. He gives them a motivated player with elite talent, with very little risk.

This could end up being a good move by Andrew Berry with almost no downside other than giving him a spot on the 90-man roster heading into camp.