Browns go for high-reward with low-risk Taven Bryan signing

Andrew Berry pulled the trigger on the Browns first free agent of the 2022 season: defensive tackle, Taven Bryan.

The Cleveland Browns have officially entered the chat in the 2022 free agency tampering period. While there was a flurry of action and insane money getting thrown around just after the noon kickoff, general manager Andrew Berry let the dust settle before getting into the fray.

The Browns are now on the board with the signing of free agent defensive tackle Taven Bryan.

Bryan is a former first round draft pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was selected with the 29th overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft out of the University of Florida. While in Jacksonville, Bryan appeared in 63 games for the Jaguars and started in 17 contests.

The Jaguars declined to pick up his fifth -year option and his playing time dwindled during his last year in Jacksonville.

While not a splash signing, Bryan has the high physical upside that Berry looks for in reclamation projects. When Bryan was in the draft cycle Berry was in his first stint with the Browns operating as the vice president of player personnel; and had no doubt done his due diligence on the Florida Gator.

Reportedly the deal for Bryan is one-year and worth up to $5 million.

Bryan physically tested off the charts with a Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of 9.91. Measuring in at six-foot-five and 291lbs, Bryan ran a sub five 40-yard dash (4.98) with a vertical jump of 35 inches. Bryan also had a standing broad jump of 119 inches showcasing his lower body explosion.

Physically the tools are there for Bryan to be a dominating force, but up to this point of his professional career his has not lived up to his potential. Obviously, Berry is convinced that a change of scenery, and the aid of the Browns’ coaching staff, can unlock Bryan’s potential.

This is the type of personnel move that has become Berry’s modus operandi since taking over as the Browns general manager. It is a low-risk strategy with a high upside. Berry takes chances on young (Bryan is 26) former first round talents that have failed to meet their lofty expectations and gives them one-year prove it deals. Basically, gamble on talent and coach them up.

If Bryan is able to reach 75% of what his potential was thought to be entering the league, then the signing is a homerun. If Bryan flounders and never finds his footing in Cleveland, then he will be gone after the 2022 season.