The Browns' big rookie class grew in a big way Thursday when the team announced it had come to terms with 11 additional undrafted free agents.
This new injection of talent will be on the field alongside Cleveland's 14 draft picks at next week's rookie minicamp. Expect many more tryout players to join them for what always serves as an entertaining, competitive weekend of football on the practice fields in Berea.
Here were the five things that stood out when we first glanced at the list
Another Matthews in Cleveland
Perhaps one of the most prolific families in NFL history has another member in the league, as Texas A&M center Mike Matthews is set to join the Browns. A three-year starter for the Aggies, Matthews is the son of Hall of Famer Bruce Matthews, brother of Falcons offensive lineman Jake Matthews, nephew of Browns legend Clay Matthews and cousin of Green Bay Pro Bowl linebacker Clay Matthews III. He plays a position where the Browns could need some depth in the wake of Alex Mack's offseason departure and elevation of Cameron Erving. The only offensive lineman in this group of UDFAs, Matthews joins fellow rookies Shon Coleman and Spencer Drango, both of whom project to be tackles.
No RBs for a 2nd time
Hue Jackson likes what he has in Cleveland's backfield with Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson, and that's become very clear with last weekend's draft and today's announcement of undrafted free agents. Of the 25 new additions, none are running backs, making it the only position group on the team that does not have at least one new face. Jackson explained why earlier this week on the Browns' Post-Draft Special. "I'm very comfortable with our group — not just those two — but our group as a whole," Jackson said. "I think we have some really good players there. I think it's amazing I get so much mail or phone calls of people saying, 'Wait a minute! Why don't you guys have a running back?' I think Isaiah Crowell is a really good running back and I think he's going to have a sensational season. And I think Duke Johnson, who really burst on the scene last year, is going to have a great year as well."
Browns add competition at kicker
Cleveland nabbed a decorated and international kicker to compete with Travis Coons. Maryland's Brad Craddock won the 2014 Lou Groza Award after connecting on 18 of 19 field goals, including 11 from 40 yards. The highlight came when he nailed a 57-yard field goal against Ohio State that season. This past season, Craddock -- an Adelaide, Australia, native -- was 8-of-10 on field goals before his college career ended prematurely because of a hand injury.
Fullback, too
Malcolm Johnson has been the only fullback on Cleveland's roster since the Browns cut it down to 53 last September. When he went down with a season-ending injury midway through his rookie season, Cleveland opted to run its offense without a traditional fullback instead of replacing him with a player who boasted a similar skill set. It's unclear how a player such as Johnson will fit into the Browns' 2016 offense, but there will be some competition for that spot with the addition of Patrick Skov. Skov spent most of his career at Stanford and his final year at Georgia Tech, where he was used much more as a rusher. Johnson didn't attempt a rush in 2015 but caught four passes for 15 yards before his injury.
Secondary matters
The Browns addressed their defensive backs room on Day 3 of the draft with a safety (TCU's Derrick Kindred) in the fourth round and a cornerback (Louisiana-Monroe's Trey Caldwell) in the late fifth. On Thursday, that room grew by four with the additions of Kenya Dennis (Missouri), Mikell Everette (Sam Houston State), Tracy Howard (Miami) and A.J. Stamps (Kentucky). Dennis, Everette and Howard were cornerbacks at the college level while Stamps was a safety. Dennis, at 5-foot-11 and 200 pounds, was a big, physical cornerback who has the capability to move to safety if that's what the Browns want to do.
