Cleveland Browns: 3 potential contributors no one saw coming

2. Taven Bryan, DT

When the Browns added Taven Bryan in free agency, it was considered a smart signing. There was hardly any risk and they did add a former first-round pick at a position of need. As the offseason progressed though, the move seemed to fall by the wayside.

Of course, in a year where Cleveland added Watson, Cooper, Chase Winovich, and new fan-favorite Perrion Winfrey, it was understandable that the quiet addition of Bryan was slightly forgotten.

For the former 29th overall pick, that could end up being a good thing. Bryan now has a chance to restart his NFL career — and can do so without the pressure he had in Jacksonville. And as far as his move from one of the warmer states in the nation to Cleveland, Bryan is loving the transition.

"“It’s obviously nice to go to a place that’s kind of cooler,” Bryan said via Nate Ulrch of the Akron Beacon Journal. “I’m from the cold, so this was pretty nice. I like the team. I did my research on them. I asked about them. Everybody has friends on every team — nothing but good reviews, so I thought it would be a good place to go.”"

Nicknamed the “Wyoming Wildman” by his former defensive line coach at Florida, Bryan has also loved the interaction with fans in Cleveland. Ulrich recapped a story Bryan told about how signing paperwork on the sale of his home turned into a discussion about defensive schemes and line gaps. Bryan called the fans in northeast Ohio crazy, but said it’s a “good crazy.”

As of now, it appears Bryan will be one of the starters on the defensive line and he could wind up being a major contributor, even though he’s been slightly under the radar.

1. Michael Woods, WR

When the Browns added Michael Woods II from Oklahoma in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, there wasn’t much of a reaction. Most who followed the team knew they would be looking for more talent at the position, and it seemed this was someone that could try and fight for a spot on the 53-man roster.

But after a few practices, it’s becoming clear that Cleveland might have found another hidden talent late in the draft. Woods, who had just 400 yards on 35 receptions for the Sooners in 2021, has been displaying some very precise route-running and is a natural pass-catcher.

He also had an impressive play on Saturday where he originally had his man beat for a touchdown, but then showed he can track the ball in the air as he adjusted to an underthrown ball from Jacoby Brissett and still made the play.

Woods originally looked to be buried deep on the depth chart but his early progress — as well as injuries suffered by David Bell and Isaiah Weston — could help him make a stronger impression.

Cleveland does have two starters they believe in with Cooper and Donovan Peoples-Jones but almost nothing behind them is set in stone. That could be enough for Woods to find himself contributing as a rookie, despite having very little fanfare when he was selected.