Tag: Drake Dorbeck

Browns waive OL Drake Dorbeck

Dorbeck opted out of 2020 as an undrafted rookie

In the flurry of free agency activity, the Cleveland Browns slipped a minor transaction into the mix. On Wednesday the Browns waived reserve offensive lineman Drake Dorbeck.

Dorbeck never suited up for the Browns. After signing with the team as an undrafted free agent, the rookie tackle from Southern Miss chose to opt out of the 2020 season.

He is subject to waiver claims. After that, Dorbeck will be free to sign with any other NFL team. The Browns have no dead money due on Dorbeck’s contract.

Kevin Stefanski: Browns will ‘continue to look at’ building OL depth after 3 opt-outs

Josh Kline is the best available free agent fit

After three reserves along the Browns offensive line chose to opt out of playing in the 2020 NFL season, the depth chart at guard looks perilously thin in Cleveland. New Browns coach Kevin Stefanski is acutely aware of the shortage of bodies after Drew Forbes, Malcolm Pridgeon and Drake Dorbeck all opted out.

Stefanski strongly hinted that the team will be making a move or two in order to bolster the roster for training camp and perhaps even the upcoming season. Coach Stefanski addressed the dearth of OL depth in a Zoom teleconference with reporters.

It’s certainly something that we’ll continue to look at,’’ the rookie coach said. “As it pertains to practice reps, you have to get your starters ready. You also have to get your backups ready this year. We have to be very mindful of how we divvy up those reps. I’ve sat down with the coaches already and we have a plan for that, but I don’t think it is a season where you just say, ‘Hey, I’m just getting my starters ready.’ I think that may not be smart.”

Stefanski later added that they’re not just looking for players that are easily disposed of after training camp usage.

“I think we need good players,” Stefanski stated. “I think (GM Andrew Berry) and his staff are going to work really hard at all of these positions. If we should have a need somewhere, we want to get a good player in here. We want to make sure that we are bringing guys in who have a chance to develop.”

There aren’t many players available who fit that criteria. One who is: former Vikings and Titans starter Josh Kline, who played under Stefanski in Minnesota last season. Other veteran options include Cordy Glenn, Ron Leary and Jon Halapio.

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Drake Dorbeck: What the Browns are getting in their undrafted OT

Drake Dorbeck: What the Browns are getting in their undrafted OT from Southern Miss

It is no secret that the biggest issue heading into the 2020 offseason for the Cleveland Browns was the offensive line. Not only did Cleveland address that position with a big addition in free agency in Jack Conklin, but they selected offensive tackle Jedrick Wills in the first round. Apparently, the Browns are not done as they added another potential depth piece after the draft was completed.

Name: Drake Dorbeck

Position: Offensive Tackle

School: Southern Mississippi

Height: 6-7

Weight: 317 pounds

Strengths: The first thing you notice about Dorbeck is his ideal size to play the position. Going around his length is going to take a defender days. He is not a waist-bender and understands the leverage game, consistently getting into good position. Dorbeck has a strong initial punch that disrupts pass rushers and the ideal strength to hold onto the block.

Weaknesses: It is not shocking that Dorbeck went undrafted as his footwork is just flat out not good and needs serious work before he is ready to contribute at all. His footwork is not just sloppy, but also slow and this may have gone largely unnoticed in the Conference USA. It will be an issue in the NFL. Dorbeck also lacks any kind of mean streak, failing to put guys into the dirt even on reps where he clearly can.

Overall: Despite the Browns needing to add solid depth to the offensive line, I don’t see Dorbeck being a factor. He is going to require a redshirt season and even after that his upside is minimal. He does check a lot of intriguing boxes, especially with his size, but with another undrafted free agent in Alex Taylor in the mix, Cleveland doesn’t appear to be a good fit for Dorbeck.

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