2 Things The Browns Did Right With Final Roster Moves

The Cleveland Browns solved their most pressing roster dilemma by placing quarterback Dillon Gabriel on injured reserve, thereby allowing them to protect rookie Taylen Green from the possibility of a waiver claim or a better opportunity elsewhere. It was a savvy strategic move that could pay dividends down the road.

The Browns had other crucial roster decisions to make as they got down to the league’s 53-man limit on Sunday. They came at wide receiver and on the offensive line, which was to be expected with the overhaul in personnel those positions were facing.

Fortunately, the Browns did two things right in sorting out those positions, choosing Malcahi Corley over Luke Floriea at wide receiver and Zak Zinter over KT Leveston on the offensive line.

Floriea was a fan favorite as an Ohio high school star who went on to play at Kent State. He was the kind of underdog story that draws a lot of interest during training camp and the preseason.

But he is not a better NFL player than Corley is, at least right now. A third-round pick by the New York Jets in the 2024 NFL Draft, Corley has shown versatility on offense that earned him the nickname of “YAC King” at Western Kentucky.

At 5-foot-11, 215 pounds, Corley is a much more powerful player than Floriea, who, at 5-foot-8, 180 pounds, was likely to struggle with the demands of the regular season. Corley also will contribute on special teams, both as a kick returner and in coverage, something Floriea did not show the ability to do, making him a much better choice for the Browns this season.

Meanwhile, Zinter may have saved his NFL career by landing one of the final spots among Cleveland’s 10 offensive linemen. Another third-round pick from the 2024 draft, he entered the league coming off a serious leg injury he suffered in his final season at the University of Michigan, which, along with a back injury last season, hindered his development.

Now looking much more mobile, Zinter has given himself a chance as a backup interior lineman. The Browns were looking for someone to challenge starting right guard Teven Jenkins and gave Leveston every opportunity to do so, but when he did not succeed there, he was moved back to tackle, where his shortcomings as a pass blocker were too much to overcome.

Cleveland made the right choice to see what Zinter’s upside might be now that he appears fully healthy, and he is another depth player who could wind up playing a key role this year.