Cleveland Browns: 20 practice squad candidates for 2021 season

Wide receiver

Ryan Switzer

There doesn’t appear to be a spot on the active roster for Ryan Switzer, but he can provide value on the practice squad. This will be his fourth NFL campaign, and he can return punts and play from the slot. Given what he went through with his son’s health issues, it would be nice to keep him in the same place for more than a few months.

Derrick Willies

Willies has spent multiple stints with Cleveland through more than one regime, and it’s because while he’s suffered injuries, his 6-4 height is something no one else in the receiver room can offer, and Willies is surprisingly nimble for his size.

Ja’Marcus Bradley

The Week 16 loss to the New York Jets was a disaster, but Bradley played well considering the circumstances. It’s easy to see a future scenario where he’s a WR5 or WR6 for this team, provided he isn’t poached first.

Tight end

Connor Davis

Kevin Stefanski loves his tight ends. The depth chart is pretty full at the moment, but having depth is important. Davis provides a massive 6-8, 271-pound frame, which could be a serious weapon if developed.

Offensive line

Blake Hance

Hance will always be a Cleveland hero for his performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the playoffs, shortly after introducing himself to his teammates. He also filled in at left tackle against the Kansas City Chiefs, and didn’t do too poorly.

He faces an uphill battle to make the roster in an extremely deep position group, but having him on the practice squad would be great. It wouldn’t be a surprise for him to be claimed by another team if waived, though.

Michael Dunn

The same goes for Dunn, who played extremely well against the Steelers, matching up with one of the league’s premier offensive lines. Maybe one game isn’t enough to put him into the future starter conversation, but his performance makes him deserving of a roster spot. That will be difficult to come by in Cleveland.

Javon Patterson

J.C. Tretter is a real-life Iron Man, but the day may come when he finally misses a snap. Nick Harris is the backup, and while he struggled at guard as a rookie, his lack of size should be less of an issue at center. Patterson will likely fill the role of emergency snapper on the practice squad.

Greg Senat

Senat spent about a month on Cleveland’s practice squad last year before being poached by the Dallas Cowboys. The team clearly likes him, probably for his long arms and quick feet. An athletic project tackle on the practice squad is never a bad thing.