Takeaways from the start of Browns OTAs …
I contend the key to the Browns’ revamped offensive line is the center.
Which makes Parker Brailsford, the fifth-round pick from Alabama, a player of note as Todd Monken’s OTA practices begin blending veterans with rookies this week.
The media get their first look at Monken’s full roster of players – well, a few veterans are still absent from this voluntary portion – on Wednesday. It is the second of 10 scheduled OTA practices, which lead into three final spring practices at Monken’s mandatory minicamp in June.
And while 99 percent of the focus, social media posts and gasbag conversation will be directed toward the quarterbacks, I am particularly interested to see who lines up at center with the first team offense in 11-on-11 periods.
If Brailsford is already lining up with the first unit, it means the Browns believe he can realistically open the season as the starting center. Or at least, compete with Luke Wypler, when healthy, for the job.
Why is that important? If Brailsford is tabbed the starting center, it enables the Browns to return Elgton Jenkins to his best position at left guard, and that would mean a stronger O-line as a whole.
Brailsford is the fourth stab at center in GM Andrew Berry’s seven drafts. Previous centers were Nick Harris (fifth round, 2020), Dawson Deaton (seventh round, 2022) and Wypler (sixth round, 2023).
Injuries derailed each center’s career. Harris had six career starts, Deaton none, and Wypler six. Harris and Deaton are currently without teams and Wypler is trying to return from his second season-ending injury (knee) in three seasons.
What are the chances of Berry finding a starting center in the fifth round?
Of the projected starting centers among the 31 teams other than the Browns, 12 were drafted in the fifth round or later. Seven were undrafted.
And although Berry was 0-for-3 prior to drafting Brailsford, the GM certainly has had a hot hand in the last two drafts.
Brownie bits
Video and still photographs posted on the Browns’ Website and on their social media feeds showed receiver Jerry Jeudy was in attendance at the first OTA practice on Tuesday. There were no images posted of Myles Garrett, Denzel Ward or Grant Delpit, who were notable no-shows from Monken’s voluntary veteran minicamp last month …
Running back Quinshon Judkins, who was not cleared to practice for the voluntary minicamp, apparently practiced on Tuesday. Judkins was in uniform in images posted on the team’s Website. Judkins apparently has reverted to jersey No. 10 after it was announced he was changing to No. 1. Rookie receiver KC Concepcion is now wearing No. 1 …
The Browns have signed two of the 25 players they invited to rookie minicamp on a tryout basis. They are receiver Aaron Anderson of LSU and linebacker Reid Carrico of West Virginia and Ohio State. The team also signed defensive end Markees Watts, formerly of Tampa Bay …
NFL owners approved the sale of 3 percent equity in the Browns to Arctos, a private equity firm based in Dallas. In 2024, NFL owners voted to allow approved private equity firms to acquire up to a 10 percent stake in teams. They can hold equity in as many as six teams. Arctos holds 10 percent equity in the Bills and 8 percent in the Chargers, as well. Based on the most recent valuation by Forbes of $6.4 billion for the Browns, Arctos’ investment will net Haslam Sports Group about $190 million. HSG recently announced it was increasing its contribution to the cost of new Huntington Bank Field by $200 million. It means it is committed to 67.5 percent of the new estimate of $2.6 billion to build the Brook Park covered stadium.