Malik McDowell, the biggest dude on the Browns' defensive line, is about to complete a remarkable comeback story if he makes the initial 53 roster. He was drafted four years ago and never played in even a preseason game until this year with the Browns. (Cleveland Browns)
As Browns roster cuts trickle in, the biggest, baddest defensive lineman is still standing tall
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
Takeaways from early Browns roster cuts …
One of the longest shots to make the Browns’ 53-man roster is on the verge of doing it.
Behemoth defensive tackle Malik McDowell – who hadn’t even appeared in an NFL training camp since drafted in the second round in 2017 – was not among the early Browns roster cuts reported on Monday.
It appears that the 6-6, 295-pound McDowell – a man who actually towers above Myles Garrett -- has leap-frogged a crowded defensive tackle field and won a roster spot.
McDowell has been way more impressive than 2020 third-round pick Jordan Elliott, 2021 fourth-round pick Tommy Togiai and 2021 undrafted bonus baby Marvin Wilson, who was reportedly among the early cuts.
The Browns will disclose their initial “final” roster on Tuesday.
On Sunday night in Atlanta, McDowell was an unstoppable force in 19 snaps on the field. He pulverized Falcons rookie center Drew Dalman on one play and also pushed rookie guard Jalen Mayfield backwards to disrupt a play. McDowell also shared a sack of quarterback Feleipe Franks with Sheldon Day.
The previous week against the Giants, McDowell had five tackles, one sack and two quarterback hits in 25 snaps.
“Real excited for what Malik was able to do this preseason,” coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday. “And I really go back to when he first got here in rookie minicamp and first learning our techniques and our schemes. Then, you see a player gradually getting better. He did have some moments last night. Also, very physical at the point of attack.”
“Malik has been great,” coordinator Joe Woods said last week. “He is a big man. He has been great for the room. The older guys have taken him in under their wing just trying to help him. He is very powerful. He is a sponge.”
McDowell was rated a first-round draft pick out of Michigan State in 2017 by draft analyst Dane Brugler of The Athletic, ranked just behind Alabama’s Jonathan Allen and Stanford’s Solomon Thomas.
Thomas was taken third overall by the 49ers and Allen 17th by the Washington Football Team.
McDowell prompted some maturity concerns at MSU and fell to 35th overall in the second round, selected by the Seahawks.
McDowell never made it to Seahawks camp because of injuries sustained in an ATV accident. A deep descent followed. McDowell’s playing career appeared over after a series of off-the-field incidents involving alcohol and other criminal charges. He served six months in prison.
McDowell's signing in May was the first foray into controversy by squeaky-clean GM Andrew Berry. Berry issued a statement to explain why he risked disrupting the chemistry of a locker room intent on competing for the Super Bowl.
“We believe Malik is in a good place, personally and medically,” Berry said in the statement. “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.”
Last week, guard Joel Bitonio said of McDowell, “You can tell why he was a second-round pick. He’s big, he’s explosive, he has power, but he has enough quickness to get to the edge as well. He’s done some really good things. You could see in the [Giants] game, he was pretty disruptive out there. Jack Conklin, who played with him at Michigan State, said he looks like he’s becoming his old self again.”
McDowell has never played in an NFL regular-season game. Early in training camp, defensive line coach Chris Kiffin said, “He has size and athleticism and he’s hungry. This is a shot for him.”
If the Browns can harness McDowell’s unlimited potential and keep him focused on turning his life and career around, he could be a huge, unexpected bonus. He’s only 25 years old. A pass rush of Takk McKinley, Jadeveon Clowney, McDowell and Garrett could be downright frightening.
Early cuts
Multiple reports had the following players among the Browns’ initial roster cuts:
Returner JoJo Natson; safety Sheldrick Redwine; quarterback Kyle Lauletta; defensive ends Porter Gustin, Curtis Weaver and Cameron Malveaux; defensive tackle Marvin Wilson; tight ends Jordan Franks and Kyle Markway; linebackers Willie Harvey and Tegray Scales; safety Jovante Moffatt; cornerback Brian Allen.
Other potential roster designations include guard Drew Forbes and offensive tackle Greg Senat being placed on injured reserve, effectively ending their seasons, and receiver Davion Davis being shifted to the suspension list for two weeks.
Several of the Browns’ cuts could wind up on their 16-player practice squad after passing through the NFL waiver system.
All roster moves will be finalized on Tuesday.
Left hanging
Two players seemingly hanging by a thread are receiver KhaDarel Hodge and kicker Chase McLaughlin.
Stefanski would not tip his hand on either player.
On Hodge, who caught his second TD pass in two games, Stefanski said, “Obviously [he] made a nice play there in the end zone or just prior to the end zone. All of those guys, they are continuing to battle, which you love to see.”
On McLaughlin, who hit the crossbar on a 57-yard field goal attempt and also missed one of three PATs badly to the right, the coach said, “I tell you with every single one of these roster spots, these guys are fighting to be one of those 53. Chase is right there. He has had a really good camp. Obviously, you do not like to see a miss – we all know that – but he is working really hard.”
On McLaughlin’s long field goal try that fell a foot shot, Stefanski said, “That is a challenging kick. I do not know what the percentage is that you are expecting to make on 56. We wanted to put our field goal unit, not just Chase the whole unit, in a tough spot – snapper, holder and the entire blocking group. That was a challenge. It was close, but when that three-foot putt does not go in, you do not get to count it. It was a miss, but again, it was just part of the challenge and the evaluation.”
