Taking a look at three players who could get the “axe” unless they have a productive camp
The Cleveland Browns have officially set their training camp dates and practice schedule for 2024 with players beginning to arrive at the Greenbrier on July 22nd and 23rd.
Though last year’s training camp was extremely anticipated, it will be hard to beat the excitement of this season’s event. When it comes to the amount of talent that this team has had on its roster in recent years, there’s a good chance that the 2024 iteration of the Browns could be the best.
Like most years, a few personnel moves will be made that are considered to be “head-scratchers” and today we’re going to throw out a few names that could be on the cut list following training camp depending on their performance.
WR David Bell
As much as it hurts to say this, Bell needs to be a difference-maker in the slot during camp or he could be on the way out.
Though he does his job well whenever he’s on the field as both a blocker and pass catcher, the amount of talent that Cleveland has at wide receiver right now could be detrimental to his roster security. Guys like Jamari Thrash and Michael Woods II will be heading into training camp looking to prove themselves while Matt Landers, who the Browns were very interested in during the 2022 NFL Draft process, fits the mold of what Ken Dorsey could be looking for as a jump-ball threat.
Needless to say, if he doesn’t show enough to be a top-5 receiver on this roster over the next month or so his chances of making the 53-man roster will undoubtedly go down.
Post June-1st cut cap savings: $1,163,628
DT Siaki Ika
It’s hard to believe that a player drafted in 2023 could be on the roster “bubble” but it's 100% true when it comes to Siaki Ika.
He came into camp out of shape last year and was underwhelming throughout the regular season for the four games that he was active. Ika has appeared to drop some weight this offseason in order to improve his movement skills but he needs to prove that he can be an asset on the interior during camp.
Cleveland’s defensive tackle room is already stacked with proven talent and veteran players like Dalvin Thomlinson, Shelby Harris, Quinton Jefferson, and Maurice Hurst. These guys are already slated to share most of the early-down and sub-package snaps in 2024 regardless of Ika’s production in camp. The team drafted two defensive tackles in this year’s NFL Draft as well so it’s hard to believe that Ika is going to make the 53-man roster unless he has a monstrous camp.
Post-June 1st cut cap savings: $991,095
OT James Hudson
Hudson has been somewhat of a controversial player during his time in Cleveland from the perspective of a fan. Depending on who you ask, he’s either been “one of the team’s top depth linemen” or “not even an NFL caliber player”.
The reality is, that he’s been nothing short of atrocious when on the field at offensive tackle. He’s been fairly effective as the team’s sixth offensive lineman in different short-yardage and sub-packages but that’s realistically it.
The team went out and signed offensive tackles Hakeem Adeniji and Germain Ifedi in free agency this offseason and both of them would be considered an upgrade over Hudson at this point. Unless new offensive line coach Andy Dickerson can finally “fix” Hudson’s pass-blocking weaknesses next month, there’s no reason why he should be on the team in 2024.
Post-June 1st cut cap savings: $1,055,000
