Browns sign Chardon native Joe Madsen

If you have an extra roster spot, why not use it on a local product?

The Browns chose this route on Wednesday, signing Chardon native and offensive lineman Joe Madsen to replace Tyler Loos, who retired earlier this summer. The Browns announced the move late Wednesday afternoon.

A Chardon High School product, Madsen stands at 6'3, 310 pounds. Madsen then spent a fruitful career at West Virginia University, starting 50 games over and receiving All-Big East second team honors in 2011 and All-Big 12 second team honors in 2012.

The only significant blemish to Madsen's time in Morgantown is that he was ruled academically ineligible for WVU's bowl game at the end of his senior year, according to his NFL.com draft profile.

Following his career as a Mountaineer, Madsen signed with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent prior to the 2013 season. Madsen then spent most of 2014 as a member of the Los Angeles KISS, a franchise in the Arena Football League.

Madsen did catch on as a member of the Packers' practice squad during the postseason last year, but did not stick.

As reported earlier Wednesday by the News-Herald, the Browns have reached the 90-player maximum heading into training camp.