Cleveland Browns: Top 5 players to watch in the preseason

4. Curtis Weaver

Curtis Weaver was always going to be an important part of the training camp EDGE battle, but his role could end up being much more crucial now with the recent news concerning Takk McKinely, who is away from the team due to a personal issue.

McKinley was supposed to provide starting-caliber depth behind Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney, spelling the starters to keep them fresh and healthy, and rushing off the edge on obvious passing downs. Perhaps he will still do all of those things, but for now, the team has to operate without him, and that’s where Weaver comes in,

One of Pro Football Focus’s top 25 prospects in 2020, Weaver fell to the fifth round, where he was taken by the Miami Dolphins. The Boise State product racked up 34 sacks over three seasons, earning excellent pass-rush grades and doing damage both on the edge and inside. He displayed excellent technique and put up elite agility and bend numbers at the NFL Combine, but his body type was odd for the position, and the Dolphins didn’t like what they saw from him, moving on after less than a week of training camp.

General manager Andrew Berry stated that Weaver transformed his body over the offseason, which is a good sign. He has a great shot to not only make the team, but to play a significant role this season. The preseason will be a good gauge for whether his run defense has improved and if he can handle the NFL physically.