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In Part 2 of our Cleveland Browns training camp preview on the defensive line, we looked at the team's primary backups on the line. Today, in Part 3, we look at the final group of four who face an uphill battle trying to win a roster spot this camp.
9. JACOBBI MCDANIEL - LAST YEAR'S TRAINING CAMP HOLDOVER
Jacobbi McDaniel (#60)Height: 6-0 | Weight: 293
Age: 25 | Experience: 1 year
College: Florida State
Note: Only holdover from last year's trio of young DL competing in camp. ... Played 1 regular season game.
The Browns signed Jacobbi McDaniel after a rookie tryout in 2014. The former undrafted free agent entered last year's camp in a bit of a three-way competition on the back-end of the roster between himself, Calvin Barnett, and Cam Henderson. The coaches liked McDaniel the most, awarding him a spot on the practice squad.
McDaniel spent the majority of 2014 on-and-off the practice squad. He did receive one brief call-up to the 53-man roster, playing 21 snaps against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 7, a game in which he finished with 1 pass defended. In that one game, he did make mini-headlines as a photo of the beating his helmet took in such little time made the rounds:
Brain. Rattled. RT @FlemESPN: #Browns helmet photo from @JacobbiJustice http://t.co/kmW3Ac3455 pic.twitter.com/jpUtTbkLi1
— Sam Monson (@PFF_Sam) October 23, 2014
McDaniel will have a tough time unseating the eight players ahead of him on the depth chart, but he should be very much alive for another spot on the practice squad.
Final Roster Odds: ~5%
10. JAMIE MEDER - LOCAL PLAYER COMPETING FOR SPOT
Jamie Meder (#66)Height: 6-3 | Weight: 295
Age: 24 | Experience: 1 year
College: Ashland
Note: Local kid. ... Called up for Week 17 finale in 2014. ... Needs to find a way for his helmet to stay on!
Jamie Meder is a local kid who was is from Parma, Ohio, as he attended Valley Forge High School before playing college football at Ashland University. Meder originally replaced Jacobbi McDaniel on the practice squad last November (but McDaniel was re-signed a week later).
When the Browns needed a defensive lineman for the Week 17 finale against the Ravens, though, the team opted to call up Meder over McDaniel. Meder played 26 snaps against the Ravens, registering 1 tackle, and he was also known for his helmet coming off during play several times. Here is what Draft Insider said about him as a prospect last season:
Meder was a disruptive defender on the small school level who made plays stopping the run as well as rushing the passer. He offers size, athleticism as well as growth potential and offers ability as a 3 technique tackle or defensive end in certain 3-4 alignments.
Final Roster Odds: ~5%
11. CHRISTIAN TUPOU - THIRD-STRING DEFENSIVE LINEMAN
Christian Tupou (#78)Height: 6-4 | Weight: 305
Age: 26 | Experience: 2 years
College: USC
Note: This will be his fourth year trying to make an NFL roster. ... Has only seen limited experience with Bears.
After bouncing around practice squads for several years, the Browns added Christian Tupou to their practice squad last October. He was with the club until early May, when he was waived. He returned at the end of May, occupying a spot previously held by Calvin Barnett.
Tupou entered the NFL back in 2012 as an undrafted free agent. In 2013, he played in 5 games with the Chicago Bears, logging 3 tackles. Last year, he spent time with four teams, either during the offseason or on a practice squad, with the most recent team being the Browns. Draft Insider's scouting report is probably dated by now, but back in 2012, here is what they had to say about Tupou:
Tupou is a powerful plugger on the inside who takes up space or occupies blockers, which allows teammates to make plays on the ball. He offers potential as a rotational interior lineman.
Final Roster Odds: ~1%
12. TORY SLATER - UNDRAFTED FREE AGENT DEFENSIVE LINEMAN
Tory Slater (#57)Height: 6-5 | Weight: 290
Age: 26 | Experience: 2 years
College: West Georgia
Note: The team's only UDFA defensive lineman this year. ... Posted good sack numbers in college.
The Browns claimed DL Tory Slater off waivers from the Seattle Seahawks at the beginning of June.
Slater, an undrafted free agent out of West Georgia, finished his final season there with 10 sacks. Here is what Field Gulls, our Seahawks affiliate, said about Slater in their scouting report prior to the draft:
West Georgia DT Tory Slater made some waves as a sleeper last month at his pro day with a 35.5" vertical jump at 6'5, 285 pounds. The small-school nose tackle/defensive lineman is the type of one-gap, penetrating type of player the Seahawks like for their nickel packages, and he could be a late-round or UDFA target.
Slater had been waived/injured in mid-May, and then was waived from the Seahawks' injured reserve. Slater's sack numbers off some intrigue, but will he be too buried on the depth chart to make a splash?
Final Roster Odds: ~5%
That concludes our preview on the Browns' defensive line. Feel free to discuss your thoughts on the defensive line below. Our poll asks which of the four players in today's preview you are most intrigued by.