Cleveland Browns: Biggest undrafted sleeper after the 2020 NFL Draft

Who is the Cleveland Browns’ biggest 2020 undrafted sleeper?

The 2020 NFL Draft was a fun and exciting time for Cleveland Browns fans everywhere. After a disappointing 2019 season despite a seemingly stacked offense and adequate defense, the Browns shook up the coaching staff and made many changes. This once again has heightened the expectations of the upcoming season in 2020.

Following the draft’s conclusion, fans have grown even more excited. This is because the Browns managed to land former Alabama tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. with the 10th overall pick and former LSU safety Grant Delpit in the second round, both of whom have high ceilings and pretty high floors.

They also drafted a good pass-rushing defensive tackle in Jordan Elliott and potential future starters late in the draft in tight end Harrison Bryant, receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones, and interior offensive lineman Nick Harris.

That wasn’t all though. Once the 2020 NFL Draft came to an end, the Cleveland Browns wasted no time securing some high-profile undrafted free agents. Overall, their undrafted free agent class was quite impressive, finishing fourth in Rotoworld’s Thor Nystrom’s 2020 UDFA class rankings.

In the class, the Browns signed four defensive backs, three pass catchers, two offensive linemen, two running backs, one quarterback, one defensive lineman, and one linebacker, totaling 14 altogether. Though not the most prized signee, quarterback Kevin Davidson is an interesting player to watch as he could very well end up winning the back-up quarterback job.

The best free-agent signing by the Browns after the draft was Georgia’s Brian Herrien.

Despite already touting one of the best running back tandems in the league, if not the best, the Cleveland Browns chose to sign Georgia’s Brian Herrien as an undrafted free agent. Herrien joins a crowded room that includes top tier backs such as Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, but also quality depth options like Dontrell Hilliard and D’Ernest Johnson.

Still, even facing those odds, Herrien has the talent and drive to make waves and the team come August. After all, he’s done it before. While in Athens, Herrien had to sit behind the likes of Nick Chubb, Sony Michel, D’Andre Swift, and Elijah Holyfield. Although having to deal with such a high level of competition, Herrien still commanded no less than 58 touches and as many as 119 over his four years at Georgia.

Herrien played against a tough SEC conference, but still averaged over five yards per carry for his career and totaled over 1,500 yards and scored 15 touchdowns. He plays with a tenacity that is unmatched and is always willing to lower his shoulder on a run or set his base and throw his body at a linebacker when pass protecting.

The Georgia product is a hard-running back who won’t try to shake-and-bake his way to the endzone, valuing brute power instead. He is also an undervalued pass-catcher and is capable of making the toughest of catches, such as the one below against the University of Florida.

Herrien’s ability to push forward through scrums and powerful drive, coupled with a yet-to-be fully realized ability to catch passes out of the backfield could see him become a highly touted number two back in an NFL backfield. Think of Mark Ingram or Latavius Murray and their role behind New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara.

At the very least, Herrien’s good pass protection and high motor should see him secure some role as a top special teamer and running back on max protection throws. However, don’t be at all surprised to see Herrien secure a role as Cleveland’s number two back once Hunt leaves in free agency come 2021.