Bubba Ventrone surely will find a place for sixth-round pick Nathaniel Watson's size and speed on his revamped kickoff teams. (Cleveland Browns)
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
Leftover takeaways from Browns rookie minicamp …
Sixth-round pick Nathaniel Watson falls beyond the Browns’ size preference for linebackers. Listed at 6-2 ¼ and 233 pounds, Watson figures to be the biggest linebacker on the roster when he joins the veterans in OTAs next week.
“A very physical linebacker and we think he fits what we do,” coach Kevin Stefanski said.
Watson was first or second in the SEC in tackles his last two years, and averaged 11.4 tackles per game in 2023 to win the conference’s defensive player of the year award.
And to think, Watson was an offensive star in high school, leading tiny Maplesville (AL) HS to three Alabama prep championships and one runner-up as a receiver. He also played linebacker on defense.
At Mississippi State, then-linebacker coach Tem Lukabu persuaded Watson to convert full time to linebacker. Lukabu is now linebackers coach with the Carolina Panthers.
“So then I just went with the flow,” Watson said. “And then after seeing previous linebackers get drafted and then go on and make money, I was like, I might really have a shot at this.”
I asked Watson if he missed scoring touchdowns on offense.
“I mean, not really,” he said. “I get my happiness out of knocking people out. That’s a positive for me.”
Watson looms very prominently as an immediate contributor on special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone’s reconfigured hybrid kickoff teams. Ventrone intends to add bigger players on the coverage and return teams because the new rules put a premium on size with speed.
“I don’t know how it’s going to work, but I know we’re close together, so that means it’s just a better impact,” Watson said. “Like I said, I’m a physical person. I just love hitting somebody, so I just can’t wait to get out there on special teams.”
ZZ top
Of all the new Browns at rookie minicamp this weekend, none was smiling more than Zak Zinter.
The guard from Michigan was just happy to be back on the field competing with teammates. His rehab from a broken left leg in the Ohio State game on November 25 was a lonely time. He was unable to join participate at the NFL Combine or Michigan’s pro day and couldn’t work out for NFL teams prior to the draft.
So when he joined three other offensive linemen in drill work under the auspices of new Browns O-line coaches Andy Dickerson and Roy Istvan, it was a momentous occasion for Zinter. The first time he put on a helmet in 5 ½ months.
“Oh, man, it felt great,” Zinter said. “I’ve been itching to get back out there on the field, you know what I mean? Going through the whole process and doing all that and not be able to compete and do anything [prior to the draft], it felt great. That’s what I’ve been working for my whole rehab, is get back out there.”
Zinter played only right guard at Michigan. Throughout OTAs and his first training camp, he’ll get reps at left guard and at center, also.
“[Dickerson] said we’re going to … once we get the basics down, we’re going to start switching around, moving all over the place,” Zinter said.
Smallest of the small
Andrew Berry has made 37 picks in his five drafts as Browns GM. Thirty-four have come from so-called Power 5 (major conferences) schools.
Of the three remaining picks, no player comes from a smaller school than cornerback Myles Harden of University of South Dakota (enrollment: 5,328) of the Missouri Valley Football Conference.
Harden, a native of south Florida, was recruited to South Dakota by former NFL linebacker Abdul Hodge. Harden started as a freshman and had opportunities to transfer to FBS programs but stayed loyal to South Dakota in tiny Vermillion, SD. He forced 11 turnovers in 29 career games.
He had no idea the Browns were interested in him.
The highlight of Harden’s brief Browns career so far?
“I met Denzel [Ward] [on Friday],” he said. “It was good, you know. Coach [Brandon Lynch] had brought him in the locker room to see me. It was good to see him and just talk to him. And hopefully, I’m gonna be under his wing soon.”
Harden figures to start his Browns career in training as a nickel back covering the inside slot receiver.
“I did it in college, like, the past two years,” Harden said. “I started moving inside
“I just feel like the biggest thing going inside is [there’s] more room inside. You know, it’s a two-way go rather than outside. You pretty much could send them one way. So I just say inside is two-way go. That’s the biggest adjustment it would be.”
The other players drafted by Berry from non-Power 5 schools are tight end Harrison Bryant (Florida Atlantic University) and defensive end Alex Wright of University of Alabama-Birmingham.
Brownie bits
Ventrone conducted an off-the-record primer on the new hybrid kickoff rule for media. Ventrone used a mini-grease board to explain the nuances of lining up, etc. He thinks the kickoff may resemble more of an offensive play from scrimmage and is totally fired up about implementing some creative strategies on kickoff return …
As of this weekend, the Browns had no idea if they’re playing in London against the Jaguars or if they’ll be one of four teams playing on Christmas Day or one of two playing on “Black Friday,” the day after Thanksgiving. These special games are likely to be announced by the NFL on Wednesday before the full schedule is released later that night …
What does Stefanski like about rookie minicamp? “We love having rookies in the building because they’re seated in their chairs 15 minutes prior to the meeting,” he said. “All the notebooks are opened, pencils in their hands. Very eager learners. Same thing out here [on the field]. I think the walk-through [Friday] morning started at 10:45 and I think at 10:25 all of them were out here. Little bit different than their veteran counterparts.”