Josh Downs, Tyler Scott top offensive prospects for Browns at Combine
The NFL will be heading to Indianapolis in a little more than a week for the start of the NFL Scouting Combine. Those descending on central Indiana will also include a large collection of Browns executives and coaches.
There will be a lot of areas in which the Browns will be looking to find potential fits over the course of the week. Not all of those will be players they draft, either because someone else takes them or because they eventually become undrafted free agents.
Still, by the time the Combine ends with the final workouts on March 5, the Browns should have a better idea of where prospects fit on their board heading into the next phase of the pre-draft process. Once the Combine ends, it’ll be time for the Pro Day circuit to heat up through March.
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For now, the focus is on the 319 individuals who were invited to Indianapolis to get poked and prodded by teams. Specific to this list, the focus is on five offensive prospects who could fit needs for the Browns once they hunker down for the draft in April.
This list is in alphabetical order, not order of priority. Nor is it the only prospects who could/should catch their eye.
It’s merely a cross section of players to keep an eye on in Indianapolis. A similar list featuring five defensive prospects will be coming out later this week.
Tank Bigsby, running back, Auburn
Free agency is going to leave the Browns with, in all likelihood, only Nick Chubb and Jerome Ford remaining from those who were on the active roster last season. That provides opportunities for a player like Bigsby to potentially be on the Browns’ radar in late April. It’s not priority No. 1 among potential targets, but it would be a valuable addition. Bigsby’s going to have a chance to showcase the speed and athleticism he possesses during the Combine, having been a long jumper and sprinter in high school. However, Bigsby’s not just a speed back. He also possesses a powerful build that was fitting of the name “Tank.”
Nick Broeker, guard, Ole Miss
Again, these prospects are listed alphabetically, not in order or priority. Obviously, offensive line, especially on the interior, isn’t priority No. 1 on that side of the ball for the Browns. However, finding some quality reserves is something they’re going to have to do, especially with center Ethan Pocic and top interior reserve Hjalte Froholdt both being being free agents. That’s where a player like Broeker could come into the mix, especially in the mid to later rounds. A versatile lineman, he projects to play either guard spots, but was actually at tackle while playing for the Rebels. Broeker provides a toughness and good size at 6-foot-5 and 315 pounds that will help particularly in run blocking, at least at first.
Josh Downs, receiver, North Carolina
Downs isn’t a big receiver, listed at 5-10 and 175 pounds. It’ll be interesting to see what he officially checks in at when he’s measured in Indianapolis. Regardless of what that number ends up being, it doesn’t change the skill set Downs brings to the field. The former Tar Heel standout is capable of being a threat to all levels of the defense. He also has above-average hands, which hasn’t always been the case among past Browns draft picks.
Jayden Reed, receiver, Michigan State
The former Spartan was mentioned previously while talking about standouts from the Senior Bowl. Reed isn’t the biggest receiver, either, at 5-11, although he is 191 pounds. Still, the thing Reed flashed during his time at the Senior Bowl was his ability to create separation. That’s something the Browns haven’t had much of in their passing game, at least while No. 1 receiver Amari Cooper was battling a core muscle injury over the final five weeks of the season. Although Reed won’t be facing off against opposing defensive backs while he’s in Indianapolis, he will be able to show off more of his natural athleticism, building off his time in Mobile.
Tyler Scott, receiver, Cincinnati
Scott may not have been a household name even in Summit County when he graduated from Norton High School in 2020. However, after three seasons playing for the Bearcats, the receiver has fast become a player who many Browns fans could be clamoring for when the team makes its first selection in late April. The former high school running back is now a shifty and speedy receiving prospect after 87 career college receptions for 1,439 yards. A big showing at the Combine could help Scott continue to be one of the fast risers heading into the Pro Day portion of the pre-draft run-up. That could eventually lead him back to Northeast Ohio.
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