Cleveland Browns Training Camp 2018: OL Preview, Part 3

In Part 3 of our training camp preview on the Cleveland Browns’ offensive line, we look at some more of the offensive lineman trying to secure a depth spot on the roster.

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9. Austin Reiter - Backup Center

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 300 lbs | Age: 26
Experience: 3 years | College: South Florida

We all remember Austin Reiter’s claim to fame — he made one start in 2016 in place of an injured Cameron Erving and looked pretty impressive, but suffered a torn ACL. The fact that he was able to still make the roster in 2017 as a backup center, coming off of that injury, is a testament to what the coaching staff thinks of him, considering that J.C. Tretter had injury concerns from the previous year. If the team needed a next man up, Reiter was waiting in the wings all year.

Instead, Reiter only saw eight snaps all season on offense, with the rest of his time coming on special teams. Reiter won’t be contending for the starting center job in camp this year, but I think the team would still like to keep him as a backup, and he doesn’t face much competition for that role in camp.

Final Roster Odds: 75%

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10. Anthony Fabiano - Backup Guard/Center

Height: 6-4 | Weight: 303 lbs | Age: 24
Experience: 1 year | College: Harvard

Anthony Fabiano was claimed off waivers from the Indianapolis Colts in mid-May, but was a member of the Browns in 2016 when he played in four games, including one start. He was also with Hue Jackson and company in camp last year, but did not make final roster cuts.

Fabiano can play guard or center, but I think it will be the guard position where he tries to win a backup role at. His primary competition could be Spencer Drango; if Drango won the battle last year, you would figure that he’ll win it again.

Final Roster Odds: 20%

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11. Desmond Harrison - Rookie Offensive Tackle

Height: 6-6 | Weight: 295 lbs | Age: 24
Experience: Rookie | College: West Georgia

The dark horse candidate for the Browns’ left tackle job is Desmond Harrison. He might have a real shot at the opening if the team had not selected Austin Corbett, but he can still make an impression as one of the team’s two primary backup tackles.

Despite being an undrafted free agent, Cleveland’s interest was high enough in him that they used one of their 30 pre-draft visits on him. Harrison was projected to be a 5th or 6th round pick, but character concerns lowered his stock. Here is what Bleacher Report said about him:

“Harrison comes into the league with character concerns. He started out as a JUCO All-American out of Contra Costa Community College and transferred to Texas. According to NFL Media analyst Lance Zierlein, Texas suspended him twice, and Harrison went through a two-year gap without football before resurfacing at West Georgia. The time away from the field didn’t hurt his play, as he was a quality starter at left tackle in 10 games.”

Here is a link of some of Harrison’s highlights from college:

Final Roster Odds: 40%

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12. Avery Gennesy - Backup Offensive Lineman

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 318 lbs | Age: 24
Experience: 1 year | College: Texas A&M

Avery Gennesy was an undrafted free agent in 2017 who signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars and spent part of the season on the team’s practice squad. He can play guard or tackle. During the 2017 NFL Draft, NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein originally projected him to be a fifth round pick, offering the following assessment on him:

“Gennesy was a former junior college transfer who displayed the athleticism that allowed Texas A&M to keep Germain Ifedi at right tackle in 2015. Foot quickness could make him a target of teams who ask more from their tackles in the run game, but his lack of bend could create consistent issues against bull-rushers. While teams could try him at guard, he will likely stay outside at tackle and compete as a swing tackle right away.”

Funny enough, Zierlein also had a quote from an anonymous scout from the AFC North, who said “He’s unique because he’s athletic and has great feet, but his hips are stiff. He’s not strong enough to play guard and his anchor could get quarterbacks hit too much.”

Final Roster Odds: 20%