Browns hold tryouts for 7 players

A former XFL star with a Browns past is among the 7 trying out for the Browns on Wednesday

The last day of September provided an opportunity for seven current NFL free agents to show what they’ve got for the Cleveland Browns. The team held a formal tryout for a group of players on Wednesday, as reported on the NFL’s transaction wire.

The seven free agents invited to the audition in Berea:

Blake Countess – CB

Jordan Franks – TE

DeMarquis Gates – LB

Javon Leake – RB

DaMarkus Lodge – WR

Jared Rice – TE

Prince Smith – CB

Notable among the tryouts is Countess, who plays cornerback but also worked as a return specialist at both Michigan and Auburn in college. Gates was once briefly a Brown in the past, signing as an undrafted free agent with the team following the 2018 NFL Draft. He did not make it past rookie minicamp that year, but had an impressive turn in the XFL.