clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Cleveland Browns Training Camp 2016: OL Preview, Part 4

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

In the final part of our offensive line preview on the Cleveland Browns, we look at Conor Boffeli, Dan France, Kaleb Johnson, and Erle Ladson. In other words, it's the group of guys you probably had no idea were on the roster.

12. CONOR BOFFELI - BACKUP OFFENSIVE GUARD

8276_mediumConor Boffeli (#68)

Height:
6-4 | Weight: 304
Age: 24 | Experience: 1 year
College: Iowa

Note: Offensive guard ... Spent most time with the Bears ... Praised for technique, but panned for overall skill.

Conor Boffeli was an undrafted free agent in 2014. He spent his first NFL season in training camp with the Houston Texans. After not making their roster, he was signed to the Chicago Bears' practice squad for the season. He was with them through training camp in 2015, but didn't make the final roster. Now, he finds himself competing for a spot on the Browns.

Coming out of college, the scouting report on Boffeli was that he had good footwork in pass protection and good overall technique, but that his short arms, limited athleticism, and lack of size leaves him a bit overmatched for the position at the NFL level.

Final Roster Odds: <5%



13. DAN FRANCE - BACKUP OFFENSIVE TACKLE

8276_mediumDan France (#79)

Height:
6-5 | Weight: 315
Age: 25 | Experience: 1 year
College: Michigan State

Note: Local kid from North Royalton ... Spent two years on Bengals' practice squad with Hue Jackson ... Offensive tackle.

Dan France signed with the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2014. Over the next two seasons, he bounced back-and-forth on the team's practice squad. When the Bengals released him this past November from their practice squad, Cleveland signed him to their practice squad in December. So, while Hue Jackson should have some familiarity with France, he's not the one who brought him to Cleveland.

France received more snaps in training camp and during the preseason with the Bengals last year due to the team having several camp injuries. France did his best to pick up pointers from veteran lineman Andrew Whitworth, who in turn praised France:

"He's a tough guy. He's got a lot of tough nastiness. He's a true old school lineman. He just likes to get after guys. Finisher. He definitely fits the mentality of something Hue really likes."

France is from North Royalton, Ohio, so he is one of the local products in camp this year, which should allow fans to have a rooting interest in him.

Final Roster Odds: 10%



14. KALEB JOHNSON - BACKUP OFFENSIVE GUARD

8276_mediumKaleb Johnson (#65)

Height:
6-4 | Weight: 316
Age: 23 | Experience: 1 year
College: Rutgers

Note: Offensive guard ... Spent most of last season with the Ravens, then about a month on Browns' 53-man roster.

Kaleb Johnson signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2015. He spent the first 11 weeks of the season on their practice squad. He was promoted to their active roster, but waived a couple of weeks later and Cleveland claimed him off waivers. He was listed as a guard during his time in Baltimore.

While in college, Johnson received a 4th- to 7th-round draft grade, so he decided to return to college for another year. When he didn't even get invited to the NFL Combine when he was ready to enter the draft, he couldn't believe it. Scouting reports coming out of college praised his weight-room strength and the quickness of his feet, but panned his leg strength and making too many mistakes against defenders.

Final Roster Odds: <5%



15. ERLE LADSON - BACKUP OFFENSIVE TACKLE

8276_mediumErle Ladson (#69)

Height:
6-6 | Weight: 346
Age: 24 | Experience: 1 year
College: Delaware

Note: Offensive tackle ... Spent most of last season on team's practice squad ... Biggest offensive lineman by far, biggest player on the team.

Erle Ladson signed with the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2014. He didn't make the club after training camp and spent the year out of football. He signed with the Browns right at the start of training camp in 2015 and spent most of the season on the team's practice squad.

The first thing that obviously stands out about Ladson is his size. At 346 pounds, he is the team's biggest offensive lineman by about 25 pounds. Heck, he's the biggest guy on the 90-man roster if we're to believe that Danny Shelton lost the weight that he did. In terms of how he performs, we don't have much information on that, but his size will give you something to remember him by during camp!

Final Roster Odds: <5%



Today's poll asks which of these four players intrigues you the most.