The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Troubled DT receives chance after injury
Malik McDowell at 6-foot-6 and 299 pounds suffered a serious head injury before his first training camp.
The Browns on May 3 officially announced signing undrafted defensive tackle Marvin Wilson from Florida State along with four other undrafted rookies.
The Browns also decided to take a chance on a troubled defensive tackle who hasn’t played in a football game since 2016 when he was at Michigan State.
Malik McDowell, 6-foot-6, 299 pounds, was a second-round draft pick by the Seattle Seahawks in 2017. He suffered a serious head injury in an ATV accident before his first training camp and was placed on the reserve/did not report list.
McDowell was arrested on a DUI charge in September of 2017 and a disorderly conduct charge three months later. He missed all of 2018 on Seattle’s reserve/nonfootball injury list.
McDowell had other brushes with the law that hampered his return to football. He got into a scuffle with police and was charged with assault, resisting arrest, and operating a vehicle while intoxicated on Feb. 18, 2019. The Seahawks released him two weeks later. McDowell’s criminal behavior continued.
One month after the Seahawks released him, police arrested McDowell for receiving and concealing stolen property when they found a stolen car in his possession. He pleaded guilty in November 2019 and was sentenced to 11 months in prison.
The Browns always talk about wanting high character players, but they are obviously willing to give McDowell a second chance.
“We believe Malik is in a good place, personally and medically.” — Browns EVP of Football Operations Andrew Berry
“We are certainly aware of Malik’s past, as we have done extensive work on him for the last two months,” EVP of Football Operations Andrew Berry said in a statement. “He is accountable for his actions and has had to live with the consequences for decisions earlier in his life.
“We believe Malik is in a good place, personally and medically. He has taken the necessary steps to get on a healthy path, and has learned from his experiences. Malik understands the expectations we have of him as he attempts to make our football team. He is committed to taking advantage of the support network in place to become the
best version of himself— both on and off the field— and we will support him as he attempts to make his return to football.”
The NFL.com scouting report on McDowell coming out of college had much to say. Here are a few highlights:
“Freaky combination of size and athleticism ... has tremendous amount of untapped potential waiting to be unlocked ... footwork and technique are a mess ... scouts concerned about work ethic and leadership.”
McDowell worked out for the Miami Dolphins last October but was not signed. In March, his agent told Aaron Wilson, who was working for the Houston Chronicle at the time, that McDowell is ready to make a serious commitment to football.
“Malik has been cleared by several doctors and is
doing everything he needs to do on and off the field,” William Farah told Wilson. “Malik has been working out with trainer Mike Barwis at his facilities in Florida and Michigan with his trainers every day and he’s in great shape. He’s back up to 295 pounds and he’s feeling really good physically and mentally.
“You won’t find many players more athletic than he is at his size. A team would get a guy who’s hungry as can be, is extremely focused and wants to capitalize on any opportunity he gets to get back in the NFL.”
McDowell is only 24 years old. He played in 36 games with Michigan State and registered 90 tackles, 24.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and one interception.
“He’s been forced to do
a lot growing and maturing these past few years,” Farah said. “I think teams will find he’s a much different person than he was coming out of college. He’s far more mature. He’s been extremely humbled, and he has rededicated himself to his craft.”
Along with confirming they signed Wilson, who played in 39 games with 19 starts while collecting 110 tackles, 9.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, six passes defensed, one fumble recovery and three blocked kicks, the Browns announced the following players were signed: Running back Tre Harbison from Charlotte; defensive end Romeo McKnight, also from Charlotte, plus a pair of cornerbacks: Emmanuel Rugamba from Miami of Ohio and Kiondre Thomas from Kansas State.