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Cleveland Browns ERFA Review: FB Danny Vitale

Will the Browns retain their starting fullback?

By Chris Pokorny
NFL: Cleveland Browns at Houston Texans Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

Our preview on the Browns’ exclusive rights free agents continues with FB Danny Vitale.

What Are Exclusive Rights Free Agents?

Players with two or fewer accrued seasons are ERFAs. An accrued season is defined as the following in the NFL CBA:

A player shall receive one Accrued Season for each season during which he was on, or should have been on, full pay status for a total of six or more regular season games, but which, irrespective of the player’s pay status, shall not include games for which the player was on: (i) the Exempt Commissioner Permission List, (ii) the Reserve PUP List as a result of a nonfootball injury, or (iii) a Club’s Practice Squad.

By rule, ERFAs earn the minimum salary of the number of credited seasons they have under their belt. A credited season is defined as the following in the NFL CBA:

A player shall earn one Credited Season for each season during which he was on, or should have been on, full pay status for a total of three or more regular season games, but which, irrespective of the player’s pay status, shall not include games for which this player was on: (i) the Exempt Commissioner Permission List; (ii) the Reserve PUP List as a result of a nonfootball injury; (iii) a Club’s Practice or Developmental Squad; or (iv) a Club’s Injured Reserve List.

A player with one credited season would be tendered for a 1-year deal worth $555,000. It goes up to $630,000 for those with two credited seasons. The rare player without a credited season would be at $480,000.

How and When He Joined the Browns: Vitale was a 6th round pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2016. He was on the Buccaneers’ practice squad until mid-October, when the Browns signed him to their active roster. Two weeks later, Cleveland waived FB Malcolm Johnson, making Vitale the team’s new primary fullback by default.

Productivity Level Last Season: Heading into camp, there was a little bit of hype surrounding Vitale and the impact he could have as a receiver. In 15 games, he had a whopping 3 catches for 19 yards. Being behind in the box score so often didn't help his playing time, as he saw just 12.3% of the offensive snaps. He also played a lot on special teams.

Why Keeping Him Could Make Sense: Vitale has looked like a fine fullback and has two years with the club. If ever used correctly, he can be a sneaky receiving option out of the backfield.

What the Browns Should Do: Cleveland should give him the minimum tender of $630,000. A two year deal worth the minimum might be better, to reduce the amount he'd otherwise make as a RFA in 2019.

Let us know below whether or not the team should try to tender or re-sign Danny Vitale!

Poll

Should the Browns tender FB Danny Vitale?

This poll is closed

  • 89%
    Yes
    (790 votes)
  • 10%
    No
    (89 votes)
879 votes total Vote Now

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