Browns OL Named 'UDFA To Watch'

The Cleveland Browns hope their improved offense in 2024 can keep up with their already dominant defense from 2023.

Part of the offensive improvement they're looking for is along the offensive line. Improvement that is needed to help keep their $230 million quarterback Deshaun Watson healthy for a deep postseason run.

Sep 23, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Javion Cohen (70) celebrates a touchdown in the third quarter against the Temple Owls at Lincoln Financial Field. © Andy Lewis-USA TODAY Sports

One of the potentially most notable additions along the offensive line didn't come from the draft this past April - it came afterward.

Cleveland signed former Miami Hurricanes guard Javion Cohen, who was named by NFLTradeRumors.com as one of the undrafted free agents to watch this upcoming season.

BROWNS: MIAMI G JAVION COHEN

"Cohen was one of the highest-ranked players on the consensus board to be left without a team once the draft ended, slotting in at No. 169. He started two years at Alabama before transferring to Miami and starting a third, earning second-team All-SEC and honorable mention All-ACC in those last two years. Cohen is a wide body at 6-4 and 322 pounds. However, he's more powerful than nimble and that combined with a lack of positional flexibility may have hurt him during the pre-draft process.

"He took an official 30 visit with the Browns which likely helped give Cleveland an edge in securing his commitment. The other edge is how well Cohen fits the Browns' offense. While Browns HC Kevin Stefanski has a background in the wide zone rushing offense - the ubiquitous Shanahan tree - Cleveland runs a diverse menu of run concepts compared to a lot of other teams and have particularly leaned into gap runs over the past few seasons. While some of those runs, like counter, require guards to be able to pull, overall there's more of a premium placed on power over athleticism compared to zone schemes, which still dominate the league right now."

Cohen is currently listed as the No. 4 left guard on the Browns' training camp roster - which means absolutely nothing right now.

But he'll be competing for a backup role or even a depth position with several other players who also have their sights set on a spot on Cleveland's 53-man final roster in September.