The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Seminoles’ Wilson added to defense
Tackle highlights team’s list of undrafted signees
The hits roll on for the Browns in the 2021 draft, even after the Buccaneers nab Grant Stuard in 259th pick.
The hits continued for the Browns in the 2021 draft, even after the seven-round annual stocking of NFL rosters concluded with the Buccaneers selecting Grant Stuard with the 259th pick.
Teams begin chasing undrafted players within a minute of the draft ending. The Browns signed Florida State defensive tackle Marvin Wilson, regarded as one of the best players still looking after Stuard was picked, to a $30,000 signing bonus with $162,000 guaranteed, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
The Browns did not confirm signing Wilson. They typically do not announce signing undrafted players until four or five days after the draft.
The contract is unusually large for an undrafted player. The deal is a signal the Browns are willing to pay, but also shows players want to play in Cleveland because they are joining a roster good enough to compete for a Super Bowl championship. That was established when the Browns signed safety John Johnson III on the first day of NFL free agency.
“I felt like it was an opportunity of a lifetime, coming to a situation where things are moving in the right direction,” Johnson said in March. “That’s rare in this business. It’s really a business that it’s rare that people care about you, people actually appreciate you and people want to do things the right way. This city as a whole, let alone the organization, it drips that.”
“He lacks reaction time off the snap. So playing at a quicker weight might be pivotal for his success.” — NFL.com scouting report on Marvin Wilson
Wilson played in 39 games and started 19 on the Florida State interior defensive line over four seasons. He totaled 110 tackles, 9.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss.
Wilson, 6-foot-4, 303 pounds, missed time with a hand injury in 2019 and a knee injury in 2020, which might explain why he went undrafted. NFL.com, however, projected him as a fifth-round pick.
“Former five-star recruit who flashed good power, talent and motor in 2019 to back that rating up,” the NFL.com scouting report said. “However, Wilson wore excess weight in 2020, which slowed him and made him much less effective. His 2019 tape
shows a classic stack-andshed interior lineman with the strength and anchor to help control the line of scrimmage for 4-3 or 3-4 defenses.
“He lacks reaction time off the snap. So playing at a quicker weight might be pivotal for his success. He rushes with sheer force and leverage to push the pocket but might be capable of more with additional schooling. Wilson has potential but could be pegged as nothing more than a rotational two-gapper.”
Defensive line coach Chris Kiffin can take his time developing Wilson. The Browns signed defensive tackle Malik Wilson in free agency and used a fourth-round draft choice on defensive tackle Tommy Togiai from Ohio State.
They join Jordan Elliiott and Andrew Billings. Marvin Wilson would make five
defensive tackles, all with a legitimate chance to make the final roster.
Making Marvin Wilson a priority continues the trend of building the defense. Five of the eight players the Browns drafted play defense — cornerback Greg Newsom (first round), linebacker Jeremiah OwusuForamoah (second round), Togiai, linebacker Tony Fields and safety Richard LeCounte (both fifth round).
“When we had our endof-the-year press conference, we talked about adding speed really across the roster,” Browns EVP of Football Operations Andrew Berry said at the conclusion of the draft. “I think the NFL more and more is a bit more of a space game. For us, really whether it’s the offensive side of the ball or the defensive side of the ball, we do want guys who
can really run and play in space.”
Aside from Johnson and Malik Wilson, the Browns stocked the defense in free agency by signing cornerback Troy Hill, defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, defensive end Takkarist McKinley and linebacker Anthony Walker. They resigned linebacker Malcolm Smith.
According to various reports, the Browns have also signed the following undrafted players: Cornerback Emmanuel Rugamba from Miami of Ohio; edge rusher Romeo McKnight from Charlotte, (the same college that produced Larry Ogunjobi) and cornerback Kiondre Thomas from Kansas State.
Agent Adam Seifer tweeted the Browns have signed one of his clients — running back Tre Harbison III, also from Charlotte.